‘THOUGHTOFLEAVINGRANGERS WOULDGIVEMESLEEPLESSNIGHTS’

Derek Johnstone said it would be difficult to single out one accomplishment from a career which brought 210 goals in 546 games for Rangers

He was in the Rangers team which won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972 and domestically won three League Championships, five League Cups and five Scottish Cups.

He was voted Scottish Players’ Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 1978 and won 14 caps for Scotland.

“Making my debut against Cowdenbeath and scoring two goals was utopia as far as I was concerned,” said Derek.

“Then the League Cup comes along and it is another high then the Cup Winners’ Cup comes along and it’s an even bigger high. But throughout my career there were so many highlights that it’s just not true.

“I won three League Championships, five League Cups, five Scottish Cups, the Glasgow Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cup and got 14 caps.

“It wasn’t a bad career but what made it so special was I did it all with the same club.

“I had umpteen chances to go to England in my prime but decided I was happy where I was. Financially it would have been better but the thought of leaving Rangers would give me sleepless nights.”

Having been placed on the transfer list by John Greig in April 1983, Derek left Rangers after the 1983 Scottish Cup final defeat against Aberdeen to join Chelsea in the Second Division for a £30,000 transfer fee.

He failed to dislodge the established strike partnership of Kerry Dixon and David Speedie and made just four appearances at Stamford Bridge before going on loan for a month to Dundee United.

He was tempted back to Rangers by Jock Wallace in January 1985 but he only made just over 20 appearances over the next year.

Derek was handed a free transfer when Graeme Souness took over in the summer of 1986 and there was a short spell in management with Partick Thistle before he retired from the game and took up a role in the media.