THE sight of Jonatan Johansson scoring the winner for St Johnstone at Tynecastle last weekend was proof of the old adage that in life, as well as football, you should always keep in touch with your friends.
Twelve years ago, Derek McInnes took a fresh-faced Finn (nicknamed 'Tintin' because of his blond hair) under his wing at Ibrox – a friendship which resulted in the pair becoming neighbours in the same street in Renfrewshire.
At that time, Johansso
n was a stranger in a new country armed with a pair of football boots and a marketing degree. Twenty-one and single and having played professionally only for a few months in Estonia, he was moving to a club with a worldwide reputation. Clearly having an ally to help him settle was a great boon.
When Johansson's inauspicious spell at Hibernian came to a close a few months ago, therefore, it seemed fitting that it was McInnes who was there to lend a helping hand again, over a decade later. The reacquaintance is clearly rubbing both ways, with benefit on both sides.
When Johansson required training facilities to stay fit for Finland's recent World Cup qualifiers, McInnes was one of the first on the telephone.
A short-term deal until January resulted and Johansson's arrival has fired up competition in the Perth forward line and coincided with a run of three wins from four games heading into today's clash with Hamilton.
After a sticky return to Scotland, Johansson admits he was appreciative of the familiar, neighbourly voice.
"I am really enjoying my time here," says the 34-year-old. "What was really good was that I had met the players here and had been training before I signed, so it felt right. I could see straight away, and Derek knew as well, that St Johnstone were better than the league position. You have to prove that, though, and I think that is happening now."
Returning to Scotland after a ten-year circumnavigation via London, Norwich and Malmo didn't appear the soundest of choices for Johansson when Leith manager John Hughes opted to terminate his contract early in the summer.
The Finn, capped 100 times, had bought a house in the Firth of Clyde with his wife, former Scottish television presenter Jean Anderson, and was hopeful of getting quickly back into the old goal-scoring routine in the SPL.
Unfortunately, the man who brought him back to Scotland – countryman Mixu Paatelainen – was axed in Leith and, when Hughes bought Anthony Stokes, Johansson found his spell at Easter Road curtailed.
"It didn't work out but I honestly have no hard feelings towards anyone at Hibs. In fact, I can see it from their point of view and the chairman's point of view," says Johansson with laudable candour.
"Hibs have a lot of good strikers and wanted to cut the squad and the wage bill. If I had looked at it myself, I would have made the same decision. They have a lot of good younger players coming through. I left very amicably. I know people think everyone says that, but it is true."
While observers might have considered Hibs to have been a bad move, Johansson disagrees. Even with hindsight, he has no regrets and insists he will happily have a pint with Hughes any time he is in the Fair City. He is also happy to be back in the cut and thrust of Scottish football – a style of game he feels suited to.
Football in this part of the northern hemisphere has changed since he left for Charlton, but what hasn't surprised him is how his old friend McInnes has taken to the dug-out.
"After we left Rangers, Derek and I met each other on the pitch in England and we shared the occasional text as well. When he started doing well in management it didn't surprise me because you know the team-mates who could take to it. Derek was good with people, had a sense of humour but he was also a great team-mate. You could trust him. He worked hard on the pitch when it was needed and he shouted at you when needed, too. He always had it in him."
Despite his contract running out in January, Johansson has learned not to look too far ahead. He has refused to retire from international football. He plans to do his coaching badges – slowly. For him, the only thing that matters is playing football and scoring goals.
Hamilton is his prime focus. Other issues will wait. "I am actually enjoying playing more now than I did when I was in my twenties," he said. "Obviously I would love to stay here but we will just see what happens."
It might just be the mellow Scandinavian temperament but, underneath, Johansson still has goals. St Johnstone will be hoping last week's counter was just the first of them.
