J | Jimmy Johnstone Pics | Lisbon Lions | Players

The greatest player in Celtic's history

Fullname: James Connelly Johnstone
aka: Jimmy Johnstone
Nickname: Jinky
Born: 30th September 1944
Birthplace: Viewpark, South Lanarkshire
Signed: [,,,]
Position: Winger, Midfield
Internationals: Scotland / Scottish League
International Caps: 23 Caps (4 Scottish League)
International Goals: 2

Biog

Jimmy Johnstone is perhaps Celtic's most revered and most famous ever player of modern times. Nickname Jinky for his ability to bob and weave past opponents and a member of the glorious Lisbon Lions, he was named by the supporters as the greatest ever Celtic player in 2002.

Jinky was born on the 30th September 1944 in Viewpark, South Lanarkshire. Obsessed by football, he was spotted by Celtic Park's chief scout John Higgins and joined the club at the ripe old age of 13. Jinky made his first team debut in 1963 (against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in a 6-0 defeat!) and endeared himself to the fans in the ensuing years with his dazzling displays of wing wizardry. During his career with Celtic, Jinky scored 130 goals in 498 games and won nine League Championships, four Scottish Cups, five Scottish League Cups, and one European Cup.

His international career was less successful. His debut was against Wales at Ninian Park on the 3rd October 1964, winning a mere 23 caps for Scotland during his playing career, scoring four goals. His time with the Scotland squad was often dogged by controversy, usually linked to Jinky's drinking habits. It was a disgrace that he did not grace the likes of World Cup Finals.

Johnstone's career with the club also had its ups and downs and he had several encounters with Jock Stein, who nevertheless recognised the man's ability with a football at his feet. The di Stefano testimonial against Real Madrid is reputed to be his greatest game in the hoops and di Stefano himself said that Johnstone was one of the best players he had ever seen.

Post-Celtic

After leaving Celtic in 1975, Johnstone had spells with San Jose Earthquakes, Sheffield United, Dundee, Shelbourne and Elgin City but his first love was Celtic and he maintained close relations with the club for the rest of his life.

Johnstone was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2002. Despite a brave battle against the disease, Johnstone died on 13th March 2006. Many tributes were left at Celtic Park by fans and thousands witnessed the funeral cortege passing through the streets of the east end of Glasgow.

A fund bearing Jinky's name continues to raise money for research into the disease. There are also three films available on dvd which bear witness to the man and his life at Celtic: "Jinky", "Lord of the Wing" and "A Bhoy's Tale".

Fabergé Egg

Jimmy Johnstone was immortalised in a range of diamond-studded Fabergé eggs created by descendants of the Tsar’s court jewellers. Jimmy Johnstone joins Thomas Jefferson and Lord Nelson in a select group of people who have inspired the creation of one of the glittering and precious objects.

• Link: Jinky Fabergé egg

Honours with Celtic

European Cup winner (1)
League
All---- Sub ----Goals
298--- 10 -------82

League Cup 87 -----5-------- 21

Scottish Cup 47 ------1 -------11

Europe 66 ----1 -------16

Articles

• Some Man The Jinky (Jimmy Wilde)
• Lord of the Wing (Football Weekly (Korea))
• "Memories of a giant wee man" (Nov 08)

Site links

• Quotes on and by Jinky
  
• Lisbon Lions
• Faberge Egg
• Statue at Celtic Park
  
• Jimmy Johnstone's Funeral

Pictures

• Player
• Post-Celtic
• Miscellaneous
• Tributes & banners

Songs

• Wee Jinky beats the rest
• O Jinky, O Jimmy Johnstone

Obituaries

• Obituaries

External Link

• Jimmy Johnstone - Webpage

Anecdotes

Jimmy Johnstone/Bertie Auld - Give me my score back!!!
It is well documented that Jimmy Johnstone did not like flying as evidenced by the Red Star Belgrade tale.

On another occasion when Celtic were on their pre-season tour of USA prior to 1966/67 season which culminated in the magnificent triumph in Lisbon.The team were en route to Bermuda and prior to the flight taking off Bertie Auld had borrowed £20 ( tapped a score as Bertie put it) from Jimmy.

Whilst in mid air the plane got into a bit of heavy turbulence and the passengers including the players were told to stay in their seats and fasten their seat belts which they all duly did.As the pilot struggled to deal with this ongoing situation the next thing anybody knew Jimmy had unbuckled his seat belt, is out of his seat and up the aisle to see Bertie and says to him "Ten!Ten! - Give me my score back just in case"!!!

Although in a serious situation the plane was in uproar at Jimmy's antics as Bertie pointed out to Jimmy if the plane went down he wouldn't have much need for the £20.

*Ten was Bertie Auld' nickname as in "Ten Thirty" rhyming slang for Bertie.