Is the underground cult of Paddy McCourt set to go mainstream?

Last updated : 30 September 2009 By Mikbhoy

There have been many cult heroes in Celtic's illustrious history but Paddy McCourt is unique in that it seems he'd already achieved that status with a considerable amount of fans before he'd even kicked a ball in earnest for the first team. His brilliant solo effort against Falkirk and his dazzling run and strike at New St Mirren Park on Saturday may have delighted the support who are crying out for a hero, and it may even have lightened Tony Mowbray's gloom for a moment, but it has also given the manager a dilemma as he weighs up his options ahead of tomorrow's Europa League tie against Cheating Vienna.

The ex-Derry City player's performances in his first two starts for Celtic confirmed what the boss and most observers already knew about the player - he can be a genius with the ball at his feet, some even go as far as to compare him to countryman George Best - but there are still reservations surrounding his fitness levels and overall contribution to the team and Tony Mowbray must decide if he can risk the unconventional McCourt in such an important match, on such a big stage, especially given that Aiden McGeady is likely to slot straight back into the side. Can Mowbray really afford to sacrifice some midfield graft to accomodate Paddy's craft?

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has recalled the winger to his international squad for the vital World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on October 14 and he believes that Tony Mowbray will unleash the player at some stage of the game, probably as an impact sub. "As a defender the last thing you want is somebody running at you with the ball especially if that player is bang on form." said Worthington. "Patrick is one of those players who can hurt defenders and do things when you least expect them. He has such great feet and a whole array of tricks. Now he has belief in his ability he would make life uncomfortable for any defender. I don't know what Tony's thinking is, whether Paddy is on the bench or starts, but he is a dangerous player to have in the squad."

"I suspect he might be on the bench because of the amount of games he's had." said the ex-Norwich manager. "But in a match like tomorrow night's McCourt is an impact player coming off the bench. He will run at players and cause them all kinds of problems. He possesses that ability to do something quite special. If he has only a bit of time to impress you can imagine how dangerous he will be."

"Knowing Tony as I do, he and I will be singing from the same hymn sheet." he continued. "We know we have a very good player with the ball but what we need is a very good footballer without the ball as well. If you get the two combined you have an excellent player. There is a hell of a lot of developing with him. The reason it has taken him so long to scale those heights is because he has not had a lot of first-team experience."

"McCourt spent much of his time in Ireland so from a professional point of view he was going to be well behind the lads at Celtic." said Worthington. "But there are a lot of great players at Parkhead and he should be learning all the time. He knows what he has to do to get into the Celtic team and knows exactly what he has to do get into the Northern Ireland team. It is not so much down to myself but Patrick. It is all down to the players and not the manager. But my message to Patrick now is, 'Keep your feet on the ground and keep doing what you are doing because it is working'. He has to keep working with the ball but work even harder without the ball."

"The goal against St Mirren was an individual goal and that typifies what he is like as a player." said the Northern Ireland boss. "I'm told the one against Falkirk was even better so I need to hunt that down quickly before I see Patrick again. Without a doubt he has the ability but with hard work be can become an even better player. I've told him if he has a work ethic then he's going to be some player. He is going to be a great asset to himself, his team and Northern Ireland."