| Jonatan
Johansson 20, Striker Born: Stockholm (Sweden), 16/8/1975
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, this however
was prematurely ended when he broke his leg
against Aberdeen in the CIS cup in December.
Thankfully his recovery has been quick and
successful, culminatingin his first appearance
following the injury, as a substitute against
Aberdeen on the 1st of April.
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