Allan_Johnston

Allan Johnston

Allan Johnston

Scottish footballer and manager

For other people named Allan Johnston, see Allan Johnston (disambiguation).

Allan Johnston (born 14 December 1973) is a Scottish football player and coach, who was most recently the manager of Queen of the South.

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Johnston started his professional playing career with Heart of Midlothian and then followed on to French club Rennes before a spell in English football with Sunderland before returning to Scotland with Rangers. Johnston then returned to England with Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday. Johnston returned to Scotland and played out his playing career with Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Queen of the South. Johnston played for Scotland 18 times in full internationals, and also played for the Scotland under-21 and B international teams.

Johnston started his managerial career in 2012, as player-manager of Queen of the South. Johnston won the Second Division championship in his first season as a manager, then moved to Kilmarnock. Johnston departed Rugby Park after 18 months after a dispute with the club's board about the sale of a player. Johnston was appointed manager of Dunfermline Athletic in 2015, where he won the League One Championship in his first season.

Playing career

Club

Heart of Midlothian

Johnston began his career with Heart of Midlothian, becoming a first-team regular in the mid-1990s. In January 1996, Johnston scored his first career hat-trick, scoring all three goals in a 3–0 win against Rangers at Ibrox.[6] Johnston picked up a Scottish Cup runners-up medal that season in the defeat to Rangers where Brian Laudrup dominated the final.

Rennes

During the summer of 1996, Johnston moved to French club Rennes (Aberdeen defender Gary Smith making the same move), but he left after less than one season.[7]

Sunderland

Johnston finished the season with FA Premier League side Sunderland as they were relegated to the Football League First Division. Although Sunderland were defeated in the 1998 play-off final, the club won the title the following season. During the summer of 1999, with just one year left on his contract, Johnston began negotiations about an extension. During this time, interest in Johnston was expressed by Rangers and after negotiations broke down with Sunderland, Johnston stated his desire to move to Glasgow. Despite previously being a first-team regular he never appeared for Sunderland in 1999–2000 season and was subsequently loaned to Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers, the latter with whom he appeared in the FA Cup semi-final. However in the semi-final versus Aston Villa he was one of two Bolton players to have their penalty saved by David James as they crashed out in a shoot-out.[8]

Johnston was the scorer of the final competitive goal at Roker Park in a 3–0 win over Everton in the final home game of the 1996/97 season.[9]

Rangers

At the end of the 1999–00 season, having not featured for Sunderland in the entire campaign, Johnston moved to Rangers on a free transfer, scoring on his debut in a Champions League qualifying match against FBK Kaunas.[10] He scored twice more for Rangers, his strikes coming against Herfolge in another Champions League qualifier[11] and Brechin in the Scottish Cup.[12]

Middlesbrough

Little over twelve months later, in late August 2001 and with the FA Premier League season already underway, Johnston moved to Middlesbrough in a £600,000 deal, making his debut in the derby defeat to Newcastle United the following weekend. Johnston scored in his second match against West Ham[13] but failed to score again all season, missing February and March due to injury. The following season, Johnston spent much of the season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, scoring twice, having only played in two League Cup matches for Boro, subsequently missing the entire 2003–04 season.

Kilmarnock

Johnston signed for Kilmarnock in August 2004, reuniting him with former Hearts management team Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown.[14] In April 2007, with his contract about to expire, Johnston agreed a new two-year deal, which wasn't extended upon its expiry in June 2009, resulting in his release from Rugby Park.[15]

St Mirren

On 8 August 2009, Johnston played in a trial match for St Mirren against Wigan Athletic.[16] After the match, manager Gus MacPherson said that he would love to sign him, but felt he might be out of their price range.[17] After making 10 appearances for St Mirren, he was released at the end of the season.

