TOMMY Johnson, Celtic's ''forgotten'' striker, yesterday revealed his rift with former head coach Wim Jansen was so deep that had the Dutchman stayed at Celtic Park, he would have left.
The former Derby man sustained a hernia injury in the first month of the season, and was unable to win back his place as Jansen doubted first his fitness then his ability.
Johnson, a #2.3m signing, was left on the sidelines, only returning as a substitute in the 5-1 win over Dunfermline in February.
To add to his miserable campaign, Johnson collected a serious knee injury and was replaced within minutes of coming on.
But it was the period between injuries that hurt Johnson most and yesterday he admitted his disputes with Jansen left him a disillusioned figure.
When asked to describe his year, Johnson said: ''In a word, nightmare. I played the first game (against Hibernian), got a hernia and it was no comment after that really.
''When I came back I had about six months playing for the reserves and then I got a knee injury. It was not the best season I have had, to put it mildly.
''When I got back to full fitness I had a few arguments with Wim about whether I was fit enough.
''He didn't rate me as a player, but that was his decision and we still won the league.
''I want to stay now a new man is coming in. If Wim Jansen had stopped, there was there is no way I would have stayed.
''There is no way I could have gone through another season waiting for somebody to get injured. I came here for a lot of money.''
Speaking on the club's official hotline, 27-year-old Johnson insists he has no plans to return south until he has proved himself at Celtic Park.
He added: ''I have now had a bit of cartilage taken out of my knee and started jogging so, hopefully, I will be alright for pre-season.
''I am looking forward to the new season, probably more than anybody else after missing the last one and I'll give it a good go.
''The way things have gone for Celtic, with winning the League and the prospect of the Champions' League, hopefully I'll be here for a long time.''
qBRADFORD are set to complete the deal to bring back Stuart McCall within the next 48 hours.
The English second division side are desperate to sign the Rangers midfielder and have been locked in talks with the Ibrox club.
McCall was due to meet with chairman David Murray last night and hoped to persuade him to cut the #300,000 valuation or allow him to leave for nothing.
Murray gave the former Scotland player permission to speak to Bradford, who made it clear they are prepared to match his current wages.
And even if Rangers refuse to cut the asking price, Bradford will press ahead with a move for the player.
McCall began his career at the Yorkshire club and made more than 250 appearances for them before moving to Everton in 1988.
He has been told he can stay by new manager Dick Advocaat, but is unlikely to be more than an Ibrox squad player.
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