| JIMMY
JOHNSTONE
'Wee Jinky' Johnstone
became a Celtic idol through his fiery performances and
his matching flaming red hair.
Born in Viewpark,
Lanarkshire in 1944, Johnstone's talent was evident from
an early age. When he was 13 he was approached by
Manchester United while playing for the Boys' Guild in
Viewpark, but Celtic Park's chief scout John Higgins
stepped in and offered Johnstone a ballboy job at
Parkhead. He signed for Celtic soon after and was farmed
out to Celtic Blantyre for a couple of years where his
skills made an instant impression.
Johnstone made his first
team debut in 1963 and quicly became a favourite amongst
the fans for his prowess on the wing. He went on to
become one of the world's greatest footballers with a
rare ability to take on players and open up defences. If
his talent had not been so exceptional, it is doubtful
that manager Jock Stein would have put up with his
hotheaded temperament for very long.
Unfortunately Johnstone's
flair was under-exploited by the national side. He was
never given the chance to prove his full potential at
international level, winning a mere 23 full caps for
Scotland during his playing career.
Johnstone scored more
than 100 goals for Celtic, and after leaving in 1975, he
had spells with San Jose Earthquakes, Sheffield United,
Dundee Shelbourne and Elgin City before being reinstated
as a junior with Blantyre Celtic. |