Liverpool icon Craig Johnston was moved to tears in an emotional interview as he made the long-awaited return to Anfield for the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Fulham. The Australian, who made 271 appearances and scored 40 goals in his seven years at the club, was visibly emotional on his return.
A five-time league champion with Liverpool, Johnston also netted in the Reds’ 3-1 FA Cup final victory over Everton in 1986, clinched the European Cup in 1984 and hoisted two League Cups. However, his career at Anfield came to an abrupt end in 1988 when he retired to care for his seriously ill sister, Faye, who had suffered a brain injury following a gassing accident.
He briefly returned to Liverpool in 1989 after the Hillsborough disaster, raising £40,000 for the families of those affected and traveling around the world to attend the memorial service at Anfield. Although he has rarely been here since, Johnston is now back in Liverpool. and returned to Anfield for the Reds’ 2-2 draw against Fulham.
The former player was unable to express his feelings in a candid interview with LFC TV’s Peter McDowall before the match.
“Just hearing you communicate makes it emotional,” he admitted, his voice shaking with emotion. “I left in a bit of a hurry and there was obviously a lot of stuff underneath that I never talked about, never discussed and never came back from.
“So, unfortunately, it’s emotional. People might think I’m a little sweet, but I’m not. I just enjoy living in this city for so long, nine years, and everything that happened while I was here. It’s just magical.
“Sometimes I can’t find the words to describe it. But it’s emotional. But once I get over the excitement, I’m fine. But just hearing your voice and “Being here, it makes it very real, you know?”Johnston would later meet several former teammates at Anfield, but he humorously commented that their reunion would not arouse his emotions and joked that he was still owed cash for the time they spent together.
“I won’t be moved when I see them, I’ll even knock them out, some of them!”he joked. ” Some of them owe me money!” So another thing is the city, the culture, that time when we were, by far, the most productive team in the world.
“That’s what attracts me, and the circle of family, you know? But seeing the kids, like I said, I’ll knock them out when I see them!”
Furthermore, Johnston praised Arne Slot’s team and predicted that Liverpool could make a name for themselves in the Premier League under the Dutch manager this season.
“Dare I say it, dare I say it,” he enthused. “It was 30 years before we’d won anything in between and Jurgen Klopp has done such a brilliant job as well.
“And now with Arne too, hallelujah! Let’s not say that we haven’t won anything for 30 years. It’s interesting. “
We use your registration to provide content in the way you have consented to and as we perceive you. This would possibly include advertising from us and third parties, as we perceive it to be. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy
Reflecting on the managerial impacts, he noted: “I see how Alex Ferguson left Man United and how that decimated the club for years. We all had those suspicions, but it didn’t happen and it hasn’t happened at all. “
“On the contrary. We’re leading the championship and it’s Christmas! So it happens!”
SEARCH
CONNECT WITH US
TODAY’S PAPER
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.
EXPRESS. CO. UK
Would you like to receive notifications from Daily Express?