Johnny played for local clubs Glasgow Perthshire, Bonhill Hibs, Vale of Leven, and Dumbarton Harp before arriving at Parkhead in 1911. He was loaned back to his two previous teams during his first year at the club.
A fine outside-left he was signed by Celtic from Vale of Leven in April 1911. A baker by trade, he was nicknamed humorously as "Smiley" due to his generally dour demeanour, however he was said to be a good entertainer too.
He was deemed to be a 'Catch of the Season', and his debut came in a 1-0 league victory at Third Lanark's Cathkin Park on 2nd November 1912.
As successor to the great Davie Hamilton he quickly established himself as a first team regular with some fine performances on the flank. A strong and direct wideman, John combined flair and force with great effect and his wing play was a key weapon in Celtic's attacking armoury.
A popular and jovial figure in the dressing room, John was an integral member of the side that won four league titles in succession. Probably his greatest moment was when he hit two goals against Hibernian in the 1914 Scottish Cup final to help the Bhoys lift the cup.
As a measure of his quality, in 59 matches of the wonderful 62 unbeaten league match run (1915-17) he was the highest scorer with a fabulous 20 goals. He was an ever present in the 1915/16 league title winning side and so one of the bulwarks of the side.
He was a real attraction for many to go watch Celtic. Said to be a popular and cheerful character in the dressing room, notable for his impressions of Charlie Chaplin, Harry Lauder and Willie Maley too. The stern Maley is said to have overlooked his foibles.
On the international front, he was capped by Scotland on 28 February 1914 in a 0-0 draw with Wales, played at Celtic Park, and also earned two call ups from the Scottish League sides.
He would depart the Hoops in 1919 when he headed to London after signing for Chelsea. A long stint with the Celts, amassing 217 league and Scottish Cup games, and a fair tally of 65 goals into the bargain.
Johnny made just five league appearances for Chelsea, before signing for Vale of Leven in June 1920, and then Dumbarton in September 1920. in 1922 he went back to Vale of Leven again (the club now having re-joined the SFL) for two more years.
Johnny is remembered working in the family newsagents and stationers in Main Street, Alexandria in the years before his death.
A fine outside-left he was signed by Celtic from Vale of Leven in April 1911. A baker by trade, he was nicknamed humorously as "Smiley" due to his generally dour demeanour, however he was said to be a good entertainer too.
He was deemed to be a 'Catch of the Season', and his debut came in a 1-0 league victory at Third Lanark's Cathkin Park on 2nd November 1912.
As successor to the great Davie Hamilton he quickly established himself as a first team regular with some fine performances on the flank. A strong and direct wideman, John combined flair and force with great effect and his wing play was a key weapon in Celtic's attacking armoury.
A popular and jovial figure in the dressing room, John was an integral member of the side that won four league titles in succession. Probably his greatest moment was when he hit two goals against Hibernian in the 1914 Scottish Cup final to help the Bhoys lift the cup.
As a measure of his quality, in 59 matches of the wonderful 62 unbeaten league match run (1915-17) he was the highest scorer with a fabulous 20 goals. He was an ever present in the 1915/16 league title winning side and so one of the bulwarks of the side.
He was a real attraction for many to go watch Celtic. Said to be a popular and cheerful character in the dressing room, notable for his impressions of Charlie Chaplin, Harry Lauder and Willie Maley too. The stern Maley is said to have overlooked his foibles.
On the international front, he was capped by Scotland on 28 February 1914 in a 0-0 draw with Wales, played at Celtic Park, and also earned two call ups from the Scottish League sides.
He would depart the Hoops in 1919 when he headed to London after signing for Chelsea. A long stint with the Celts, amassing 217 league and Scottish Cup games, and a fair tally of 65 goals into the bargain.
Johnny made just five league appearances for Chelsea, before signing for Vale of Leven in June 1920, and then Dumbarton in September 1920. in 1922 he went back to Vale of Leven again (the club now having re-joined the SFL) for two more years.
Johnny is remembered working in the family newsagents and stationers in Main Street, Alexandria in the years before his death.
