John Collins, an absolute class act of a footballer

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·17 Juli 2025

John Collins, an absolute class act of a footballer

It was great to see Henrik Larsson appear on Celtic’s recent promotional video for the new away kit, with another familiar face also popping up in the shape of John Collins…

Henrik Larsson is and probably will remain the best player to have donned the hoops in my lifetime, but JC is up there with the King of Kings when it comes to the greatest players I’ve had the privilege to watch gracing the Celtic Park turf.

John Collins joined Celtic for then club record of £1 million in 1990

John Collins joined Celtic for then club record of £1 million from Hibs back in 1990 and it proved to be money very well spent. He was indeed the club’s first million pound signing, and if anything it proved to be an absolute bargain.

Video OneFootball

John Collins celebrates after scoring for Celtic during the Scottish Cup Final replay win over Hibs in April 1995. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Despite playing in an era of doom and gloom for the club, John along with Paul McStay was a shining light for the supporters as we had the privilege of watching two of the greatest players Scotland has ever produced entertain us in the middle of the park. If we had players of their calibre in other areas of the pitch then it would have been a much more successful era.

John Collins was ahead of the curve when it came to the Scottish game

John Collins was ahead of the curve when it came to the Scottish game. He was cultured, his vision was outstanding and he could pick out anyone with one flick of that magical left peg, whilst having a knack of scoring vital goals, his free kicks were absolutely sublime, just ask the Rangers supporters. It was a crying shame that he had only one major honour to show for his time at the club which was a Scottish Cup medal won in 1995.

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

It was no surprise that John moved on to bigger and better things in the summer of 1996 when he opted to move to the plush surroundings of Monaco as he took advantage of the newly imposed Bosman ruling.

John Collins excelled in French football and then in England

John Collins excelled in French football and then in England with both Everton and Fulham, just as he did at the major tournaments with Scotland proving what a class act of a footballer he really was.

He was also a very able assistant manager to Ronny Deila, during another rather strange period in Celtic’s history. One other thing to remember is that John knocked back more money and also more glory to play for Celtic rather than Rangers. He did that because he’s a Celtic supporter.

Top Bhoy is John Collins.

Just an ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.