Mo Johnston – Time does not heal, ‘no such forgiveness is possible,’ David Potter

THIRTY years have now past since the astonishing events of summer 1989. An eternity cannot heal the hurt or the damage that was done by the actions of Maurice Johnston, rightly called “Judas” by Celtic supporters for his betrayal.

And it’s almost 30 years since he made his debut for his new club against Celtic and scored the winner before rushing to celebrate with the Rangers supporters at Ibrox.

There were two sub-plots – one was that Rangers at last employed a Roman Catholic, albeit a shamed and discredited one, and the other was that the Celtic Board of the time showed its ability (not for the first or last time) to be taken to the cleaners by the ruthless gangsters on the other side of the city.

But these were nothing to the disgraceful behaviour of the main character, who thus joins Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Our Lord to the Romans in 33 AD, Ramsay MacDonald (who abandoned Labour to join the Conservatives in 1931), Vidkun Quisling (who betrayed Norway to the Nazis in 1940) and Ephialtes of Malis (who betrayed the 300 Spartans to the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 BC).

These people are now in the Hell’s Hall of Infamy.

The facts are simple. He said he was joining Celtic in May 1989 (having played well for us in seasons 1984/85, 1985/86 and 1986/87) but in fact joined Rangers in July 1989.

May 1989 “the only club I ever wanted to play for”

July 1989 “this club will give me more money”

Celtic were thus condemned to more years of misery, made all the worse by the knowledge that they had been outwitted and made a fool of by their worst enemies, and that Maurice Johnston was one of our own who had betrayed us.

And yes we were sneered at, and yes we had to listen to all the specious cant about “He is a professional football player. Surely he gets to play for whoever he wants”.

Such things were said by those who did not understand Celtic.

Things were far better put by a veteran supporter who never usually used bad language, but summed it all up by saying “He’s a horrible see word, that one” There was no better way of putting it.

Those of us who know our cinema will perhaps recall “The Informer” of 1935 starring Victor McLaglen. Basically, Gypo down on his luck and needing £10 to take him to the USA, betrayed his friend Frankie McPhillip to the Black and Tans.

Gypo was then seized with remorse, and ran to Frankie’s mum who forgave him, saying “You didn’t know what you were doing, Gypo!” Then as Frankie was being shot, Gypo uttered one of Hollywood’s best ever lines when he said “Frankie! Frankie! Your mother forgave me!”

Any actor would love that line! But, in the case of Maurice Johnston, NO SUCH FORGIVENESS IS POSSIBLE.

David Potter

Lest we Forget

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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