Mo Johnston

Young lad at the time, but vividly remember being on a family holiday up north somewhere, think we were in a wee pub got lunch and it came on the radio and knew it was a big deal from my parents reaction ( positive) . Knew enough about it myself to realise it meant a lot but they were both quite shocked but in a good way.
Some baws on him though. Deserves a lot of credit for that.
Similar. On a family holiday way down south of England visiting my cousins. Got back in the evening as had been out all day playing cricket (don't judge me....). Seen the news. Literally open mouthed as a wee guy. Phoning home to check It was real?
 
I know how I felt when Alfie Conn signed for Celtic so can only imagine how Celtic fans took the news that Maurice Johnston had signed for us. I had no problem Maurice signing for us because he had been a good player for Celtic and for Scotland.

He was a player who gave us 100% committment when he played for us. His last minute goal against Celtic was very special but his other two against them were technically brilliant too.

Obviously the opportunity is unlikely but if I met Maurice Johnston today, I would shake his hand. I would also do the same if Alfie and I met.
 
I can remember a few folk saying they'll no be back but they were on the supporters bus as usual come the start of the season.

I wasn't at the game he scored the late winner but remember listening to it on the wireless and my dad shouting Super Mo.

I was at the next OF game at Ibrox where he scored a brilliant goal. One of the best goals v Celtic I've seen live.
 
I remember years ago I was at a sportsmans dinner in the Greenock Rangers and Bill McMurdo was one of the guest speakers
Told a hilarious story about the day Mo Jo signed,him and Maurice were at Ibrox at the crack of dawn so no one would see him before the unveiling,like 6 am,when they got there they asked someone if there was a place were they could freshen up,they were getting a quick wash when they heard 2 cleaners coming into the bathroom and Bill and Maurice had to jump in a cubicle out the road,they heard the 2 cleaners talking and one of them said"heard there will be a big signing today,wonder who it will be" and the other cleaner replied,Ill take anyone as long as its not that 19th Century Terrorist johnstone,true story apparently

The place was in hysterics when he told it haha

Mc Murdo was a brilliant guest speaker
 
John Brown tells the story that Jimmy Bell the kitman (RIP) handed out chocolate bars to all the players after training or match.

Hands out all the players their favourite choc bar. Mo Johnston (recently signed) says, "Mines a Mars Bar, Jimmy". Jimmy dead serious retorts "You'll not be getting a bar until you score against Celtic".
 
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Even when we signed him not one of the Scottish press would give us credit for signing a Catholic even though they used it as a stick to beat us with

They said by signing Johnston in the circumstances we did it only inflamed things and we should have signed a non West of Scotland Catholic instead.

We tried to get Ray Houghton a year before but because of his background growing up in the gorbals it was a non starter due to the grief he would get from his family and the hordes, the same thing happened with John Collins a year after Johnston signed when we were in for him.

Ian Rush was another who was willing to come but again he wanted to be for footballing reasons and did not want the label of being the only Catholic in the team.
Didn’t know that about Rush
 
Think.t
I can remember a few folk saying they'll no be back but they were on the supporters bus as usual come the start of the season.

I wasn't at the game he scored the late winner but remember listening to it on the wireless and my dad shouting Super Mo.

I was at the next OF game at Ibrox where he scored a brilliant goal. One of the best goals v Celtic I've seen live.
Think that goal slips under the radar a bit because of his goal in November, cracking move and finish, played them off the park that Day
 
Didn’t know that about Rush
We tried to sign him in the summer of 87 because he had played with Souness at Liverpool but opted to sign for Juventus.

John Sheriden who played for Sheffield Wednesday and Ireland was linked with us but again you can understand players not wanting to come because of the hassle.

Souness did state at the very start he would sign a Catholic but it had to be somebody who would improve the team and Johnston certainly did that.

Always remember it was the filth who have had a problem with us signing Catholics not us. No doubt at the start Johnston signing for us did cause a section of the support to stop going to games and give up season tickets but they were in the minority.
 
I know how I felt when Alfie Conn signed for Celtic so can only imagine how Celtic fans took the news that Maurice Johnston had signed for us. I had no problem Maurice signing for us because he had been a good player for Celtic and for Scotland.

