The Squad > Attackers > Jonatan Johansson

Brief Player Report:

Jonatan Johansson was already a Finland international when he came to Rangers for a two-week trial in the Summer of 1997.

Walter Smith, then Rangers manager, liked what he saw and Johansson was signed that August for £500,000 from FC Flora in Estonia.

Though born in Stockholm, his parents were Finnish and he was drafted into the national squad as a teenager.

He caught the eye of Finland coach Richard Moller Nielsen who recommended him to his son Tommy, the Rangers coach.

Appearing at Ibrox was a daunting experience at first for the young winger who had been used to playing in front of crowds of no more than 1,000 in Estonia.

Johansson made six League appearances, mainly as a substitute, in his first season with Rangers and got his first start in March 1998 in the goalless Scottish Cup quarter-final against Dundee.

He also scored for Finland against Scotland in a warm-up game for France 98.

Converted to an out and out striking role under Dick Advocaat Johansson came into his own as a regular member of the first-team squad showing an ability to score crucial goals, often coming from the bench to turn games when Rangers were struggling.

Derby County made an offer for Johansson just before Christmas, but he decided he wanted to remain at Ibrox and finished with 17 goals despite often appearing as only a substitute.

Jonatan added another two goals to his growing collection with a strike in each leg of the Champions' League qualifier against Haka.

And with a run in the first team in October, Johansson bagged a hat-trick against Aberdeen and the opening goal in the first Old Firm match of the season.

His successful spell coincided with an injury to Michael Mols and with 5 goals in the Premier League by early November, Johansson earned his chance to replace the injured Mols.

Please note these player pages only get updated every so often this page was last updated 31/05/00

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