Who are ya?-Paddy McCourt
By: Matt | June 23rd, 2008
On Thursday, Celtic signed their first new player of the transfer season in Patrick “Paddy” McCourt. McCourt comes from is from Northern Ireland and has chosen Celtic, allegedly being a supporter of the Bhoys since being a boy, which is usually enough to endear him to a good majority of the Celtic Support. Given that McCourt played in the Eircom League in Ireland, he is not well known especially to supporters not in Ireland. By many accounts, McCourt was considered one of the best of the Eircom League. A primer is still necessary for most Celtic supporters on Paddy. McCourt is 24 years old and born and raised in Derry.
Along with his time with the Candy Stripers of Derry City, where he appeared in 37 games and scored 6 times in three years, he also played a season with Shamrock Rovers of the Eircom League appearing 17 times and scoring 7. Obviously McCourt is more of a winger/playmaker rather than a finisher, but when he does score they seem to be flashes of brilliance.
Many people are down on McCourt because of the fact that he is a small name from a small league, as well as hearing reports that McCourt can be lazy and disappear on the field at times. However, McCourt was a relatively cheap buy with a chance for tremendous upside. Those who are down on the Eircom League should remember that such names as Roy Keane and Paul McGrath have come from the very same league. Finally, it has been reported that McCourt has been a Celtic fan for life and playing for your boyhood team is always a grand motivator!
Some videos of Paddy McCourt at work…
Some tasty footskills and finishing here…reminds me of a current Celtic winger…
Welcome to Celtic, Paddy! Like most of us, you’re just trying to live the dream!
Category: Celtic
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Comments
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I think you’ve hit the nail right on the head. McCourt’s a low risk, high reward proposition. If he doesn’t work out, Celtic’s more than covered with Aiden, Naka, Mizuno, etc. If he explodes onto the scene, there’s more competition for places and the supporters have another cult hero. I mean look at the guy? Who wouldn’t want to throw a few down at the pub with Paddy McCourt? And the fee being the same exact amount as Miller’s move on fee to the Huns is just too perfect.
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Paddy is pretty wicked. Not sure who to compare him to. He glides by people like their not even there. Similar to other wingers, but without the flash of the stepovers, etc.
Watching him in LOI he can at times disappear from a match for stretches at a time, but what you have to remember is that Derry don’t have possession 60% of the time like Celtic does in the SPL. Just like McGeady excelled, I think Paddy will as well. He’s actually a better passer of the ball than McGeady I feel. Well I hope he stays healthy for Celtic’s sake, he will sure be fun to watch if so.
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As JT said, it’s a pretty low risk high reward buy for Celtic. Got him for peanuts and has boatloads of potential…even if he flames out, Celtic have Mizuno, Hutchinson, etc in that position as well. That’s an interesting point you make about possession Matt, the only worry I have is about his health as well…
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Hail! Hail!
I incorrectly posted my opinion about Paddy on the “home shirt” thread.
If you’ll endulge me…
He reminds me of Robin Friday – sans the myriad chemicals / alcohol. I know Friday was a straight up forward. However, in the matches of Friday’s I’ve watched on replay – both Cardiff and Reading – when I compare the snippets of McCourt I’ve downloaded, that’s who I think of.I’m not trying to arrogantly profess some footballing expertise. I’m just saying, McCourt looks similar to Friday:
His hair and three-day-growth;
His tall, lean physique;
The way he glides with ball – Matt, that is a great descriptor;
His goals from distance remind me of some of Friday’s strikes I’ve watched.He’s long and lean. “Gliding” is a great word.
I wish I could’ve seen some of these guys in the flesh.
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