A statue commemorating the lasting legacy of Celtic icon Tommy Gemmell was revealed in Craigneuk today, as hundreds gathered in his birthplace to honour one of Scotland’s most celebrated footballers.
The initiative was completed by the Tommy Gemmell Project Committee with backing from North Lanarkshire Council’s community partnership team and serves as a permanent tribute to the defender’s remarkable career and strong ties to the neighbourhood where he was born and grew up.
Relatives, figures from the football world and members of the local community came together on Shieldmuir Street for the event, with the turnout highlighting just how cherished and admired the Lisbon Lion remains — not only in Craigneuk, but well beyond.
Gemmell died on March 2, 2017, aged 73, after a prolonged illness.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was asked to address the crowd and opened with his trademark wit:
“Good afternoon, everyone. First of all, I didn’t ask to say a few words. I did not ask,” he said. “I was in a car coming from Lennoxtown training ground, about 25 minutes ago when I was asked if I could say something, I have had no preparation whatsoever.”
O’Neill spoke about lining up alongside Gemmell at Nottingham Forest in the early 1970s.“I do have a connection outside Celtic with Tommy, because Tommy and I played together at Nottingham Forest in late 1971. It was my first year there, I was 19 and Tommy was 104.
“Sorry Mary.”Looking back on Gemmell’s renowned European achievements, he added: “I was fawning all over him. I said Tommy, that was a great goal you scored in the European Cup final, and he said, ‘which one son’, which is absolutely true.
“So, Tommy not a modest man, there was no question about it. You couldn’t pay Tommy any higher compliments that he hadn’t already paid to himself.
“I’m delighted to be here. There is people here far bigger standing and better equipped to be speaking here today. But it was just that meeting I had for about four months with him and he was fantastic company, down in Nottingham Forest.”The statue campaign was led by the Tommy Gemmell Community Project, with founder Martin McCrum telling those in attendance that the day signalled the beginning of something greater than a monument.
“Craigneuk, we’ve done it,” he said. “Got to start by saying thank you — today is truly the start of something special.”
He commended the tireless work behind the scenes that ensured the unveiling went ahead.
“The fitting way to pay tribute to the effort that made this possible is you out there, but I also have got to talk about the committee. Unbelievable. The hours and hours they put in to make this dream into reality… What a team.”
McCrum highlighted supporters and organisers, including the Provost and the sculptor, stating: “Huge thanks go to Kenneth Duffy… And it has to be said, the finest sculptor on the planet for me, Andy Edwards.”
He then concluded with: ““Let’s mark this moment as something special, together. Let’s go celebrate, Craignuek style.”
North Lanarkshire Provost Kenneth Duffy said the event represented far more than the unveiling of a bronze figure.
“What a special day this is for Craigneuk and the wider community and for everyone who knew and loved and admired Tommy,” he said.
“We are here to reveal a statue, but we are also paying tribute to a man whose life, passion and character made a lasting impact within his community.
“Tommy was much more than a legendary footballer, he was a proud son of Craigneuk, a role model and someone whose name will forever be spoken with pride in this area.”
He added: “This statue will cement Tommy’s legacy to all of us. It will stand as a symbol of pride, inspiration and community, just like the man himself.”
Gemmell famously netted goals in two European Cup finals — including Celtic’s historic 1967 triumph over Inter Milan in Lisbon — and secured six league titles, three Scottish Cups, four League Cups and the European Cup across a distinguished career that helped transform the full-back position.
At 2.30pm, the statue was unveiled by Tommy’s wife Mary and daughter Karen to thunderous applause from the crowd, many of whom had stood patiently in the February cold to witness the occasion.
The ceremony ended with pupils from Berryhill Primary School performing The Power in Me, before a closing message echoed throughout Craigneuk: “Remember the great man that was Tommy Gemmell.”