John Collins (footballer, born 1968)

John Angus Paul Collins (born 31 January 1968) is a Scottish professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder.

John Collins
Collins as manager of Hibernian in 2006
Personal information
Full name John Angus Paul Collins[1]
Date of birth (1968-01-31) 31 January 1968[2]
Place of birth Galashiels,[2] Scotland
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder[2]
Youth career
1980–1984 Hutchison Vale
1984–1985 Hibernian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1990 Hibernian 163 (15)
1990–1996 Celtic 221 (47)
1996–1998 Monaco 53 (7)
1998–2000 Everton 53 (3)
2000–2003 Fulham 65 (3)
Total 555 (75)
International career
1987–1989 Scotland U21[4] 8 (0)
1988–1999 Scotland 58 (12)
1990[5] SFA (SFL centenary) 1 (0)
Managerial career
2006–2007 Hibernian
2008–2009 Charleroi
2012–2013 Livingston (director of football)
2014–2016 Celtic (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played for Hibernian, Celtic, AS Monaco, Everton and Fulham in a 19-year career. Collins also represented Scotland 58 times, scoring in the opening match of the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Brazil.

He started his coaching career as manager of Hibernian, winning the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final, but resigned later that year. He then had a brief spell as manager of Charleroi in 2009. Collins was appointed director of football at Livingston in February 2012, but resigned a year later. He then assisted Ronny Deila at Celtic for two years. Collins has also worked in media coverage of football.

Playing career

Hibernian

As a youngster, Collins played both rugby union and football before turning his attention entirely to football. At youth level, he played for Hutchison Vale[6][7] between 1980 and 1984, captaining the side for four years, before signing as a professional with Hibernian. Collins played with the Hibees for six seasons, making his debut in 1985 aged 17, appearing 195 times and scoring 21 goals.[8] During his spell at Easter Road, he was named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year for 1988.

Celtic

Collins signed for Celtic in 1990, becoming their first million pound player. He generally played on the left side of midfield, scoring 55 goals in 273 appearances.[9] In April 1994, he became the first professional footballer using Adidas Predator boots to score a goal in a top-level match: he scored the opening goal of a 1–1 draw at Ibrox against Rangers, direct from a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box.[10][11] He repeated that feat from almost the same position in the next Old Firm meeting at the same venue in August of the same year.[12] During his time at Celtic he won only one trophy; the Scottish Cup in 1995.

Monaco

Collins moved to AS Monaco in the summer of 1996 on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling;[13] Under the direction of Fergus McCann, Celtic attempted to obtain compensation for the loss of Collins,[13] arguing that the Bosman ruling did not apply to this case because AS Monaco were based in the principality of Monaco and outside of European Union jurisdiction.[13] The compensation claim was not successful.

Collins won the French championship in 1997 with Monaco,[14] who then reached the semi-final of the 1997–98 UEFA Champions League,[14] defeating Manchester United in the quarter-final before losing to Juventus.[14]

Later career

Collins moved to Everton in the summer of 1998 for £2 million.[15] He captained Everton before submitting a transfer request in 2000. He then joined Fulham, where he linked up with Jean Tigana, who had been his manager at Monaco. Collins helped Fulham gain promotion to the Premier League in 2001. He retired in 2003, having not played regularly during the 2002–03 season.[16] Coventry City offered to sign Collins on loan, but this offer was refused by Fulham because it did not cover his wages fully.[16]

In February 2014, Collins registered as a player with Gala Fairydean Rovers, a club who he had been ambassador for.[17]

International

Collins won 58 caps and scored 12 goals for Scotland.[18] He played for his country at Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup.[18] He scored a goal in the opening match of that World Cup, with a penalty kick against Brazil.[18] He retired from international football after the aggregate defeat in the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying play-offs by England in November 1999.[15]

Coaching career

After retiring from club football in 2003, Collins spent time in Monaco with his family, while also obtaining coaching qualifications including the UEFA Pro Licence.

On 31 October 2006, Collins was appointed as manager of Hibernian. Collins led Hibernian to their first national trophy in over 15 years, when they defeated Kilmarnock 5–1 in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final.[19] Despite the League Cup victory, Collins had a major dispute with his players just weeks later.[20] A delegation of players met chairman Rod Petrie, where they complained about his training methods and match tactics.[20] The players soon backed down and captain Rob Jones offered a public apology to Collins on their behalf.[20]

On 20 December 2007, Collins resigned from Hibernian with immediate effect, citing a disagreement with the Hibs board about the budget to bring in new players.[19] His decision was taken just one day after the club opened new training facilities.[19] Collins had also said in October 2007 that he had "no intention" of breaking his contract with Hibs, after turning down a possibility of becoming Queens Park Rangers manager.[21]

Lawrie Sanchez was sacked by Fulham the next day, which led to reports that Collins might move there.[22] Collins distanced himself from this speculation,[22] and Roy Hodgson was appointed by Fulham a week later.[23] Collins was interviewed by West Ham United in September 2008.[24]

On 15 December 2008, Collins was appointed as the manager of Belgian club Charleroi.[25] Collins was reunited with former Hibs striker Abdessalam Benjelloun, but Benjelloun was almost immediately returned to Hibs before being loaned to another Belgian club, Roeselare.[26] Collins announced his departure from Charleroi after the club secured their First Division status near the end of the season.[27]

Collins was appointed director of football by Livingston in February 2012.[28] He agreed to play for his old amateur club Gala Rovers in a friendly against a Livingston XI on 25 July 2012.[29] He left the club on 28 February 2013, after Collins disagreed with a decision to remove Gareth Evans from first team coaching.[30]

In June 2014, Collins was appointed to the position of assistant manager at Celtic.[31] He left the club at the end of the 2015–16 season, at the same time as Deila.

