Tommy Gemmell’s remarkable career with Celtic concluded in an unexpected setting: the Ta’ Qali Stadium in Malta. The pitch was dry and sparse, and only 10,416 spectators were present to witness his final game.
It wasn’t the dramatic farewell one might envision for a Celtic icon, celebrated for his goals in European Cup Finals in Lisbon and Milan, his World Club Championship appearance in Buenos Aires, and his status as Parkhead’s greatest-ever left-back with his bold, attacking style.
However, that’s how it ended on a sunny afternoon on November 3, 1971.
**Unexpected Start in Malta**
Sliema Wanderers shocked Celtic by scoring just one minute into the game, with Ronnie Cocks firing a powerful shot past goalkeeper Evan Williams while Gemmell was just short of stopping the play.
Jock Stein’s team eventually adjusted to the difficult pitch, with Harry Hood scoring the equalizer just before halftime. Bobby Lennox then sealed the win with a header 10 minutes into the second half. This match also marked the final Celtic appearance for 20-year-old striker Steve Hancock, who substituted for Vic Davidson. For Hancock, it was both his debut and his only game in Celtic colors.
After scoring in the first leg 5-0 victory in Glasgow, Gemmell departed the field without knowing this would be his last game for Celtic. Three days later, Jim Brogan replaced him in a 1-1 home draw with Aberdeen, and Gemmell transferred to Nottingham Forest for £40,000 on December 17.
Although he passed away in March 2017 at the age of 73, Gemmell’s legacy as a Celtic legend remains, his memory forever cherished by the fans.
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