The Lisbon Lion, renowned for his pivotal role in the club’s historic 1967 European Cup victory, will be commemorated with a new sculpture to be installed on land between Glencairn Avenue and Shieldmuir Street.
A statue finally honouring the legacy of Celtic hero Tommy Gemmell is set to be unveiled in Craigneuk next month.
The Lisbon Lion, renowned for his pivotal role in the club’s historic 1967 European Cup victory, will be commemorated with a new sculpture to be installed on land between Glencairn Avenue and Shieldmuir Street.
And after a long fundraising campaign, news of the statue’s unveiling was revealed by Tommy’s wife Mary.
Speaking on the Tommy Gemmell Community Project’s Facebook page, Mary said: “Great news, we’re at the site and it has now been confirmed that the date for the statue launch is February 28 at 2pm.
“We are really looking forward to seeing everyone.”
Martin McCrum, from the community project, added: “This is going to be sensational. This whole area is going to be transformed and the excitement is at fever pitch.
“Exciting time and we’ll see you all at the installation and the opening.”
Martin also confirmed that supporters have until January 23 to buy a commemorative brick which will be placed at the statue and organisers believe these will sell out before the deadline.
He added: “The time and effort we have put into this has been incredible. We estimate there could be between 1,000 to 2,000 people there on the day and we have been liaising with the council, police and other authorities as well as the local schools.
“This will be an event for the whole community. It’s going to be very special.”
The statue, which is currently being worked on by celebrated sculptor Andy Edwards, whose work includes the statue of Alex Ferguson at Pittodrie, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor at Derby County and even Lemmy from Motorhead in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
In November last year, a sod-cutting ceremony was performed by Mary and North Lanarkshire Provost Kenneth Duffy at the site.
Provost Duffy commended the huge ongoing community efforts which have made this happen.
He said: “It was a privilege to mark the start of this fitting tribute to a local and national sporting icon.
“This would not be possible without the outstanding work and dedication of the Tommy Gemmell Project Committee, and the support from our council’s Community Partnership Team.
“Together, they are ensuring Lisbon Lion Tommy’s incredible legacy will be remembered for generations to come.”
In October, two packed out events helped move plans for the statue one step closer.
A fun-filled golf day, held at Wishaw Golf Day was followed by a tremendous dinner-dance at Dalziel Park which was also attended by Tommy’s family and friends, former Lisbon Lion team-mate Jim Craig and former Celtic players and famous fans.
Tommy Gemmell played over 430 games in the green and white of Celtic, scoring 69 times in all competitions.
He scored the first of Celtic’s two goals against Inter Milan in the 1967 European Cup Final, he also scored in the 1970 final against Feyenoord when they lost in extra time.
As a teenager he played with Coltness United and after leaving Celtic he went on to play for Nottingham Forest and Dundee, as well as a spell in Miami.
He went on to manage the Dark Blues and later Albion Rovers. Tommy passed away in 2017 at the age of 73.
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