Gibson, John

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Personal

Fullname: John Gibson
aka: Wee Johnny, Johnny Gibson, The Ghost
Born: 23 December 1950
Birthplace: Hull
Signed: 7 December 1976
Left: April 1978
Position: Right-Wing
First game : Sub v Ayr home 3-0 league – 18 December 1976
Last game : Hibernian away 1-1 league – 30 March 1977
Goals: None
Internationals: None
International Caps: None

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Biog

Winger John Gibson was a surprise signing for the Bhoys in December 1976 when he was out of contract.

Johnny Gibson was said to be ‘Celtic mad‘ and had sprang to prominence in the 1971/72 season with an outstanding performance against Rangers for Partick Thistle at Firhill when he demolished the Rangers defence in Thistle’s 3-2 win. He was a substitute for Partick Thistle on their glory day on 23 October 1971 when they beat Celtic 4-1 in the League Cup final but could not maintain that good form.

He was soon dubbed by some Celtic fans as ‘The Ghost’ as to them he seemed so pale & skinny.

Jock Stein signed up the wideman on a free transfer after he had been freed by St Mirren. The former Partick Thistle and Ayr man had been one of the more colourful characters in the Scottish game and had got himself involved in a number of scrapes at his previous clubs with a longer disciplinary record than most hard man defenders.

However he had impressed Stein with his performance in a St Mirren reserve game just weeks before he was released by the Love Street club in December 1976. All the Scottish clubs were in the grip of a snowy December and his signing on 7th December 1976 came out of the blue.

The pacy John Gibson made his debut soon after arriving as a substitute in a 3-0 league win over Ayr at Parkhead on 12th Dec 1976 but he was never anything more than a fringe player, making only four appearances spread over the season but Celtic never lost in the four games he played: three victories (two in the league) and one draw with Hibernian. All these games he played in came in the title winning season of 1976-77, so he helped play a small part in assisting Celtic to regain the league title for the last time for Jock Stein.

The next season was a nightmare for Celtic, with the loss of key players hampering the campaign as Celtic collapsed in their challenge for the title, and finished lowly in fifth position. Despite possible openings, John Gibson was not given further chances, but on the other hand meant he escaped the worst that there was at Celtic in the first team.

He was released prior to the season end in April 1978, and moved onto East Fife where he played a number of games before moving on to play for Forfar Athletic and Stirling Albion.

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Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1976-77
  

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