NewsLiverpool's Greatest - No.61: Craig Johnston

• Years: 1981-1988

• Appearances: 271

• Goals: 40

• Trophies: First Division (1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1987-88), League Cup (1982, 1983, 1984), European Cup (1984), FA Cup (1986)

South Africa-born Australian Craig Johnston landed at Liverpool in April 1981 and played his part in a period of huge success for the club.

Acting on a recommendation by Graeme Souness, the Reds signed the 20-year-old midfielder from Middlesbrough and gained his talent, first-class work ethic and determination for the next seven years.

‘Skippy’, as he was known, was a league champion in each of his first three full seasons at Anfield, featuring in 80 First Division matches and supplying 24 goal contributions.

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A brilliant beginning to life on Merseyside also included three League Cup wins and glory in the European Cup in 1984, when Johnston was selected to start the final as Liverpool defeated hosts AS Roma on penalties at Stadio Olimpico.

Johnston’s opportunities diminished under Joe Fagan in the next campaign and he was used only sporadically, but his reaction to being on the sidelines was a testament to the great character behind the footballer.

He undertook a regime of extra training sessions and refused to give up – an attitude rewarded when Kenny Dalglish was appointed manager and Johnston got back into contention.

In fact, those circumstances led to what was perhaps his standout season while at Liverpool. He racked up a whopping 61 games in 1985-86, produced 14 assists and scored 10 goals.

One of those strikes came as the Reds beat Everton 3-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley en route to clinching a first – and at time of writing, only – league and cup Double in club history.

A tireless runner, Johnston was always self-deprecating of his own technical abilities, later quipping: “Even when I was playing for Liverpool, I was the worst player in the best team in the world.”

But bad players don’t win five championships, a personal figure he reached as a member of the vintage 1987-88 Reds squad that swotted aside all before them so stylishly.

It was Johnston’s swansong. After that campaign, he retired from the game and returned to Australia to care for his ill sister.

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