He was a player who gave us 100% committment when he played for us. His last minute goal against Celtic was very special but his other two against them were technically brilliant too.

Obviously the opportunity is unlikely but if I met Maurice Johnston today, I would shake his hand. I would also do the same if Alfie and I met.
Didn’t know that about Rush
Was only 14 and absolutely hated mo johnston . Wasn’t just that it was a catholic, sooner or later we would’ve but HIM !! Still today i think we didn’t need him
 
Was only 14 and absolutely hated mo johnston . Wasn’t just that it was a catholic, sooner or later we would’ve but HIM !! Still today i think we didn’t need him
You are entitled to your opinion. I thought of it as cold revenge for them signing Alfie Conn. We got two good seasons out of Johnston and he was an important player for us during that time.

I am bit confused you are saying you were only 14 but in your profile you claim to be 71. If both of those figures are correct, that would mean Johnston signed for us circa 1968.
 
Following on from my post # 109 about Jimmy Bell and Mo Johnston is another story.

When Mo Johnston signed for Rangers he met up with the squad at an Italian Training Camp arriving at a meal time.

McCoist ever the wind up merchant set up a separate, single chair and dining table with one knife, fork and spoon for Mo Jo well away from the players' table!

Cue great laughter when Mo Johnston arrived and was shown to his separate table!
 
You are entitled to your opinion. I thought of it as cold revenge for them signing Alfie Conn. We got two good seasons out of Johnston and he was an important player for us during that time.

I am bit confused you are saying you were only 14 but in your profile you claim to be 71. If both of those figures are correct, that would mean Johnston signed for us circa 1968.
Clearly im not THE Tin Man , Mr McMinn, likewise those with souness , i don’t think they are actually Souness , do you ???
 
Remember singing where's your Mo going at the cup final. Another thing at that final a huge green and white Union Jack in their end would never see that now.
Yes, you do still see one now and again.

F*ck knows what sort of warped meaning it will no doubt have for them, but yes they still show it.
 
He was a fantastic signing for 2 years, but as others have said, there was a bigger picture at the time - that died in the wool Celtic fans, even when they had the choice, would sign for us rather than them.
 
I'd say it was the goal itself that ended them

Going into that game in November, Celtic were top and we were 4th

By the end of the game we were top, they were 4th and they only won 5 games in the league for the rest of the season.
Remember going to see the Jesus and Mary Chain at Barrowlands after the game that night. High as a kite after the game and walking past the carnage on Gallowgate was beautiful.
 
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Even when we signed him not one of the Scottish press would give us credit for signing a Catholic even though they used it as a stick to beat us with

They said by signing Johnston in the circumstances we did it only inflamed things and we should have signed a non West of Scotland Catholic instead.

We tried to get Ray Houghton a year before but because of his background growing up in the gorbals it was a non starter due to the grief he would get from his family and the hordes, the same thing happened with John Collins a year after Johnston signed when we were in for him.

Ian Rush was another who was willing to come but again he wanted to be for footballing reasons and did not want the label of being the only Catholic in the team.
Alex Cameron in the Daily Record

“I applaud Rangers on ending their sectarian signing policy

The signing though is thoughtless and provocative “
 
Great for us for 2 seasons but the stress and hassle he got must have played a part in him leaving.
Can't remember what the reason for him leaving at the time was but I don't remember him having a slump in form or anything. Did he leave to let McCoist and Hately form a partnership?
 
Makes me laugh now how many people claim they knew he was signing for us.
I can remember the news in England had the signing and my aunty ringing me up and saying have you seen who the Rangers have signed and before I could answer she said she wasn’t impressed and put the phone down ! I’ve still got the follow follow edition number 8 about the signing.
 
Following on from my post # 109 about Jimmy Bell and Mo Johnston is another story.

When Mo Johnston signed for Rangers he met up with the squad at an Italian Training Camp arriving at a meal time.

McCoist ever the wind up merchant set up a separate, single chair and dining table with one knife, fork and spoon for Mo Jo well away from the players' table!

Cue great laughter when Mo Johnston arrived and was shown to his separate table!
The camaraderie between those players and mo was outstanding. They could do these sort of things knowing that mo was well able to take it. The footage of the team singing the sash in the background as mo is being interviewed is a classic. Brilliant player and character. Took them years to recover.
 
