Jimmy Johnstone

He was, is and always will be the Greatest Ever Celt. Jimmy Johnstone, known and loved by the Celtic Family as ‘Jinky’, received that accolade back in 2002. It was one that was thoroughly deserved. He was the very definition of a mercurial talent, and while his ability with a ball marked him out as a unique player, his skills were harnessed for the good of the team.

It was Jock Stein who managed to achieve that, and the Bhoy from Viewpark was the exciting and unpredictable element in a squad full of world-class talent. The squad that Stein moulded into one of the best teams in the world, and certainly the best ever to have worn the green and white Hoops, were more than just an assortment of footballers who managed to click together to create something special. They did that, but they were a band of brothers rather than just a football team, and the bonds forged in the 1960s were ones that have never been broken.

The wee red-haired winger who had the heart of a Lion and football skills that were a gift from God.

The courage and bravery that Jimmy Johnstone displayed throughout his playing career in the face of incredible physical intimidation, also came to the fore when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, and his brave fight against that terrible illness was an example and inspiration to all.

Sadly, he lost that battle in March 2006, but he remains an integral part of Celtic Football Club, immortalised in the statue standing at the front of Celtic Park, and remembered in the memories of everyone who was lucky enough to see him play, and for those younger supporters who have been imbued with tales of the wee red-haired winger who had the heart of a Lion and football skills that were a gift from God.

PRELUDE TO PARADISE
The fledgling Jimmy Johnstone, while practicing non-stop on his own, also flexed his undoubted ability with his primary school, St John’s in Viewpark and secondary, St Columba’s in Uddingston while also playing for St Columba’s Boys’ Guild. He joined Blantyre Celtic in 1960 but his shock of red hair had already been noted by patrons of The Jungle when he was a ballboy at Celtic Park. Celtic would always have been favourites to capture his signature but news that Manchester United were sniffing around hurried up that process and he signed on November 8, 1961, just a few weeks after his 17th birthday.

DEBUT BHOY
On the evening of Wednesday, March 27, 1963, an injury-ravaged Celtic side travelled to Rugby Park to take on a high-flying Kilmarnock side they had already drawn 1-1 with back in October. Among those out were keeper, Frank Haffey, defenders Billy McNeill and John McNamee as well as regular playmakers and scorers such as Bobby Murdoch, John Hughes and John Divers. The already young and inexperienced Celtic team fielded featured three debutants in the shape of third-choice keeper, Dick Madden, centre-back John Cushley and the diminutive Jimmy Johnstone on the right-wing. The 2-0 half-time scoreline may not have been entirely unexpected but the home side turned the screw after the break and ran out 6-0 winners – few in the crowd could have realised that the wee No.7 would one day be voted the Greatest Ever Celt.

HIGHLIGHTS
The medals tell their own story as Jinky clocked up nine championship medals, four in the Scottish Cup, five in the League Cup and, the pinnacle of them all, the European Cup in 1967. His career, though, was littered with highs and there was a plethora of games where he just literally tore teams apart – sometimes seemingly single-handed. There was Alfredo Di Stefano’s testimonial in 1967 when 120,000 Real Madrid fans chanted ‘Ole’ every time Jinky bamboozled one of their own players. There was the famed Red Star Belgrade game when, with the game tied 1-1 at half-time, Jock Stein told Johnstone, who had a chronic fear of flying, that if the Hoops won by four clear goals then he wouldn’t have to travel to Belgrade – Jinky ran amok and scored twice, the second of those coming nine minutes from the end in Celtic’s 5-1 master-class. Then there was the 1970 European Cup semi-final when he corkscrewed the best Leeds United had to offer into the Hampden turf.

120,000 Real Madrid fans chanted ‘Ole’ every time Jinky bamboozled one of their own players.

BOWING OUT
If Jinky had been more on the ball he could have bowed out at the top with Billy McNeill in the Scottish Cup final 3-1 win over Airdrie at Hampden on May 3, 1975. As it was, it was a week earlier on April 26 in the much less glamorous surroundings of Muirton Park in Perth in a game that meant little to Celtic but a lot to St Johnstone. The Saints had to win to secure a place in the following season’s brand new Premier Division and, despite John Lambie missing a penalty in the fifth minute, they did just that. The 11,000 crowd saw Ronnie Glavin give Celtic the lead just after the hour mark but Jimmy O’Rourke equalised before the break. St Johnstone were awarded another penalty in the 67th minute and this time they scored. Jinky’s final game was a 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone in which he was replaced by Harry Hood.

CLASS IS PERMANENT
There are three statues outside the front of Celtic Park, and each subject has played a vital role in the club’s long and illustrious history. Brother Walfrid was our founding father, and without his vision, there may well never have been a football club here in the East End of Glasgow to support. Jock Stein was our greatest manager, delivering a golden era to the club that included nine league titles in a row and, of course, the European Cup triumph in 1967. Jimmy Johnstone stands alongside them, the player voted the Greatest Ever Celt by his fellow supporters. The statue was unveiled in December 2008, just over two-and-a-half-years after his sad passing, and it is a classic Jinky pose, ball at his feet, shoulders hunched and his body ready to twist and turn to leave opponents in a state of flux.

515 CELTIC CAREER APPEARANCES
League: 308, Scottish Cup: 48, League Cup: 92, Europe: 67

130 CELTIC CAREER GOALS
League: 82, Scottish Cup: 11, League Cup: 21, Europe: 16

19 CELTIC CAREER MAJOR HONOURS 
League Titles: 9, Scottish Cup: 4 League Cup: 5 European Cup: 1