Martin Compston joins stars backing statue of Lisbon Lion in home town

The National

13-06-2025

The Tommy Gemmell Community Project is raising funds for a bronze statue of the footballing icon to be placed in his hometown.
Gemmell scored the first goal in Celtic's 1967 victory, which secured the team affectionately known as the Lisbon Lions the title of champions of Europe.
The statue would be placed in Craigneuk, where he grew up and lived when he first signed for Celtic at the age of 16.
His family, including his widow, Mary Gemmell, are part of the project, and she told The Glasgow Times how "important" it is to have the "special" man honoured there.
Tommy Gemmell won the European Cup with Celtic(Image: SNS Images) Scottish actor and proud Celtic fan Martin Compston has given his support to the bid for the statue, describing Tommy as "one of Scotland's greatest ever players" and also "one of our greatest characters too."
His support is joined by fellow actor Tony Roper, who shared a touching tribute to Tommy while sharing a story about him having hidden talents.
Roper tells the tale of being in Barcelona with their partners and going to an Argentinian steakhouse.
After eating, they're treated to entertainment from Argentinian Tango dancers who dazzle them with a complicated routine.
Once they're finished, he explains that Gemmell got up to dance with Roper's wife, Isabella, who had been a dancer for most of her life.
Gemmell then perfectly executed the technical dance routine, and Roper said, "he was sensational".
Roper finishes his story with a plea: "If you don't think a world-class footballer, who could do the Argentinian tango perfectly without breaking his partner's feet and also came from Craigneuk, doesn't deserve a statue there, I don't know what you need to do?"
A long list of Celtic legends, including John Hartson, James Forrest, and Daizen Maeda have supported the cause.
John Hartson spoke of the "wonderful man" and "great player" and how he was "privileged to meet him a few times".
Forrest and Maeda were videoed in their cars with t-shirts created by the project, which read "Lisbon 1967 Gemmell Craigneuk", and both shared the message 'support the Tommy Gemmell Community Project".
Gemmell's widow Mary said: "The statue is the main focus right now, but the idea behind it being a community project is that we want it to be so much more than a statue.
"Tommy was so proud of where he came from and was such a believer in helping people however he could – he went to every charity event he could.
"So to have his legacy be helping the whole community would be special for such a special man."
Mary Gemmell with some of the community project team (Image: Supplied) The initial target would see the statue made by world-famous sculptor Andy Edwards.
His work includes statues of the Beatles and football legends like Sir Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough, and Peter Taylor.
Further money raised would go towards helping the Craigneuk community.
The team project has a few events lined up, with a dinner dubbed an evening with John Hartson and special guests at Dalziel Park Hotel on August 15, and a golf day organised for September 5th.