Paddy McCourt: 'I can replace Aiden McGeady'
Paddy McCourt has claimed he can fill the boots of Aiden McGeady should the winger leave Celtic this summer.
McGeady has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park all summer. Russian Premier League runners-up Spartak Moscow are said to have had a bid of £8.3 million rejected by the Glasgow outfit, while a host of English Premier League clubs are believed to be keen on signing the Republic of Ireland international. According to manager Neil Lennon, there is now "a big offer on the table" for the 24-year-old.
New contract
McCourt, who is regarded as one of the most highly-skiled players in the Scottish Premier League, has penned a three-year contract extension with the club he supported as a boy and has claimed he can be the man to replace McGeady in the first team. He told reporters: "If (McGeady) does leave it'll definitely open up a space for me and it'll be up to me to grab it."
The Northern Ireland international winger has not enjoyed the brightest of starts to his career at Celtic Park since joining two years ago, but is confident he can step out from under the considerable shadow of McGeady to thrive for his club. The 26-year-old, who had one year left on his previous contract, said: “I think I have only made 19 appearances in two years – that was down to different reasons, injuries and fitness reasons when I first came. But luckily I am winning that battle at the moment so I'm hoping this will be the year that I kick on and show the best of me.”
The skillful player has himself been linked with several other clubs during the close season, including EPL newcomers Blackpool. However, he has his heart set on impressing Lennon and becoming a force within the first team. McCourt said: “That’s all the speculation finished. I have signed a contract to stay for another three years. I am delighted to get it sorted and am just looking forward to the season ahead now."
Considered options
After being asked if he had considered leaving his boyhood idols, McCourt said: “I wouldn’t say I was tempted. When you are not playing as much football as you like then you have to consider your options. After I had a few chats with the manager I wasn’t long in making my mind up to stay here. It’s the club I love and I would have been disappointed to leave after the two years I have had here. I want to be successful here and I want my time here to be full of medals and I haven’t got one yet, so I would have been disappointed to leave on that note."
McCourt began his career with English lower league side Rochdale AFC, scoring eight goals in 91 total appearances. His form brought the attention of League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers in 2005, where he starred with seven goals in 17 appearances before being sold to Derry City as a result of the club’s financial difficulties. In 2006, McCourt helped Derry to secure both the Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup and the League of Ireland Cup. He completed his move to Celtic in June 2008.
McCourt has featured for Celtic 19 times in total and has scored three times. His strike against St Mirren in the SPL last season, where he beat three defenders before firing the ball in from a tight angle, was voted the Sky Sports News SPL Goal of the Season. He was also on the bench as Celtic fell 3-0 to Sporting Club de Braga in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg clash.
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