Mo Johnston: My Biggest Regret – Leaving Rangers for Celtic
Maurice “Mo” Johnston, a name etched in Scottish football history, is remembered for one of the most controversial transfers in the sport. In 1989, Johnston shocked the footballing world by moving from Rangers to their arch-rivals, Celtic. Decades later, the former Scotland international admits this decision remains his greatest regret.
Johnston was a hero at Rangers, where he scored prolifically during his first stint from 1984 to 1987. His pace, clinical finishing, and knack for crucial goals endeared him to the Ibrox faithful. After a spell with Nantes in France, he returned to Scotland, seemingly set to rejoin Rangers. However, in a stunning twist, Johnston signed for Celtic, becoming the first high-profile player to cross the Old Firm divide in modern times.
The move sparked outrage. Rangers fans felt betrayed, branding him a traitor, while Celtic supporters were divided, some uneasy about embracing a former Rangers star. The transfer intensified the already fierce rivalry, with Johnston facing vitriolic abuse from both sides. Reflecting on the decision, Johnston later admitted the weight of the backlash was overwhelming. “I never should’ve done it,” he said in a rare interview. “Rangers was my home, and I let emotion cloud my judgment.”
On the pitch, Johnston delivered for Celtic, scoring 31 goals in 76 appearances, but the personal toll was immense. The constant hostility, including threats and abuse, left scars. He later confessed that the move was driven by a mix of financial incentives and a desire to prove himself, but the cost to his legacy was too steep. “I thought I could handle it, but I underestimated the divide,” he said.
After leaving Celtic in 1991, Johnston’s career took him to Everton, Hearts, and beyond, but the shadow of that transfer lingered. Now retired, he looks back with clarity: staying with Rangers would have preserved his status as a club legend. Instead, his name became synonymous with one of football’s most divisive moments.
Johnston’s story is a cautionary tale about the perils of crossing bitter divides. For all his talent, his legacy is forever tied to a decision he wishes he could undo. “Rangers was where my heart was,” he said. “I should’ve stayed.”
