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Fullname: Jóhannes Eðvaldsson
aka: Johannes Edvaldsson, Big Shuggy (!)
Born: 3 September 1950
Birthplace: Reykjavík, Iceland
Signed:8 Aug 1975
Left: 2 Feb 1980
Position: Defence/Midfield/Striker
First game : Aberdeen home 9 August 1975 1-0 league cup
Last game : Dundee United away 8 April 1980 0-3 league
First goal : Hearts home 16 August 1975 3-1 league cup
Last goal : Hibernian home 17 November 1979 3-0 league
Internationals: Iceland
International Caps: 34
International Goals: 2

Biog

Signed in August 1975 after a brief but successful trial Johannes Edvaldsson was one of Celtic's earliest and most successful European imports.

The Icelandic international arrived in Glasgow after stints in France with Metz and Denmark with Holbek and and was to prove an instant success, scoring on his Parkhead debut against English champions Derby County in front of a packed, sunny, Celtic Park as Celtic ran out 1-0 winners.

His versatility was to prove a major asset for the Hoops and although often played in the centre of defence, the man nicknamed 'Shuggy' by the Bhoys support played in virtually every outfield position for Celtic.

After making his domestic debut in a 1-0 League Cup triumph over Aberdeen at Parkhead (09/08/75) Edvaldsson established himself as a first team regular with solid and determined performances which were to become his trademark, initially as an attacking midfielder, and he reached double figures in the scoring charts although Celtic won nothing that season. He did score an outstanding hat trick in Celtic's scintillating 7-2 win against Ayr United at Somerset Park on November 12th 1975.

He lost his place in the team for a period after the signing of Pat Stanton and the emergence of the young Roy Aitken but in February he was a splendid replacement for the injured Roddy MacDonald and played his part in the title winning side. Shuggie was a surprise replacement for the injured Ronnie Glavin in the 1977 Scottish Cup Final, wearing the unusual number 8 shorts, and put in the header which led to Celtic's penalty which resulted in the winning goal. It was a tactical master stroke by Jock Stein and he often seemed to save his best performance for the blood and thunder of the Rangers games and had a happy knack of scoring in them.

He was joint top scorer during the troublesome 1977/78 season but when Billy McNeill took over in the summer of 1978 Shuggie was played consistently in central defence (developing a good partnership with Roddy MacDonald) and became one the ten man heroes in May 1979 when Celtic beat Rangers 4-2 to take the title on a never to be forgotten summer's night. Edvaldsson's strength and commitment was part of the reason that Celtic came storming through in that game.

The following season Johannes was used sparingly and at the end of 1979 he was tried up front in an effective little and large partnership with Bobby Lennox. He scored a spectacular headed winner at Tannadice on November 10th 1979 and on 27th October he came on as a late substitute and had the Rangers defence in disarray which left Roddy MacDonald unmarked to score the winning goal from a Provan corner. After the New Year he chose to move on after a fall out with manager Billy McNeill which was both a surprise and a disappointment to the Celtic support.

At times Edvaldsson did display a lack of mobility and pace but during his five years in the Hoops he was a popular and notable performer. He finally moved on from Glasgow in February 1980 when he crossed the Atlantic to sign for Tulsa Roughnecks. Shuggy made 188 appearances for Celtic and scored 36 goals. He also won 16 international caps as a Bhoy. He returned to Scottish football with Motherwell in 1982, signed by Jock Wallace who was a huge admirer, and was given a fine reception by the Celtic fans on his visits back to Parkhead.

His connection with Scotland & Celtic didn't end after he left Celtic. His wife was from Glasgow, and he returned back after a spell back in Iceland where he was said to have owned a public house in Bridgeton. He suffered a brain hemorrhage in 1995 but thankfully made a full recovery.

Johannes Edvaldsson was a hugely popular character during his time at Celtic Park and we wish him well.

Playing Career

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