Sent Off at Gunpoint

In this biography in exclusive interviews Willie Johnston lays bare for the first time the truth about what happened in Argentina in 1978 when he was controversially sent home from the World Cup having tested positive for drugs and how he was made a pariah by the Scottish football authorities, being deemed persona non grata for many years. Willie's career as a silky, classy player who jinked his way down the wing to create goal after goal, and score the odd one too, took him from Glasgow Rangers, where he helped the club win the only European trophy in their history, the Cup Winners Cup in 1972, netting the winning goal in the final, to West Bromwich Albion, Vancouver Whitecaps, Birmingham City, Hearts and of course Scotland, for whom he won 22 caps. At all of his clubs he became a cult hero. He still commands huge crowds wherever he goes. Johnston was perhaps the most controversial player of his times. Stricken with a legendary temper, he was sent from the field of play on a record 22 occasions in his remarkable career. Indeed controversy seemed to follow Willie about the place. He once raced naked around the Hawthorns for a bet, teased opponents by sitting on the ball in matches and was incredibly both sent off and drummed out of South America at gunpoint. With contributions by Ron Atkinson, Johnny Giles and Sandy Jardine amongst a stellar cast, Sent Off At Gunpoint tells Willie's incredible story in full for the first time.