Jimmy Johnstone

James Connolly "Jimmy" Johnstone (30 September 1944 – 13 March 2006), nicknamed "Jinky", was a Scottish football player. Johnstone was best known for his time with Celtic, and was voted their best ever player by the club's fans in 2002. He scored 129 goals for Celtic in 515 appearances.

Early life & career

Johnstone was the youngest of five children born to Matthew and Sarah Johnstone. He grew up in the family home on Old Edinburgh Road in Viewpark, South Lanarkshire, and he was educated at St Columba's primary school in Viewpark and then at St John's secondary school in Uddingston. In 2003, Johnstone stated that he was a Catholic.

His footballing ability first came to note at primary school, playing for the St Columba's team that won three trophies between 1953–54. The team at his secondary school, St John's, were less able but their Physical Education teacher, Tommy Cassidy, was a friend of Sammy Wilson who played for Celtic at the time and had scored in Celtic's 7–1 win over Rangers in the 1957 Scottish League Cup Final. Cassidy used his connections to get Johnstone a role as a ball boy at Celtic.