Allan Johnston
Encyclopedia
Allan 'Magic' Johnston is a Scottish
international
professional association footballer currently signed to Queen of the South
where he is now also the first team coach
.
, becoming a first-team regular in the mid-1990s. In January 1996, Johnston scored his first career hat-trick
, scoring all three goals in a 3–0 win against Rangers
at Ibrox
. He picked up a Scottish Cup
runners-up medal that season in the defeat to Rangers where Brian Laudrup
dominated the final.
side Sunderland
as they were relegated to the Football League First Division
. Although Sunderland were defeated in the 1998 play-off final, the club won the title the following season. During the summer of 1999, with just one year left on his contract, Johnston began negotiations about an extension. During this time, interest in Johnston was expressed by Rangers
and after negotiations broke down with Sunderland, Johnston stated his desire to move to Glasgow
. Despite previously being a first-team regular he never appeared for Sunderland in 1999–00 season and was subsequently loaned to Birmingham City
and Bolton Wanderers
, the latter with whom he appeared in both the F.A. Cup and League Cup
Semi-Finals. In the FA Cup semi final against Aston Villa he was one of two Bolton players to have their penalty saved by David James
as they crashed out in a shootout.
Allan was the scorer of the final competitive goal at Roker Park in a 3-0 win over Everton in the final home game of the 1996/97 season.
qualifying match against FBK Kaunas
. He scored twice more for Rangers, his strikes coming against Herfolge
in another Champions League
qualifier and Brechin in the Scottish Cup.
in a £600,000 deal, making his debut in the derby defeat to Newcastle United
the following weekend. Johnston scored in his second match against West Ham but failed to score again all season, missing February and March due to injury. The following season, Johnston spent much of the season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday
, scoring twice, having only played in two League Cup
matches for Boro, subsequently missing the entire 2003–04 season.
in August 2004, reuniting him with former Hearts management team Jim Jefferies
and Billy Brown
. In April 2007, with his contract about to expire, Johnston agreed a new two-year deal, which wasn't extended upon its expiry in June 2009, resulting in his release from Rugby Park
.
against Wigan Athletic
. After the match, manager Gus MacPherson
said that he would love to sign him, but felt he might be out of their price range. After making 10 appearances for St Mirren, he was released at the end of the season.
club Queen of the South
. He was then confirmed on the club's website as having signed a one year contract on 16 July 2010. Due to an injury in the CIS Cup First Round v Dumbarton his competitive league debut for Queens did not take place until he played central midfield in the 3-1 league win away at Cowdenbeath F.C.
on 22 August 2010. He scored his first QoS goal in a league win at Palmerston Park
against Partick Thistle on 18 September 2010.
The club announced on 21 June 2011 that he had signed a contract as player coach.
between 1999 and 2002, and has also been capped at under–21 level
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
international
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
professional association footballer currently signed to Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
where he is now also the first team coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Hearts
Johnston began his career with Heart of MidlothianHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, becoming a first-team regular in the mid-1990s. In January 1996, Johnston scored his first career hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
, scoring all three goals in a 3–0 win against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
. He picked up a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
runners-up medal that season in the defeat to Rangers where Brian Laudrup
Brian Laudrup
Brian Laudrup is a Danish former football player and current football commentator, pundit and analyst on TV3+. Along with former international goalkeeper Lars Høgh, Laudrup manages a football academy for marginalized youth...
dominated the final.
Sunderland
He finished the season with FA Premier LeagueFA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
side Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
as they were relegated to the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. Although Sunderland were defeated in the 1998 play-off final, the club won the title the following season. During the summer of 1999, with just one year left on his contract, Johnston began negotiations about an extension. During this time, interest in Johnston was expressed by Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and after negotiations broke down with Sunderland, Johnston stated his desire to move to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. Despite previously being a first-team regular he never appeared for Sunderland in 1999–00 season and was subsequently loaned to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
and Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, the latter with whom he appeared in both the F.A. Cup and League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
Semi-Finals. In the FA Cup semi final against Aston Villa he was one of two Bolton players to have their penalty saved by David James
David James (footballer)
David Benjamin James is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bristol City.On 14 February 2009, he achieved the all-time Premier League appearance record with 536 appearances, overtaking Gary Speed. He held this record until being overtaken by Ryan Giggs on the 14th May 2011...
as they crashed out in a shootout.
