John Collins owed Celtic nothing when he left for Monaco

The Celtic Star

·14 July 2024

John Collins owed Celtic nothing when he left for Monaco

John Collins served us with great distinction. He left for nothing, leaving Fergus in a rage, but he owed us nothing. We owed him gratitude for hanging around for as long as he did. He more than earned his move.

1991: John Collins of Celtic. Photo Allsport UK

John Collins signed for Celtic in the summer of 1990 from Hibs for a then club record fee of £1 million.

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John snubbed the more financially attractive prospect of a move to Rangers, but being a hoops supporter since a boy he didn’t entertain a move to Ibrox which would have made him a wealthy man, as well as the likelihood of winning more honours such was Rangers position at the time.

Not taking the Maurice Johnston approach endeared him to the Celtic supporters from the word go and he wouldn’t disappoint us with his contributions on the field.

John Collins Glasgow Celtic FC 27 September 1994. Photo Mary Evans Allstar Graham Whitby Boot

Technically gifted, John was a joy to watch. One touch from his left foot could open up any defence, and he could score goals, wonderful goals.

His free kicks were legendary. Two in particular at Ibrox back in 1994. Two identical works of art that silenced the Ibrox supporters four months apart.

Unfortunately for John he played for the club in an era of disappointment on and off the park and a solitary Scottish Cup medal is all he had to show for his six years at the club.

John Collins would of course take advantage of the newly applied Bosman ruling and left for Monaco in 1996 leaving Fergus McCann furious at losing such a talent for not even a penny in compensation, despite going down every avenue in search of redemption.

John Collins Glasgow Celtic FC 03 August 1992. Photo Mary Evans Allstar Richard Sellers 1

Wee Fergus was naturally raging as were some Celtic supporters, but the truth was that John didn’t owe us anything. He had paid us back with added interest by spending a big chunk of his career at the club when he could have played in a more lucrative and successful environment.

John Collins was too good for Celtic at that time, the very fact he stayed put, making 229 appearances scoring 48 goals when he could have furthered his career elsewhere means that he more than earned his big move to the French Riviera’s tax haven.

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