Funeral tributes to 'inspirational' former footballer Tommy Gemmell

Fans gathered outside the ground to pay their respects

Former footballer Tommy Gemmell, who died last week aged 73, has been described as "an inspiration" at his funeral service.

The Celtic great and Lisbon Lion, who won 18 Scotland caps, died on 2 March after a long illness.

The funeral procession left Celtic Park in the east end of Glasgow shortly after 11:30.

It travelled down the Celtic Way, then on to London Road and towards Daldowie Crematorium for the service.

Tommy Gemmell was one of Celtic's legendary Lisbon Lions who won the European Cup

Fellow members of the Celtic team which won the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967 were among the pallbearers.

They included Bobby Lennox, Bertie Auld, John Clark and Jim Craig, alongside former Rangers and Scotland winger Willie Henderson.

Other former Celtic players at the funeral included Danny McGrain, Andy Walker, Davie Provan and Frank McGarvey, as well as current manager Brendan Rodgers and former boss David Hay.

Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson attended on behalf of the Ibrox club.

The funeral cortege arrives at Celtic Park

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at the service

Lisbon Lions Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig, Bertie Auld and John Clark

The Celtic team, dubbed the Lisbon Lions, which won the European Cup in 1967. Tommy Gemmell is back row, second left

Jim Craig spoke at the service of how his former team-mate remained inspirational despite declining health in recent years.

Choking back tears, he said: "That once powerful frame began to weaken and Tam was confined to his bed, a situation such a strong athlete must have found really difficult to cope with.

"Yet, as his strength waned, I never once heard him complain and, frankly, the way he dealt with whatever came his way was a lesson to us all."

Parkhead hero Danny McGrain paid his respects

Of their playing days together, Jim Craig said: "Tam could be accused of being noisy, argumentative, flamboyant - he had the flashy suits and the car with the Colonel Bogey horn - and even cocky.

"But he also delivered - his scoring record an excellent one for a fullback, and his ability to drive home a penalty a great bonus.

"Probably his most famous goal was the equaliser in the European Cup Final, although with great modesty might I point out that he received such a perfect pass along the 18-yard line that his granny could have knocked that one in."

John Hughes, a surviving member of the European Cup-winning squad

Ex-Celtic striker Frank McGarvey and former Scotland international Eddie Gray attended the funeral

Floral tributes have been laid outside the stadium

Former Rangers player Willie Henderson and Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox were among the pallbearers

Ibrox legend Willie Henderson, left, joined Bobby Lennox and Jim Craig at the service for his great friend Tommy Gemmell

Tommy Gemmell's widow Mary was greeted by family, friends and fans

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell

Rangers board members Stewart Robertson and Andrew Dickson attended on behalf of the Ibrox club