The “Godfather” star, who passed away at the age of 95, met Johnstone while shooting “A Shot at Glory.”
In the film, Duvall played Gordon McLeod, manager of Kilnockie FC.
The late actor rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in film, but none came close to the Celtic European Cup winner.
While in the UK to promote his film Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise in 2012, Duvall talked about his love for football while attending the Manchester derby, saying: “I know a lot of the great players, I’ve seen them, and I can safely say the greatest character I have ever met, and I have met a lot, is wee Jimmy Johnstone from Scotland.
“Jinky, what a guy. I named a dog after him – a great guy, he died too young that guy. What a character, and a great player.”
Johnstone, who passed away in 2006, is remembered most for his time with Celtic, where he was part of the team that won the European Cup in 1967.
He was voted Celtic’s best-ever player by club fans in 2002.
He scored 129 goals for Celtic in 515 appearances.
He also won 23 caps for Scotland.