Queen of the South

In July 2010 Johnston played as a trialist in four games for Dumfries club Queen of the South. Johnston was then confirmed on the club's website as having signed a one-year contract on 16 July 2010.[18] Johnston's competitive league debut for Queens was on 22 August 2010 when he played in central midfield during a 3–1 away win at Cowdenbeath.[19] Johnston scored his first Queens goal in a league win at Palmerston Park versus Partick Thistle on 18 September 2010.[20]

International

Johnston made 18 appearances for Scotland between 1998 and 2002,[21] and was also capped at under–21 level.

Coaching career

Queen of the South (first spell)

Queen of the South announced on 21 June 2011 that Johnston had signed a contract as player coach.[22] On 3 May 2012, Johnston was appointed as Queens new player-manager.[4][23] Johnston led Queens to a historic double in his first full season in management, winning the Scottish Second Division Championship and the Scottish Challenge Cup. [24][25]

Kilmarnock

Johnston and his assistant, Sandy Clark both signed two-year contracts to join Kilmarnock as the club's new management team on 24 June 2013.[26] Queen of the South receive around £30,000 in compensation.[26] Kilmarnock narrowly avoided relegation in Johnston's first season in charge, winning their last two games to finish above the relegation play-off position. The club performed better in the league during his second season, but in February 2015 Johnston announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season.[27] He had been upset by the sale of Robbie Muirhead, which Johnston said had only been advised to him after the transfer window had closed.[27] The Kilmarnock board then decided to remove Johnston from his position immediately.[28]

Dunfermline Athletic

On 8 May 2015, after three months out of work, Johnston was appointed manager of Scottish League One side Dunfermline Athletic on a one-year contract.[5][29] His first season with the club saw him twice named Scottish League One Manager of the Month,[30][31] guide the Pars to the league title and promotion to the Scottish Championship,[32] and additionally, saw the side compete well against Scottish Premiership opposition in both the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup.[33][34] In April 2016, Johnston was rewarded for his achievements with a new two-year contract, keeping him at East End Park until Summer 2018.[35]

Johnston's first season in the championship saw the club finish in fifth place, four points off the play-off positions.[36] The following season, Dunfermline finished one place better off which saw them contest the quarter-final play-off against Dundee United. After a goalless first leg,[37] the Pars lost the return leg 2–1 at Tannadice.[38] On 22 May 2018, Johnston signed a new two-year contract.[39] In January 2019 Dunfermline were not in contention for a play-off spot. On 9 January the club announced Johnston had been relieved of his duties 4 days after Alloa Athletic scored a 94th minute equaliser against Dunfermline after Dunfermline having been 2-0 ahead.[40]

Queen of the South (second spell)

On 5 May 2019, soon after Queens ended their league campaign in the 2018–19 Scottish Championship relegation play-off position, the Doonhamers appointed Johnston and his assistant, Sandy Clark on a two-year contract for their second spell at the Dumfries club ahead of the play-off matches versus Montrose.[41][42]

On 16 April 2021, Johnston and Clark signed a contract extension to remain as the Queen of the South management team until May 2023.[43]

On 13 February 2022, Johnston and Clark departed the Doonhamers by mutual consent (4 wins in 24 matches) as the Dumfries club languished in the automatic relegation place in the Scottish Championship.[44]

Personal life

His son Max Johnston is also a footballer (a Motherwell youth product, he made his senior debut in 2021); elder brother Sammy Johnston also played professionally for St Johnstone and Partick Thistle among others.[45]

Career statistics

International appearances

More information National team, Year ...
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Johnston goal.
More information No., Date ...

Managerial record

As of 13 February 2022
More information Team, From ...

