John was a Saints misfit who madeittotheeuropeancup
Celtic are still licking their wounds after being thumped 4- 0 by Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.
The Hoops’ supporters look for their team to be a lot more competitive at home.
Expectations weren’t quite as high when Scot, John Lawson, lined- up against German opposition in 1971.
He had gone from failing to make the grade at Leeds United and St Mirren to playing in the European Cup.
John was a star for Irish side, Cork Hibernians, a team that enjoyed a remarkable run of success over a five-year period before financial problems saw them wound-up in 1976.
They won the Irish League 50 years ago and that led to a tie against Borussia Monchengladbach.
“It was a great experience playing against names like Berti Vogts, Gunter Netzer, Rainer Bonhof and Jupp Heynckes,” recalled John.
“But I think we might have been a bit overawed by the occasion, and when that happens you don’t play your true game.
“We lost 5-0 at home, but did a lot better over in West Germany. We were 1- 0 up at half- time, although we eventually lost 2-1.
“The previous season we took on Valencia, managed by Alfredo di Stefano.”
Cork also came up against Schalke 04 in the Cup- Winners’ Cup after taking care of Cypriot side, Pezoporikos.
Playing in those games, and winning domestic
trophies with a side that often attracted crowds of 20,000, was quite a turnaround for John.
He said: “I went down to Leeds United when I was only 15-years-old.
“One of my friends from Castlemilk in Glasgow, Sonny Sweeney, also headed there.
“I was a bit of a naughty boy at that time, and I’d regularly end up in Don Revie’s office.
“They sent me home one time, and I was heartbroken. I cried all the way back to Glasgow.
“They brought me back and gave me a second chance, but I was released when I was 18.
“I had learned a lot about how to pass the ball and to go tight on an opponent.
“It was a time when I grew up. Taking in kit for men like Bobby Collins, Jimmy Greenhoff and Norman Hunter was nerve-racking.
“It was a tough environment, and I was quite a shy boy.”
Don Revie recommended John to St Mirren boss, Alex Wright.
His last game for Leeds reserves – in a team that contained Terry Yorath, Kenny Hibbit and Jimmy Lumsden – saw John in the No. 11 shirt.
He went on: “St Mirren seemed to think I was a left-winger, but that really wasn’t my position. I was a midfield man.
“I lasted a season, and was then on the lookout for another club.
“I had a trial with Ballymena, but then my old friend, Sonny Sweeney, got me a chance with Cork.
“I played a few games up front, then one of the midfielders got injured. I was moved to my natural position, and never looked back.
“I’ve been in Cork since 1969, and have absolutely no regrets about moving here.
“We won the league and several cups. I’m the club’s second-highest league scorer with 41 goals – not bad for a midfielder.
“I was Player of the Year in 1972, and got to play for the League of Ireland against Italy in Catanzaro.
“It was one of my greatest experiences, lining up in front of 40,000 fans as the national anthems were played.”
A tour of America in 1976 was to be Cork Hibs’ swansong.
John, now 72, came home from the trip early after damaging his knee on an artificial pitch.
He regained his fitness, but the poor financial health of his club saw them go bust.
He said: “I then played for Cork Alberts and Athlone Town.
“I started working in a shoe shop, and eventually managed it for 23 years.”