The unusual bargain Jimmy Johnstone made with Jock Stein to avoid a Celtic European tie

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Jimmy Johnstone is Celtic’s greatest player of all time in some people’s eyes, but even he tried to get out of playing for the Hoops on one occasion.

‘Jinky’ Johnstone was a member of the Lisbon Lions who became the first British side to win the European Cup in 1967 and went on to score 130 goals in over 500 appearances.

Jock Stein wanted to call upon him for every game, but he once reluctantly agreed to a deal that saw his talisman miss a game against Red Star Belgrade.

• READ MORE: How one of Celtic’s greatest players announced himself to the Hoops against Aberdeen in 1982

The promise Jock Stein made to Jimmy Johnstone

Johnstone may have been fearless on the pitch but off it, flying was his one big fear.

That wasn’t helpful when playing for a side competing in European competition but Stein was willing to compromise.

He told the winger that if they beat Red Star Belgrade by four goals or more in the first leg, he wouldn’t have to travel for the return leg.

Stein made the promise at half time in the first leg, when the score was 1-1. Johnstone then took matters into his own hands and subsequently scored twice after the break.

Bobby Lennox and Willie Wallace also chipped in, securing the Hoops’ win by a four-goal margin. Elated by the outcome, Johnstone reportedly shouted “I don’t have to go!”

Promises are there to be kept and Johnstone was then left out of the squad for the second leg in Belgrade, which the Bhoys won 6-2 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw.

While Johnstone was delighted to avoid the flight, the same couldn’t be said for Red Star, who were reportedly gutted that he didn’t make the trip over.