Honours and achievements

Player

Sunderland

Queen of the South

Individual

Manager

Queen of the South

Dunfermline Athletic

Individual

Queen of the South

Dunfermline Athletic

References

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    The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 32. ISBN 9-780954-855611.
  2. [2]
    "Scotland U21 Player Allan Johnston Details". www.fitbastats.com.
  3. [3]
    "Scotland B Player Allan Johnston Details". www.fitbastats.com.
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    "QOS unveil New Manager" Archived 17 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine qosfc.com 3 May 2012
  5. [5]
    "DAFC appoint new First Team Manager". DAFC. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  6. [6]
    "Classic Match: Rangers 0, Hearts 3, Jan 20, 1996". www.scotsman.com.
  7. [7]
    Fowler, Andrew (26 March 2013). "Where Are They Now? Former SAFC and Scotland winger Allan "Magic" Johnston". nechronicle. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  8. [8]
    Lacey, David (2 April 2000). "Bolton miss out as Dublin delivers". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  9. [9]
    Roker relives Sunderland 3–0 Everton, rokerreport.com; accessed 25 February 2014.
  10. [10]
    "Rangers struggle against minnows". BBC Sport. 26 July 2000. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  11. [11]
    "Rangers book Champions League spot". BBC Sport. 23 August 2000. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  12. [12]
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  13. [13]
    "Boro make Hammers pay". BBC Sport. 15 September 2001. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  14. [14]
    "Johnston joins Killie". BBC Sport. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  15. [15]
    "Killie release experienced trio". BBC Sport. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  16. [16]
    "Wigan Athletic 3 – 1 St Mirren: Ex-Killie winger Johnston plays as trialist as Buddies run illustrious opponents close". The Scotsman. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  17. [17]
    "Gus MacPherson: We'd Love To Sign Allan Johnston For St Mirren But He Might Be Too Expensive". Sunday Mail. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  18. [18]
    ""new signings" www.qosfc.com".[permanent dead link]
  19. [19]
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  20. [20]
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  21. [21]
    Allan Johnston at the Scottish Football Association
  22. [22]
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  23. [23]
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  24. [24]
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  25. [25]
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  26. [26]
    Barnes, John (25 June 2013). "Kilmarnock: Allan Johnston becomes new manager". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  27. [27]
    "Allan Johnston: Kilmarnock boss to leave at end of the season". BBC Sport. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  28. [28]
    "Allan Johnston: Kilmarnock manager relieved of duties". BBC Sport. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  29. [29]
    "Allan Johnston: Dunfermline appoint former Kilmarnock boss". BBC Sport. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  30. [30]
    "Dunfermline: Boss of month Allan Johnston - hands off our players". BBC Sport. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  31. [31]
    "Dunfermline: Johnston and El Bakhtaoui win March awards". BBC Sport. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  32. [32]
    "Dunfermline 3–1 Brechin City". BBC Sport. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  33. [33]
    "Dunfermline 3–1 Dundee". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  34. [34]
    "Dunfermline 2–2 Ross County". BBC Sport. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  35. [35]
    "Manager signs new contract". Dunfermline Athletic FC. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  36. [36]
    "Queen of the South 0–1 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  37. [37]
    McLaughlin, Brian (1 May 2018). "Dunfermline 0–0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  38. [38]
    Mitchell, Paul (4 May 2018). "Dundee United 2–1 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  39. [39]
    Hart, Ross (22 May 2018). "Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston agrees two-year contract". Dunfermline Press. Newsquest. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  40. [40]
    "Dunfermline: Allan Johnston and club 'part company'". Dunfermline Press. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  41. [41]
    "Queen of the South: Allan Johnston returns Palmerston Park as manager". BBC Sport. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  42. [42]
    "QosFC: Magic Returns".
  43. [43]
    "QosFC: Contract Extension for Management Team".
  44. [44]
    "QosFC: Management Team Depart".
  45. [45]
    McGilvray, Andy (16 January 2021). "Rangers hero's son is a new Academy graduate at Motherwell". Daily Record. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  46. [46]
    "SCOTLAND MEN'S A". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  47. [47]
    "SCOTLAND MEN'S A". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  48. [48]
    "Queen of the South boss Allan Johnston's cup medal taken". BBC News. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  49. [49]
    Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1999). The 1999–2000 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 352. ISBN 978-1-85291-607-7.
  50. [50]
    "Allan Johnston wins Scotland's Manager of the Year award". BBC Sport. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  51. [51]
    "Double success for Dunfermline". Scottish Professional Football League. 7 September 2017. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
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