On this Day in 1943 Celtic’s Rocket Man Tommy Gemmell was born…

Born On This Day in 1943, the late great Tommy Gemmell. Not many players can say they have scored in a European Cup final. Gemmell did it twice. The man from Craigneuk in Motherwell scored the crucial equaliser in Lisbon. He also scored the opening goal in the 1970 European Cup final against Feyenoord which sadly Celtic went onto lose 2-1 in extra-time.

Gemmell gives Celtic the lead in Milan in the 1970 European Cup Final against Feynoord. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Tommy Gemmell – Celtic Legend

Tommy Gemmell was undoubtedly one of the greatest full-backs in the club’s history. It was Jimmy McGrory who gave him his Hoops debut back in January 1963 versus Aberdeen. 417 appearances and 14 major honours later which included six league titles, three Scottish Cup winners medals, four time League Cup winner and the most important one in 1967, a European Cup champion, Gemmell would cement himself as a Celtic legend.

Tommy Gemmell, Photo The Celtic Star/IMAGO

Celtic’s Rocket Man

An interesting stat about the full-back’s time at the club is that he scored 63 goals across his eight-year spell, 31 of his strikes came from the spot. He was Celtic’s penalty king. In his autobiography he outlined, “I really missed being a Celtic player. That meant more than money.”

Tommy Gemmell CSC Dunblane banner at Celtic Park. Photo The Celtic Star

John Hartson and Henri Camera were on target

16 October 2004, Celtic 3-0 Hearts. Martin O’Neill’s side had started the 2004/2005 campaign in a positive manner winning seven of their first eight league games. This included a 1-0 victory against Rangers in the first Old Firm Derby of the season. The Henrik Larsson exit angst seemed to be over. When Hearts came calling it was another statement result. John Hartson and Henri Camera were on target. Juninho netted his first goal as a Hoops player. He done so past future Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon who was an impressive 21 year-old shotstopper breaking through the ranks at Tynecastle.

Henrik Larsson scores against Aberdeen on 16 October 1999 at Celtic Park. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Hat-tricks for Henrik and Viduka

25 years ago today, Celtic 7-0 Aberdeen. Hat-tricks for Henrik and Viduka as Celtic blitzed a woeful Aberdeen side. Berkovic scored the games opener. Ebbe Skovdahl’s Dons side finished bottom of the 1999/2000 Scottish Premier League but were not relegated as Aberdeen who were due to take part in a three-team play-off with Dunfermline and Falkirk failed to do so as the Falkirk Stadium did not meet sufficient SPL criteria, meaning the play-off did not take place. Thus, Aberdeen luckily survived top flight football.

Frank Connor in charge of Celtic in October 1993. Seen here at Easter Road on 16 October in 1-1 draw with Hibs, press cutting via The Celtic Wiki.

Celtic’s unbeatable Frank Connor

31 years ago today, Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. Following Liam Brady’s departure, Frank Connor was put in charge as interim manager. Connor had three games in the dugout as Celtic gaffer, he remained unbeaten, which in the early nineties, can be classed as a significant achievement. It was in the days of ‘sack the board’ which seemed to be gathering momentum. Gerry Creaney grabbed Celtic’s equaliser with five minutes remaining in the capital.