Johnstone faces health battle

Johnstone (left) scored more than 100 goals for Celtic

Former Scotland and Celtic winger Jimmy Johnstone has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The 57-year-old was one of the famous Lisbon Lions, the Celtic team who became the first British side to win the European Cup in 1967.

Johnstone lives in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, and is still involved with Celtic, meeting and greeting fans on match days.

"Everyone at the club is shocked to hear this news," said a Celtic spokeswoman.

"Our thoughts are with Jimmy and his family at this time and we hope that we can be of some support to him."

Born in Viewpark, Lanarkshire, Johnstone made his debut for Celtic in 1963.

'Better than Matthews'

His dazzling dribbles earned him the nickname "Jinky" and he became a part of the team which won nine consecutive Scottish League titles between 1965 and 1974.

The highlight of his career came when Celtic came from a goal behind to defeat Inter Milan in the European Cup final in 1967.

His manager Jock Stein, with whom he had several run-ins, said he was "better than Stanley Matthews".

Johnstone scored more than 100 goals for Celtic and won 23 international caps for Scotland.

After leaving Parkhead, he played for San Jose Earthquakes, Sheffield United, Dundee, Shelbourne and Elgin City before retiring from football.

Motor neurone disease affects the nerve cells which send electrical signals from the brain, causing the muscles to waste away.

About 1,200 people are diagnosed in the UK each year and sufferers have a life expectancy of two to five years.