Graeme Souness has admitted that some Rangers (IL) players objected to the signing of Maurice Johnston in 1989.
The signing from Nantes was billed as the first Catholic to join the club in modern times which went strongly against the song book of the fans.
Half of that Rangers (IL) squad were from the west of Scotland and more than sympathetic to the songs and beliefs of the supporters.
Graeme Souness in The Times extract of his new book , talking about Rangers players ( more than one ) who didn’t want Catholics at the club . Wonder which players it was ? I can think of 2 at least..???????????? pic.twitter.com/lqBpv0W40N
— moo (@moo_ted) October 8, 2017
Souness had been at the club for three years when he put together a plan with Bill McMurdo to make the signing of Johnston more acceptable to the supporters.
Looking back at the reaction to the signing Souness told The Sunday Times: “We unveiled Maurice at Ibrox and I dealt firmly with players in the squad who refused to welcome him, making it clear they wouldn’t be staying.”
In the 1989 close season Davie Cooper, Mel Sterland, Jimmy Nicholl and Davie Kirkwood left Ibrox.
Johnston left Rangers (IL) to join Everton in November 1991, six months after Walter Smith had replaced Souness as manager.
Twenty three years after signing Johnston Rangers were placed in liquidation with BDO still completing the process.
