Jimmy Johnstone
Encyclopedia
James Connolly "Jimmy" Johnstone (30 September 1944 – 13 March 2006) was a Scottish
football player. Johnstone was best known for his time with Celtic
, and was voted their best ever player by the club's fans in 2002. He scored 129 goals for Celtic in 515 appearances.
Born in Viewpark, South Lanarkshire
, the youngest of five children, Johnstone grew up at the family home on Old Edinburgh Road, directly across from Robertson Park, the home of local Junior side Thorniewood United FC. After being spotted by Celtic and Manchester United
scouts at age 13, he chose to sign with Celtic.
had instilled in the team the conviction that they could beat the superstars of Internazionale, Johnstone expected that Celtic would "get gubbed". He later recalled: "There they were, Facchetti
, Domenghini
, Mazzola, Cappellini; all six-footers wi' Ambre Solaire suntans, Colgate
smiles and sleek-backed hair. Each and every wan o' them looked like yon film star Cesar Romero
. They even smelt beautiful. And there's us lot: midgets. Ah've got nae teeth, Bobby Lennox
hasnae any, and old Ronnie Simpson
's got the full monty, nae teeth top an' bottom. The Italians are staring doon at us an' we're grinnin' back up at 'em wi' our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out o' the circus."
In the tunnel before the game, legend has it that he and Bertie Auld
led a Celtic chorus of The Celtic Song
much to the bemusement of the Inter players.
In the end, the Italian side had no answer to the free-flowing total football
of Stein's Celtic, exemplified by Johnstone, a style in polar opposition to Internazionale's defensive Catenaccio
style which had dominated European football. Johnstone described the Celtic style as "like the Dutch speeded-up". In the immediate aftermath of the Lisbon victory Celtic formed the opposition in the testimonial game for the Real Madrid player Alfredo Di Stéfano
. Johnstone's performance was such that the Real supporters began to cry "Olé!" every time he dribbled past one of their own team's players. Referring to his encounter with Johnstone in the 1970 European Cup semi-final, in what was billed at the time as the football "Battle of Britain", Terry Cooper of Leeds United described Johnstone as "my nightmare", such was the quality of his opponent's play.
In all he made 308 League appearances for The Bhoys, scoring 82 goals. He also played another 207 times for them in the Scottish Cup, League Cup and in Europe, for an overall total of 515 matches.
before moving to England in 1975, signing for Sheffield United. Johnstone also played for Dundee
, Shelbourne
and Elgin City
before retiring.
.
on the 25th anniversary of their triumph in the European Cup. In an aside, Paul McStay
, the then Celtic captain, asked Johnstone who he thought would win if the 1967 team was to play the team of 1992. Johnstone paused to consider for a moment, then replied that he thought it would be a draw. McStay suggested that perhaps the veteran was being kind to the current team. Johnstone explained -"well, you've got to remember that we're all in our fifties now!"
A documentary about Johnstone's life titled Lord of the Wing
first aired on the BBC in 2004. The film, narrated by Billy Connolly
, includes footage of his footballing highlights, as well as numerous tributes from the world of football.
In June 2005, Johnstone became the first living person since the time of the Tsars to have a Fabergé Egg
designed in his honour. The egg was designed by Carl Fabergé's granddaughter Sarah http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4072526.stm and was unveiled at the House of Commons
in June 2006. The entire collection of nineteen limited edition eggs sold out within days.
in November 2001. To raise funds for charity and to raise awareness of the disease, he launched a new version of the song "Dirty Old Town
" together with Jim Kerr
of Simple Minds
.
Johnstone died in March 2006. The last person to call him was old Rangers
rival, Willie Henderson
, who had become a firm friend of Johnstone. Thousands of Celtic fans, and fans of many other clubs, including those of arch-rivals Rangers
paid tribute to his memory outside Celtic Park
on St Patrick's Day, the day of his funeral service. Tributes were paid to Johnstone before the 2006 Scottish League Cup Final
, played between Celtic and Dunfermline
. There was a minute of applause before the game and the entire Celtic squad wore the number 7 on their shorts in his honour.
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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...
football player. Johnstone was best known for his time with Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, and was voted their best ever player by the club's fans in 2002. He scored 129 goals for Celtic in 515 appearances.
Born in Viewpark, South Lanarkshire
Uddingston
Uddingston is a small town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is on the north side of the River Clyde, about seven miles south-east of Glasgow...
, the youngest of five children, Johnstone grew up at the family home on Old Edinburgh Road, directly across from Robertson Park, the home of local Junior side Thorniewood United FC. After being spotted by Celtic and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
scouts at age 13, he chose to sign with Celtic.
