Jimmy Johnstone

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Viewpark to Matthew and Sarah Johnstone, he developed his skills as a child by dribbling around milk bottles in the hallway. He once wore heavy pit boots while sprinting to strengthen his legs, believing it added three yards to his pace. After starting as a ball boy at Celtic, he briefly played for his local Boys Guild team before scout John Higgins persuaded him to sign youth terms with Celtic on the same day as Tommy Gemmell. He made his first-team debut on 27 March 1963 in a 6–0 defeat against Kilmarnock. Although manager Jock Stein initially doubted his fit within the team, Johnstone won him over and secured his place, winning his first winner's medal in the 1965 Scottish League Cup Final. In 1967, his trickery earned him the nickname 'the Flying Flea' from the French press after a tie against Nantes. Two weeks after the European Cup win, he starred in a testimonial match for Alfredo Di Stefano at the Bernabéu, setting up the only goal in Celtic's 1–0 victory over Real Madrid. Johnstone helped Celtic reach the 1970 European Cup Final, where he was double-marked against Feyenoord. His international career included scoring twice against England in 1966 and finishing third in the 1967 Ballon d'Or voting.

In Their Own Story

In November 1968, facing Red Star Belgrade, manager Jock Stein told Johnstone that if Celtic won by four goals, he wouldn't have to travel to Yugoslavia due to his fear of flying. Johnstone delivered an outstanding performance, scoring twice and assisting three others in a 5–1 victory. Later, during the 1969–70 European Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Hampden Park, his mazy run set up Bobby Murdoch for the winning goal. Leeds defender Terry Cooper later admitted he couldn't get near him.

Reader's Guide

Johnstone played as an outside right for Celtic from his debut in March 1963 until his departure after the 1970–71 season, though he made appearances through the late 1960s. He won nine consecutive Scottish championships with the club and was part of the squad that reached two European Cup finals (1967 winner, 1970 runner-up). After leaving Celtic, he played for San Jose Earthquakes, Sheffield United, Dundee (managed by former teammate Tommy Gemmell), Shelbourne, and Elgin City. He passed away on 13 March 2006.

Did You Know?

• He was the youngest of five children and grew up in Viewpark, North Lanarkshire.
• As a child, he practiced by dribbling around milk bottles in his hallway for hours every day.
• He finished third in the voting for the 1967 Ballon d'Or.
• In 2002, Celtic fans voted him their greatest-ever player.
• He once had to be rescued by the Coast Guard after a rowing boat drifted out to sea during a drinking trip before the 1974 World Cup.