I know a guy who knew Mo Johnston and his family growing up, and had said Mo did support Celtic through his mum rather than follow his dad's lead and support Rangers. That background just makes what happened later even more remarkable. It really was an extremely courageous thing he did joining us, especially after he'd apparently joined them just before. A braver man than I, put it that way.
I can still picture the reaction clear as day. I remember him getting pelted with all sorts, including pies, cups, coins and even an orange golf ball from the Broomloan Stand during an Old Firm game. The noise, the venom, the sheer madness of it all. You don't really forget that kind of atmosphere once you’ve seen it up close.
The early anger and Hampden memories
It wasn’t just their lot either. Some of our own support were also giving him it tight at times in those early days, and you could understand why emotions were so raw. To be totally honest, I had disliked him myself, especially after the Stuart Munro incident at Hampden in the 1986 League Cup final. I nearly lost my voice that day shouting at the wee toe-rag, and I genuinely never thought I’d be cheering his name a few years later.
That Hampden memory summed it up for many of us back then. He was the enemy, a good player aye, but one you loved to shout at for ninety minutes. The idea of him ever pulling on a Rangers jersey, never mind scoring important goals for us, felt unthinkable at the time.
Hard work, quality and winning a support over
All of that changed when I actually watched how great a player he was for us and how hard he worked for the team. The shift in attitude wasn’t instant, but it was real. Once you saw the runs, the movement, the work off the ball and the way he never hid, it got harder and harder to hold on to the old grudges.
Gradually the fans that didn't want him softened, and by the time he moved on, I'd say that the vast percentage were right behind him. The goals helped of course, but it was the graft and the attitude that did it for me. Brilliant signing, great attitude, and by all accounts popular in the dressing room as well.
Looking back now, you can’t help but think we’d absolutely skate this league with his type of talent and mentality in the side right now. Somebody brave enough to take the ball, work themselves into the ground and handle the pressure that comes with being a Rangers forward. For all the drama that surrounded him, Mo Johnston is one of the best examples of a player who came in, faced down the noise, and won over a support that once couldn’t stand the sight of him.
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