Celtic
Johnstone was one of the "Lisbon Lions", the team that won the then European Cup for Celtic in 1967. Jock SteinJock Stein
John 'Jock' Stein CBE was a Scottish association football player and manager. He became the first manager of a British side to win the European Cup, with Celtic in 1967...
had instilled in the team the conviction that they could beat the superstars of Internazionale, Johnstone expected that Celtic would "get gubbed". He later recalled: "There they were, Facchetti
Giacinto Facchetti
Giacinto Facchetti was an Italian football player. From January 2004 until his death, he was President of Internazionale, the club for which he played for his whole career during the 1960s and 1970s, playing 634 official games and scoring 75 goals. He played for the Internazionale team remembered...
, Domenghini
Angelo Domenghini
Angelo Domenghini is an Italian former footballer.Born in Lallio, province of Bergamo, he played for Italy in both the finals of the 1968 European Championship and 1970 World Cup. He played 164 times for Internazionale scoring 54 goals for the club. He also played for Cagliari. He ended his career...
, Mazzola, Cappellini; all six-footers wi' Ambre Solaire suntans, Colgate
Colgate (toothpaste)
Colgate is an oral hygiene product line of toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes and dental floss.-Duraphat:Duraphat is a professional strength paste intended for the treatment and prevention of dental caries....
smiles and sleek-backed hair. Each and every wan o' them looked like yon film star Cesar Romero
Cesar Romero
Cesar Julio Romero, Jr. was an American film and television actor who was active in film, radio, and television for almost sixty years...
. They even smelt beautiful. And there's us lot: midgets. Ah've got nae teeth, Bobby Lennox
Bobby Lennox
Robert "Bobby" Lennox, MBE is a former Scottish professional footballer who played for Celtic Football Club and was a member of their 1967 European Cup winning team known as the Lisbon Lions. He also earned ten international caps for his national team Scotland...
hasnae any, and old Ronnie Simpson
Ronnie Simpson
Ronald "Ronnie" Campbell Simpson was a Scottish football goalkeeper. He is mainly remembered for his time with Celtic, where he was one of the Lisbon Lions, the first British team to win the European Cup in 1967....
's got the full monty, nae teeth top an' bottom. The Italians are staring doon at us an' we're grinnin' back up at 'em wi' our great gumsy grins. We must have looked like something out o' the circus."
In the tunnel before the game, legend has it that he and Bertie Auld
Bertie Auld
Robert "Bertie" Auld is a Scottish former football player and manager, perhaps most notable as a member of Celtic's Lisbon Lions side of 1967. As a player, he made more than 200 appearances in the Scottish League playing for Celtic, Dumbarton and Hibernian, and more than 100 in the Football League...
led a Celtic chorus of The Celtic Song
The Celtic Song
The Celtic Song is the song played over the public address system at Celtic Park, Glasgow when the Scottish football team, Celtic, run on to the pitch before kick-off...
much to the bemusement of the Inter players.
In the end, the Italian side had no answer to the free-flowing total football
Total Football
"Total Football" is the label given to an influential tactical theory of association football in which any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in a team. It was pioneered by Dutch football club Ajax from 1969 to 1973, and further used by the Netherlands National Football...
of Stein's Celtic, exemplified by Johnstone, a style in polar opposition to Internazionale's defensive Catenaccio
Catenaccio
Catenaccio is a tactical system in football with an emphasis on defence. In Italian, catenaccio means "door-bolt", implying a highly organized and effective backline defense which is intended to prevent goals.-History:...
style which had dominated European football. Johnstone described the Celtic style as "like the Dutch speeded-up". In the immediate aftermath of the Lisbon victory Celtic formed the opposition in the testimonial game for the Real Madrid player Alfredo Di Stéfano
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé, born into a family of Italian immigrants from Capri, is a former Argentinian footballer and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time...
. Johnstone's performance was such that the Real supporters began to cry "Olé!" every time he dribbled past one of their own team's players. Referring to his encounter with Johnstone in the 1970 European Cup semi-final, in what was billed at the time as the football "Battle of Britain", Terry Cooper of Leeds United described Johnstone as "my nightmare", such was the quality of his opponent's play.
In all he made 308 League appearances for The Bhoys, scoring 82 goals. He also played another 207 times for them in the Scottish Cup, League Cup and in Europe, for an overall total of 515 matches.
Later career
He played for the San Jose Earthquakes of the North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
before moving to England in 1975, signing for Sheffield United. Johnstone also played for Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
, Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
and Elgin City
Elgin City F.C.
Elgin City Football Club are a semi-professional football team based in Elgin, Moray. They currently compete in the Scottish Third Division....
before retiring.
International career
Johnstone won 23 caps for the Scottish international sideScotland 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...
.