Do you know what newspaper mentioned him signing for Rangers first.The Sunday Post!!!
They has a piece about crazy transfer rumours about a month before he signed and in it the story said “perhaps the craziest rumour of them all Mo Johnstone is signing for Rangers”
 
This might be a Rangers 'urban myth' or perhaps not.

When Mo Johnston was first introduced to the team Souness in his usual quiet, reserved and unchallenging manner said, " Here's Mo Johnson, does anyone have anything to say?

Allegedly Davie Cooper said "Aye shouldn't f☆cking be here".

Strangely Coop didn't last too long after Mo Johnston signed.

As I reiterate, possible urban myth but the story seemed to be doing the rounds at the time.
 
Been a strong advocate for our protestant heritage as a club and our right to express the Protestant unionist Loyalist culture at the club. But have to admit. One of my top 3 rangers songs ever is WHO PUT THE BALL IN THE BEGGARS NET? MAURICE MAURICE, WHO PUT THE BALL IN THE BEGGARS NET MAURICE JOHNSTONE
 
It probably was due his history against Rangers.
He was a wee bastard when he played against us. When he got sent off at Hampden I was lifted by the polis from behind the dugout. When he signed I said I was not going back, but of course I did. I could not cheer him even when he scored against them, but I can readily admit he was a great signing for his ability which improved greatly during his time in France. Still would not speak to him right enough.
 
This might be a Rangers 'urban myth' or perhaps not.

When Mo Johnston was first introduced to the team Souness in his usual quiet, reserved and unchallenging manner said, " Here's Mo Johnson, does anyone have anything to say?

Allegedly Davie Cooper said "Aye shouldn't f☆cking be here".

Strangely Coop didn't last too long after Mo Johnston signed.

As I reiterate, possible urban myth but the story seemed to be doing the rounds at the time.
Davie was adamant he was not leaving Rangers, changed his mind soon afterwards. Source was from within Motherwell not Ibrox.
 
He was superb for Rangers, scorer of important goals, flexible enough to be able to play up front in a pairing with McCoist or effectively a front 3 with Mark Walters as well when we were going for it.

Johnston had a great ability to hang in the air for a header. I’ve seen some players able to do this but not many, he would jump for the header and seem to just have an extra second or two than you would expect. He was a fantastic header of a ball as well.
 
Just remembered that I bought a jacket online about 15 years ago from a sports shop in Kansas and the guy I was communicating with via email was a mad Rangers fan because of Mo and Gough.
He straight up said “Please tell me you are Rangers” and I sent back a pic of my bus flag. Got a cracking deal on the jacket, until I had to pay import tax at the bloody post office :D
Was it a leather jacket?
 
. . . . and to this day, and by some who weren't even born when he signed for us.
If you ever have the chance, tell a Celtic supporter who is aged around 50+ that Mo Johnston is your favourite Rangers player.

They are of an age to have been there and it cuts them to the core :D
 
Even when we signed him not one of the Scottish press would give us credit for signing a Catholic even though they used it as a stick to beat us with

They said by signing Johnston in the circumstances we did it only inflamed things and we should have signed a non West of Scotland Catholic instead.

We tried to get Ray Houghton a year before but because of his background growing up in the gorbals it was a non starter due to the grief he would get from his family and the hordes, the same thing happened with John Collins a year after Johnston signed when we were in for him.

Ian Rush was another who was willing to come but again he wanted to be for footballing reasons and did not want the label of being the only Catholic in the team.
And we are the bigots seemingly.
 
He was superb for Rangers, scorer of important goals, flexible enough to be able to play up front in a pairing with McCoist or effectively a front 3 with Mark Walters as well when we were going for it.

Johnston had a great ability to hang in the air for a header. I’ve seen some players able to do this but not many, he would jump for the header and seem to just have an extra second or two than you would expect. He was a fantastic header of a ball as well.
You do know that is physically impossible. I think it's called gravity or something. :)
 
I still remember my neighbour (one of them and a grown man/man child) punching his wall repeatedly when the news broke that Mo had signed for us.

Great times.
I was far too young to remember it but what I do always remember is my dad telling me our elderly female neighbour at the time, who was an RC but had never once mentioned football, ranting and raving about it and calling him a rat :))
 
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