It’s difficult to get across what a massive talent Jimmy Johnstone was, but I suppose his record pretty much speaks for itself.
A key, probably the key member of Jock Stein’s amazing Celtic side of the 60’s and early 70’s, Johnstone won 4 Scottish Cups, 5 League Cups, 9 Championships and of course the biggest prize of all, The European Cup in 1967.
He also played 23 times for his country, a ridiculously low amount for a man of his talent, but then, he was a man who often riled the stuffy officials at the SFA.
His chances of playing in the 1974 World Cup were dashed for example when a nocturnal drunken boat trip was uncovered by a furious then manager Willie Ormand.
And that’s the point I’m trying to make I suppose. As brilliant a player as he was, he was also an infectious personality, bubbly, funny and always joking around.
He was an avid advocate of the game, giving his time to visit schools and encourage kids to take up the game. He was also an intelligent football man, serving as an amusing and articulate panellist on Scotsport with Rangers legend Willie Henderson, back in the days when Scotsport was a real programme.
He must also have been one of the world’s most fouled players. A brilliant winger who had total ball control, an excellent range of passing, perfect balance, a shot on him and the ability to dribble in any direction he liked, his chief skills were actually bravery and tenacity.
In a era of much rougher play, many tried to literally kick him off the pitch; few achieved it.
Manager Jock Stein reckoned he was “…better than Stanley Matthews”. Certainly comparing him with any modern day player would show his counterpart in a less than flattering light.
Celtic fans voted “Jinky” their greatest ever player in 2002.
He played a total of 515 games for Celtic, scoring 130 goals and also played for San Jose, Sheffield United, Dundee, Shelbourne and Elgin before retiring.
He died today after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
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