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Jinky Tributes Irish Sports News Irish Message |
Finn
Location: Ireland
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Jinky Tributes
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A man to not be forgotten
And for some to know about, young Celtic fans, those passionate about their heritage.
This was a man who could not be caught
Dubbed the “Flying Flea” by the French press after an inspired display against Nantes in a European Cup tie, Johnstone was a God to the Celtic fans but never quite received the credit for his talent elsewhere in Britain, even after he tormented Leeds in the aggregate victory in the 1970 European Cup semi-final.
“Wee Jinky was out of this world at Elland Road,” teammate Tommy Gemmell reflected. “Terry Cooper, the Leeds left-back, must have nightmares every time somebody mentions Jimmy Johnstone because he gave him a total going over.
“Norman Hunter was shouting to Cooper, “Kick him!” Cooper turned around and said, “You come out and kick him. Hunter came out and tried to stick it on wee Jimmy. Wee Jimmy just waltzed round about him and nutmegged him.”
“Jimmy Johnstone”, his long-time team-captain Billy McNeill said, “could terrorise any defence”.
When Johnstone was in his element, bobbing, weaving, ducking and darting, he was poetry in motion and his ability to make defenders, particularly English ones, look ponderous and muscle-bound in their efforts to stymie his inventiveness and creativity, endeared him to football followers everywhere, even Rangers fans.
Jimmy Johnstone made 515 appearances for Celtic and scored 129 goals in the process. On the international front, he was only awarded 23 caps by Scotland.
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