Moyes admits AJ admiration

Badge-kissing wouldn't bother Everton boss

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 31st October 2008

Andy Johnson Fulham

Johnson: Has opened Fulham account

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David Moyes admits Everton have missed Andy Johnson - but does not care if he kisses his Fulham badge on Saturday.

Johnson made a £10.5million move to London this summer having wanted to return south for family reasons.

But that was only after a pre-season row with Moyes when he walked out of Deepdale before a friendly with Preston.

Another former Everton striker Wayne Rooney kissed his Manchester United badge on his return to Goodison Park last weekend, sparking an angry reaction from the home fans.

And although Johnson has been told by Fulham boss Roy Hodgson not to follow suit, Moyes would not expect that kind of reaction from the ex-Birmingham and Crystal Palace frontman.

"I hear that Andy has been told not to kiss the badge, but I don't think he is that sort of player anyway, it is not something he would do," he said.

"But does it really matter how he celebrates? Whether we can stop people celebrating goals I don't know.

"You used to just put your hands above your head and run away, but things have changed. People read too much into things like that."

Johnson finally opened his account for the Cottagers with a brace in their 2-0 win over Wigan in midweek, which took his career tally to 101 league goals in 236 starts.

The 27-year-old scored 17 goals in 52 league starts for Everton, helping the Toffees to sixth and fifth-placed finishes.

Moyes still admires Johnson and believes he will look back on his two years at Goodison fondly.

"Andy did a terrific job for us, I would always have him in my side," Moyes added. "I enjoyed having him in my team and he was good for us.

Career highlight

"The period he had here, when he looks back at the end of his career, he will maybe see as one of the high points.

"He has been missed. He gave us something that is hard to get, but he's gone now and we have all moved on.

"I am pleased he has got his 100th goal now, as long as he doesn't score against us I will be happy.

"But it makes no difference to me whether players kiss the badge or not. Andy did well here, and players do what they do to celebrate, there's nothing wrong with it.

"How to stop him is something else. He is a difficult player to contain on form."

Although Everton snatched a late victory at Bolton in midweek, they are still searching for their first home league win of the campaign.

"Our form generally over the years at home has been excellent, and the crowd have a lot to do with that because people do not like playing here," said Moyes.

"We need to get back to that level, but we also need to start playing a lot better in front of our own fans, too.

"I'm certainly happier now about our form after this last week. It was a great point against Manchester United and then a solid win at Bolton.

"Hopefully this is a new start for us. We are getting a few players back fit and ready, generally the squad is fitter and more ready than at the beginning of the season."