There’s something about Pat McCourt other than the Davie Provan 70s haircut.
He’s confident not arrogant, assured and very talented.
How that develops at Celtic is anyone’s guess but he seems a sensible sort and at 24 knows that he’s not going to get another crack at the big time.
Rochdale seems a strange place for a great talent to develop at, so it proved with the early promise fizzing out and ending in a free transfer to Shamrock Rovers via an unsuccessful stop off at Motherwell.
The not so shy Dublin duo of Roddy Collins and Stephen Kenny restored Pat’s belief and set him on track for the move that few Rochdale free transfers ever make… to Celtic.
Genuine wingers have been thin on the ground at Celtic where wide midfielder have been the norm or win-backs, it’s difficult trying to recall the last Celtic winger… was Davie Provan ever replaced?
Steve Guppy and Ross Wallace were both sort of wingers but mainly noted for crossing the ball, usually outswinging from the left.
McCourt seems to offer more, a directness, ability to cut inside with an eye for goal and two footedness.
It’ll be interesting to see if he fits in, how he develops, if he can flourish like Didier Agathe and Evander Sno two recent bargain signings that went on to make an impact in the Champions League.
It’s a lot to ask for but from his demeanor and from the clips that I’ve seen of him he won’t feel intimidated or out of place, welcome to Celtic Paddy.