David Murray’s mistake brought Big Bad John to Paradise

25 years ago a high profile footballer rocked up in Glasgow to sign for the now defunct Rangers FC, and it was seen as a major coup by both the Rangers supporters and the SMSM alike.

Welsh international John Hartson, who was a proven striker in the EPL had all but signed on the dotted line to become the latest in a long line of big money deals sanctioned by David Murray.

However the deal collapsed after routine medical examination raised concerns over the players fitness, and that was enough for Minty to pull the plug on the move.

The former Arsenal man returned down south with the deal in tatters, and his house hunting plans in Glasgow were scuppered.

But things took an unexpected and interesting turn as he was soon seeking those Glasgow estate agents a few months later as he descended back north only this time his destination was Glasgow’s east end.

John answered the call of Martin O’Neill who had no qualms about his ‘medical issues’ and persuaded the club to part with a whooping £6 million for the powerful centre forward.

It proved to be very much Celtic’s again as Big bad John helped the club win six honours whilst boasting an impressive record of 109 goals in 201 appearances over six seasons in the hoops, several of those strikes coming against the Ibrox side as he wrote himself into Celtic folklore.

John was foolishly and thankfully rejected by David Murray, and the rest as they say is history…