Allan was the scorer of the final competitive goal at Roker Park in a 3-0 win over Everton in the final home game of the 1996/97 season.
Rangers
At the end of the 1999–00 season, having not featured for Sunderland in the entire campaign, Johnston moved to Rangers on a free transfer, scoring on his debut in a Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifying match against FBK Kaunas
FBK Kaunas
Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :...
. He scored twice more for Rangers, his strikes coming against Herfolge
Herfølge Boldklub
Herfølge Boldklub is a Danish football club founded in 1921. It is based in Herfølge, a southern suburb of Køge in the eastern part of Zealand. In 2009, the club shared it's licence, and merged it's professional football with Køge BK to form HB Køge....
in another Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifier and Brechin in the Scottish Cup.
Middlesbrough
Little over twelve months later, in late August 2001 and with the FA Premier League season already underway, Johnston moved to MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in a £600,000 deal, making his debut in the derby defeat to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
the following weekend. Johnston scored in his second match against West Ham but failed to score again all season, missing February and March due to injury. The following season, Johnston spent much of the season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, scoring twice, having only played in two League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
matches for Boro, subsequently missing the entire 2003–04 season.
Kilmarnock
Johnston signed for KilmarnockKilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
in August 2004, reuniting him with former Hearts management team Jim Jefferies
Jim Jefferies
James "Jim" Jefferies is a Scottish football former player and manager. Jefferies played for Heart of Midlothian for almost his whole playing career and enjoyed a successful first managerial spell with the club, winning the 1998 Scottish Cup...
and Billy Brown
Billy Brown
- People :*Billy Brown , English professional footballer*Billy Brown , football player who played as a right half, right back, outside right for Luton Town, Huddersfied Town, Brentford and Leyton Orient in the Football League*Billy Brown , Scottish football player and coach*Billy Brown - People...
. In April 2007, with his contract about to expire, Johnston agreed a new two-year deal, which wasn't extended upon its expiry in June 2009, resulting in his release from Rugby Park
Rugby Park
Rugby Park is a football stadium situated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock. It was first used in 1899 and is the home of Kilmarnock F.C..It underwent a major redevelopment in 1994–95, becoming an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 18,128...
.
St. Mirren
On 8 August 2009, Johnston played in a trial match for St. MirrenSt. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
. After the match, manager Gus MacPherson
Gus MacPherson
Angus Ian MacPherson is a Scottish former football player and manager. MacPherson played for Kilmarnock for over a decade, making over 350 league appearances. After retiring as a player in 2003, he became manager of St. Mirren, a position he held until May 2010. MacPherson took St...
said that he would love to sign him, but felt he might be out of their price range. After making 10 appearances for St Mirren, he was released at the end of the season.
Queen of the South
In July 2010 Johnston played as a trialist in four games for DumfriesDumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
club Queen of the South
Queen of the South
For other uses see Queen of the South Queen of the South is an alternative title for the Queen of Sheba. The phrase Queen of the South is used in the New Testament and is attributed to Jesus Christ....
. He was then confirmed on the club's website as having signed a one year contract on 16 July 2010. Due to an injury in the CIS Cup First Round v Dumbarton his competitive league debut for Queens did not take place until he played central midfield in the 3-1 league win away at Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
on 22 August 2010. He scored his first QoS goal in a league win at Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park
Palmerston Park is a multi-purpose stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, south west Scotland. The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun. This is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith in Dumfries. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of...
against Partick Thistle on 18 September 2010.
The club announced on 21 June 2011 that he had signed a contract as player coach.
International career
Johnston made 18 appearances for ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
between 1999 and 2002, and has also been capped at under–21 level
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
.
Honours
- Heart of Midlothian - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Runner-up 1995–961995-96 in Scottish footballThe 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points ....
- Kilmarnock - Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
Runner-up 2006–072006-07 in Scottish footballThe 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and...