Media work

Collins has appeared on the Sky Sports coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Sportscene's coverage of Scotland games. He worked for CBC Sports during their coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[18]

Career statistics

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland[32] 198811
199040
199111
199230
199362
199473
199571
1996101
199770
199872
199951
Total5812
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Collins goal.
List of international goals scored by John Collins
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
117 February 1988Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh Saudi Arabia2–12–2Friendly
227 March 1991Hampden Park, Glasgow Bulgaria1–01–1Euro 1992 qualifier
319 May 1993Kadrioru Stadium, Tallinn Estonia2–03–01994 World Cup qualifier
48 September 1993Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen  Switzerland1–01–11994 World Cup qualifier
57 September 1994Olympiastadion, Helsinki Finland2–02–0Euro 1996 qualifier
612 October 1994Hampden Park, Glasgow Faroe Islands3–05–1Euro 1996 qualifier
75–0
826 April 1995Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle San Marino1–02–0Euro 1996 qualifier
95 October 1996Stadionas Daugava, Riga Latvia1–02–01998 World Cup qualifier
1023 May 1998Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey Colombia1–12–2Friendly
1110 June 1998Stade de France, Saint-Denis Brazil1–11–21998 World Cup
125 October 1999Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow Bosnia and Herzegovina1–01–0Euro 2000 qualifier

Managerial record
As of 16 May 2009
Team From To Record
GWDLWin %
Hibernian 31 October 2006 20 December 2007 54 23 15 16 042.59
Charleroi 15 December 2008 15 May 2009 18 7 4 7 038.89
Career total 72 30 19 23 041.67

Honours

Player

Hibernian

Celtic

Monaco

Fulham

Individual

Manager

Hibernian

References
  1. The Tartan Special Scottish Football League Review 1995/96. PPL Sport & Leisure. 1995. p. 12. ISBN 9-780861-089659.
  2. "John Collins". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  3. "John Collins: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  4. "John Collins". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  5. On this day, back in 1990, a Scottish League XI beat Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park in the SFL Centenary match with the goal coming from then Aberdeen Football Club star Hans Gillhaus, Scottish Professional Football League via Facebook, 18 August 2016
  6. "Smith reveals ethos behind Hutchie success". The Scotsman. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  7. "Ex Hutchison Vale Players Now Senior Clubs". Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale F.C. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  8. "Hibernian player John Collins". Fitbastats. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  9. "Celtic player John Collins". Fitbastats. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  10. "Sound of silence: Celtic went to Ibrox under-strength and without their fans but still snatched a point". Scotland on Sunday. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  11. "Celtic the big noises". Sunday Mail (scan). 1 May 1994. Retrieved 26 May 2018 – via The Celtic Wiki.
  12. "No-nonsense Celtic provoke Ibrox boo-boys". Sunday Post (scan). 28 August 1994. Retrieved 26 May 2018 – via The Celtic Wiki.
  13. Rodger, Jim (25 July 1996). "Francs For Nothing". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  14. Bate, Adam (6 February 2014). "Brits Abroad - Interview with John Collins". SKY Sports. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  15. "Collins calls it a day for Scots". BBC Sport. 20 November 1999. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  16. "Collins mulls future". BBC Sport. 4 February 2003. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  17. Esson, Blair (6 February 2014). "John Collins signs for Gala Fairydean Rovers". Daily Express. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  18. "Lenarduzzi, Collins to cover World Cup for CBC". CBC Sports. Canadian Broadcasting Company. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  19. "Collins resigns as Hibs manager". BBC Sport. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  20. "Hibs players apologise to Collins". BBC Sport. 16 April 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  21. "Collins rejects approach by QPR". BBC Sport. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  22. "Manager Sanchez sacked by Fulham". BBC Sport. 21 December 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  23. "Fulham appoint Hodgson as manager". BBC Sport. 28 December 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  24. Jacob, Gary (6 September 2008). "Robert Donadoni and John Collins speak to West Ham". The Times. News International. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  25. "Charleroi verrast met John Collins". De Standaard (in Dutch). 15 December 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  26. "Benjelloun moves on to Roeselare". BBC Sport. 1 February 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  27. Gordon, Phil (12 May 2009). "Monaco could be the next stop for John Collins". The Times. News International. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  28. McLauchlin, Brian (14 February 2012). "John Hughes and John Collins take over at Livingston". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  29. "Collins to face his own side". Scottish Football League. 24 July 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  30. McLauchlin, Brian (28 February 2013). "John Collins and Gareth Evans leave Livingston". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  31. "Celtic: John Collins appointed as Ronny Deila's assistant boss". BBC Sport. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  32. John Collins at the Scottish Football Association
  33. "Joe has six appeal". Daily Record. 24 January 1992. Retrieved 9 April 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  34. "Fulham clinch Euro glory". BBC Sport. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
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