Later life
Johnstone's dry wit was in evidence when the Lisbon Lions were paraded at Celtic ParkCeltic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
on the 25th anniversary of their triumph in the European Cup. In an aside, Paul McStay
Paul McStay
Paul Michael Lyons McStay MBE, nicknamed the Maestro , is a former football player who spent his entire career with Scottish team Celtic F.C., making his debut in 1982 and retiring in 1997. He captained both Scotland and Celtic at all age levels...
, the then Celtic captain, asked Johnstone who he thought would win if the 1967 team was to play the team of 1992. Johnstone paused to consider for a moment, then replied that he thought it would be a draw. McStay suggested that perhaps the veteran was being kind to the current team. Johnstone explained -"well, you've got to remember that we're all in our fifties now!"
A documentary about Johnstone's life titled Lord of the Wing
Lord of the Wing
Jimmy Johnstone: Lord of the Wing is a 2004 documentary narrated by Scottish comedian Billy Connolly, on the career of Jimmy 'Jinky' Johnstone, a Celtic FC and Scottish footballer in the 1960s and '70s and voted Celtic's greatest ever player by the fans of the club.The biographical film includes...
first aired on the BBC in 2004. The film, narrated by Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
, includes footage of his footballing highlights, as well as numerous tributes from the world of football.
In June 2005, Johnstone became the first living person since the time of the Tsars to have a Fabergé Egg
Fabergé egg
A Fabergé egg is any one of the thousands of jeweled eggs made by the House of Fabergé from 1885 to 1917. Most were miniature eggs that were popular gifts at Eastertide...
designed in his honour. The egg was designed by Carl Fabergé's granddaughter Sarah http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4072526.stm and was unveiled at the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
in June 2006. The entire collection of nineteen limited edition eggs sold out within days.
Motor neurone disease and death
Johnstone was diagnosed with motor neurone diseaseMotor neurone disease
The motor neurone diseases are a group of neurological disorders that selectively affect motor neurones, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, swallowing and general movement of the body. They are generally progressive in nature, and can cause...
in November 2001. To raise funds for charity and to raise awareness of the disease, he launched a new version of the song "Dirty Old Town
Dirty Old Town
"Dirty Old Town" is a song written by Ewan MacColl in 1949 that was made popular by The Dubliners and has been recorded by many others since.-History:...
" together with Jim Kerr
Jim Kerr
James "Jim" Kerr is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Simple Minds who achieved five UK #1 albums and a #1 single "Ballad of the Streets EP". He released his first solo album, Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr, on the 27 May 2010.- Simple Minds :Kerr attended...
of Simple Minds
Simple Minds
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The band produced a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the early 1980s and best known for their #1 US, Canada and Netherlands hit single "Don't You ", from the soundtrack of the...
.
Johnstone died in March 2006. The last person to call him was old 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...
rival, Willie Henderson
Willie Henderson
William "Willie" Henderson is a retired Scottish football player. He played most of his career for Rangers, and spent the latter part of his career with Sheffield Wednesday, in Hong Kong with Hong Kong Rangers and with Airdrieonians. He was a prolific winger...
, who had become a firm friend of Johnstone. Thousands of Celtic fans, and fans of many other clubs, including those of arch-rivals 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...
paid tribute to his memory outside Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
on St Patrick's Day, the day of his funeral service. Tributes were paid to Johnstone before the 2006 Scottish League Cup Final
2006 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2006 Scottish League Cup Final was a football match played on 19 March 2006 at Hampden Park in Glasgow. It was the final match of the 2005–06 Scottish League Cup and the 59th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Dunfermline Athletic and Celtic...
, played between Celtic and Dunfermline
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
. There was a minute of applause before the game and the entire Celtic squad wore the number 7 on their shorts in his honour.
Career statistics
|-|1962-63||rowspan="13"|Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
||rowspan="13"|Division One
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
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|-
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North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
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|1975-76
The Football League 1975-76
-Overview:The 1975–1976 season was the 76th completed season of The Football League.-First Division:Liverpool won their first major trophy under Bob Paisley by narrowly winning the league title after heated competition from Queens Park Rangers. They also lifted the UEFA Cup for the second time in...
||rowspan="2"|Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
||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....
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|1976-77
The Football League 1976-77
-Overview:The 1976–1977 season was the 77th completed season of The Football League.As of this season, goal difference was used to separate the clubs finishing level on points. The earlier system, used from the season 1894–95 until the 1975–76 had been the so-called goal average , or more properly...
||Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
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|1977-78||Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
||Division One
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
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|1977-78||Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
||Premier Division
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
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|1978-79||Elgin City
Elgin City F.C.
Elgin City Football Club are a semi-professional football team based in Elgin, Moray. They currently compete in the Scottish Third Division....
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Honours
- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe 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...
(1) - Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
(9) - 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...
(4) - 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...
(5)