David Murray’s mistake brought Big Bad John to Paradise

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The Celtic Star

·06 de setembro de 2025

David Murray’s mistake brought Big Bad John to Paradise

John Hartson was rejected by Rangers, and the rest as they say is history…

John Hartson celebrates opening the scoring during the Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers played at Hampden Park on May 4, 2002. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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.

Vídeos OneFootball

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.

John Hartson of Celtic celebrates scoring their first goal during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park Stadium on November 19, 2005 . (Photo by Chris Lee/Getty Images)

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.

Celtic’s John Hartson shoots to score the second goal during the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, second leg match between Celtic and Artmedia Bratislava at Parkhead on August 2nd, 2005 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now! In Celtic shops on Friday…

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.