Snooker legend John Higgins’ strong affinity for Celtic is well-known.
The ‘Wishaw Wizard’ is friends with figures such as Kieran Tierney and never goes too long without talking up the club in the media.
But he isn’t lavishing praise on the Hoops this week.
North Lanarkshire Council are working on a Tommy Gemmell statue, and as a fellow one of Lanarkshire’s favourite sons, Higgins is supporting the campaign.
But he isn’t happy that Celtic aren’t doing more for the commemoration of the legendary Lisbon Lion, who is one of few defenders to have scored in multiple European finals.
John Higgins slates Celtic over Tommy Gemmell statue
Gemmell is featured in the new exterior art around Celtic Park, but he doesn’t have a statue.
The campaign in Craigneuk will be a rightful commemoration of a legendary footballer who went from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of European football.
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Higgins is supporting the campaign for the statue in his hometown, inviting fellow supporters to the UK Snooker Championships in York.
He said: “I’m playing the first night.
“I’ve got a couple people coming down in support and got a couple of people who I’ve done some charity work for I’ve got them all expenses paid to come down, use my passes and take them behind the scenes and stuff.
“They’re raising a good bit of money for charity. It’s great to do things like that.
“This is for one of the Lisbon Lions. The Tommy Gemmell foundation, trying to get the statue erected in my hometown in Craigneuk.
“We’ve been running charity days and the funds are put in place and we’ll have a Lisbon Lions memorial up very soon which is great.
“You’d think the clubs would do more. People like the Lisbon Lions were so iconic for the club and every Celtic fan so you’d think the club would be doing these things.
“It’s baffling really that it’s up left to people to raise money themselves to honour one of their best ever sons.”
When Celtic became the first British side to win the European Cup
Celtic legend Tommy Gemmell’s career
A right-footed left-back, Gemmell joined Celtic on the same day as Jimmy Johnstone – not a bad day’s work for the club, it has to be said.
He went on to score in two European Cup finals, winning 22 trophies across ten years. He placed sixth for the Ballon D’Or twice.
He departed for Nottingham Forest in 1971 before heading to the USA to play for Miami Toros.
In his later years, he was part of a Dundee side that beat Celtic in the 1973 League Cup final.
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