There were times when one feared that Steve Chalmers would not make it. There was the feeling that the gentlemanly Chalmers, always well dressed off the field and immaculate on it, who had suffered serious illness in the past, was simply not cut out for the tough world of professional football.

He was subjected to appalling abuse from his so called supporters on bad days (and there were many in the early 1960s) when he was played hideously out of position on the left wing for example.

But he came through it all, beginning to find the net more frequently in the mid 1960s and then when Jock Stein arrived, he found himself on the right wing on the day that they regained the Scottish Cup in 1965.

Photo imago/United Archives International 1967 European Cup Final Celtic v Inter Milan Chalmers (No9) of Celtic scores the second goal against Inter Milan during the European Cup Final. 27th May 1967

That day changed everything, and Chalmers, speedy, reliable and level-headed was moved to the centre and goals began to flow, particularly when men like Joe McBride and Willie Wallace arrived, men who were seen as partners and not rivals.

And of course there was a famous goal in Lisbon! One wonders what the cretins who used to abuse Chalmers so much were saying now! He won five caps for Scotland, four Scottish League medals, three Scottish Cup medals and four Scottish League Cup medals.

He later played for Morton and Partick Thistle, but he was always Steve Chalmers of Celtic, and his death in 2019 (round about the same time as Billy McNeill) was much mourned and lamented.

David Potter

HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!

The Celtic Star’s Father’s Day Promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!