Johnny played for local clubs Glasgow Perthshire, Bonhill Hibs, Vale of Leven, and Dumbarton Harp before arriving at Parkhead in 1911. He was loaned back to his two previous teams during his first year at the club.
A fine outside-left he was signed by Celtic from Vale of Leven in April 1911. A baker by trade, he was nicknamed humorously as "Smiley" due to his generally dour demeanour, however he was said to be a good entertainer too.
He was deemed to be a 'Catch of the Season', and his debut came in a 1-0 league victory at Third Lanark's Cathkin Park on 2nd November 1912.
As successor to the great Davie Hamilton he quickly established himself as a first team regular with some fine performances on the flank. A strong and direct wideman, John combined flair and force with great effect and his wing play was a key weapon in Celtic's attacking armoury.
A popular and jovial figure in the dressing room, John was an integral member of the side that won four league titles in succession. Probably his greatest moment was when he hit two goals against Hibernian in the 1914 Scottish Cup final to help the Bhoys lift the cup.
As a measure of his quality, in 59 matches of the wonderful 62 unbeaten league match run (1915-17) he was the highest scorer with a fabulous 20 goals. He was an ever present in the 1915/16 league title winning side and so one of the bulwarks of the side.
He was a real attraction for many to go watch Celtic. Said to be a popular and cheerful character in the dressing room, notable for his impressions of Charlie Chaplin, Harry Lauder and Willie Maley too. The stern Maley is said to have overlooked his foibles.
On the international front, he was capped by Scotland on 28 February 1914 in a 0-0 draw with Wales, played at Celtic Park, and also earned two call ups from the Scottish League sides.
He would depart the Hoops in 1919 when he headed to London after signing for Chelsea. A long stint with the Celts, amassing 217 league and Scottish Cup games, and a fair tally of 65 goals into the bargain.
Johnny made just five league appearances for Chelsea, before signing for Vale of Leven in June 1920, and then Dumbarton in September 1920. in 1922 he went back to Vale of Leven again (the club now having re-joined the SFL) for two more years.
Johnny is remembered working in the family newsagents and stationers in Main Street, Alexandria in the years before his death.
A fine outside-left he was signed by Celtic from Vale of Leven in April 1911. A baker by trade, he was nicknamed humorously as "Smiley" due to his generally dour demeanour, however he was said to be a good entertainer too.
He was deemed to be a 'Catch of the Season', and his debut came in a 1-0 league victory at Third Lanark's Cathkin Park on 2nd November 1912.
As successor to the great Davie Hamilton he quickly established himself as a first team regular with some fine performances on the flank. A strong and direct wideman, John combined flair and force with great effect and his wing play was a key weapon in Celtic's attacking armoury.
A popular and jovial figure in the dressing room, John was an integral member of the side that won four league titles in succession. Probably his greatest moment was when he hit two goals against Hibernian in the 1914 Scottish Cup final to help the Bhoys lift the cup.
As a measure of his quality, in 59 matches of the wonderful 62 unbeaten league match run (1915-17) he was the highest scorer with a fabulous 20 goals. He was an ever present in the 1915/16 league title winning side and so one of the bulwarks of the side.
He was a real attraction for many to go watch Celtic. Said to be a popular and cheerful character in the dressing room, notable for his impressions of Charlie Chaplin, Harry Lauder and Willie Maley too. The stern Maley is said to have overlooked his foibles.
On the international front, he was capped by Scotland on 28 February 1914 in a 0-0 draw with Wales, played at Celtic Park, and also earned two call ups from the Scottish League sides.
He would depart the Hoops in 1919 when he headed to London after signing for Chelsea. A long stint with the Celts, amassing 217 league and Scottish Cup games, and a fair tally of 65 goals into the bargain.
Johnny made just five league appearances for Chelsea, before signing for Vale of Leven in June 1920, and then Dumbarton in September 1920. in 1922 he went back to Vale of Leven again (the club now having re-joined the SFL) for two more years.
Johnny is remembered working in the family newsagents and stationers in Main Street, Alexandria in the years before his death.
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