They don’t make them like Mjallby these days

The Celtic Star

·25 November 2024

They don’t make them like Mjallby these days

They don’t make them like big Johan these days…

27 August 2000: Claudio Reyna of Rangers tussles with Johan Mjallby of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League match at Celtic Park. Celtic won the match 6-2. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport

26 years ago last week Johan Mjallby made his Celtic debut in the 5-1 win over Rangers at Celtic Park. The Swedish international would go on to make a further 171 appearances for the club scoring 14 goals in the following six years.

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Signed initially as a midfielder his versatility and strength saw him deployed as a central defender, and it was that position that he would excel in, both at club and international level.

His best years were ultimately under Martin O’Neill, who liked big imposing centre backs, and alongside the likes of Joos Valgaeren and Bobo Balde, Johan made up a fearsome presence in our defence.

27 December 1999: Rod Wallace of Rangers is chased by Johan Mjallby of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League match at Celtic Park. The game ended 1-1. Photo: Michael Cooper /Allsport

Johan was as hard as nails, and strikers would dread playing against him. He was a true leader, and was also a threat in the opposition penalty area as he proved by scoring more than his fair share of goals.

Johan gave everything in a Celtic shirt and helped the club win seven honours during his time at the club. He was also part of the club’s run to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville in May 2003. At international level he made 49 appearances for Sweden and skippered his nation at the 2002 World Cup finals.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon in the dugout with assistant Johan Mjallby at the start of the Scottish Premier League game between Celtic and Ross County at Celtic Park on August 03, 2013. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Johan left the club in 2004 to join Spanish side Levante, but would return six years later as assistant manager to Neil lennon where he displayed that same imposing presence in the dug out.

Aye, they sure don’t make them like big Johan anymore.

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