The family then relocated to Craigneuk in Wishaw when Tommy was 5 years old. He started on the right wing for his high school team and only shifted to left back when his amateur team, Meadow Thistle, needed a full back. He joined Celtic from junior team Coltness United in 1961, having previously trained with the club twice a week. On the same night as Jimmy Johnstone, he signed provisional papers.

Tommy Gemmell earned the title of the world’s greatest ever left back during his trophy laden career at Celtic.