John Hughes

Celtic winger nicknamed 'Yogi', scorer of 197 goals in 435 games for the club.

John Hughes (3 April 1943 – 1 August 2022) was a Scottish footballer from Coatbridge, nicknamed 'Yogi' after the cartoon bear because of his big frame. He joined Celtic from Shotts Bon Accord in 1959 and in eleven seasons scored 197 goals in 435 games, which still ranks him eighth among the club's all-time scorers in all competitions.

Quick Facts

Born: 3 April 1943
Birthplace: Coatbridge, Scotland
Died: 1 August 2022
Position: Outside left, striker
Total caps: 276
Total goals: 118

Lore & Background

Hughes belonged to the squad that won the 1966–67 European Cup. Injury kept him out of the final, but like Joe McBride and Charlie Gallagher he had played enough matches to receive a winner's medal. In the 1970 semi-final second leg against Leeds United at Hampden Park, in front of almost 140,000 spectators, he scored Celtic's first goal in a 2–1 win, and he played all of the final, which Celtic lost 2–1 to Feyenoord after extra time. He moved to Crystal Palace in 1971 in a joint £30,000 deal with Willie Wallace, and he won eight Scotland caps between 1965 and 1969.