Tommy Gemmell Statue Unveiled in Craigneuk
A statue commemorating Celtic and Scotland football legend Tommy Gemmell has been unveiled in his hometown of Craigneuk, North Lanarkshire.
Career Highlights
Gemmell was a key member of the Lisbon Lions team that secured the European Cup in 1967, scoring in the final against Internazionale. He also scored in the 1970 European Cup final, although Celtic were defeated by Dutch club Feyenoord. Gemmell spent ten years at Celtic, from 1961 to 1971.
During his career, Gemmell earned 18 caps for Scotland. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 73.
Family Tribute
His wife, Mary Gemmell, expressed her admiration for the statue, which was designed by artist Andy Edwards.
"This has always been about more than a statue. It's about bringing Tommy home and celebrating him in the community he loved so much."
"I can't thank everyone enough for the support, the fundraising and the kindness shown throughout this whole journey."
Memorial Details
The memorial initiative was led by the Tommy Gemmell Project Committee with assistance from the local authority. The statue includes a plaque inscribed with "Tommy Gemmell, Man of Steel," honoring the former Ravenscraig Steelworks that was a major presence in the area until its closure in 1992.
Community Reflections
Martin McCrum, a member of the committee, described the statue as a "great reminder" of Gemmell's journey from humble origins to European football prominence.
"I was lucky enough to call Tommy a close friend for many years.
We travelled together, did business together, and spent hours talking, not just about football, but about Craigneuk.
He never forgot his roots. He cared deeply about this area and the people in it."
Playing and Managerial Career
Gemmell played over 240 games for Celtic, securing 15 major honours after joining the club as a teenager.
Following his time at Celtic, the left back signed with English club Nottingham Forest, played in the United States, and later returned to Scotland with Dundee, where he won the League Cup in 1973. He also managed Dundee for three years and had two managerial spells at Albion Rovers.
International Career
Gemmell scored his only goal for Scotland in an 8-0 victory over Cyprus during a 1970 World Cup qualifying match.
