Could the Derry Pele be Celtic’s Solskjaer?
by Joe McHugh Will there ever be a solution to the Paddy McCourt debate?
The 26-year-old scored his third goal of the season at St Johnstone on Sunday without having completed a full ninety minutes for the club- a Boydesque scoring record to most folk.
Is Paddy destined to be an impact player, formerly known as super-sub, or can he evolve into a 90 minute man that his manager can trust?
There are very few super-subs around even in these days of squad rotation with players moving on as soon as they fall out of the first team picture.
Only Ole Gunar Solskjaer fitted the bill, happy in his role as regular substitute and coming on to turn the course of matches.
Over half of the Norwegian’s appearances for Manchester United were as a substitute as he helped himself to 128 goals before being forced into retirement through injury.
McCourt is well into his second season at Celtic and is no longer the enigma that scored wonder goals on a monthly basis for last season’s reserve side.
Back-to-back goals against Falkirk and St Mirren early in the season added to the picture as his dribbling skills- and goalscoring ability- were brought to the attention of a larger audience.
Tony Mowbray tried to sign McCourt for West Brom and has given him five starts this season.
Deciding where to play McCourt seems as much of an issue as getting 90 minutes out of him however as we saw on Sunday 30 minutes of quality is much more useful than 90 minutes of needless running around.
Is he a winger, would he be best playing behind the strikers or more effective coming from a deep midfield position?
Mowbray is a manager who puts an emphasis on skill and flair and is clearly willing McCourt to succeed but equally unsure over his fitness and reliability.
As a compromise having a substitute that glides effortlessly past tiring defenders and who knows how to find the net could be a priceless weapon.
Mowbray has often spoken about developing players by working on them at the training ground. The gymnasium is probably where McCourt needs to work on hardest although it’s unlikely that any amount of gym work could transform him into the new Didier Agathe.
Equally no amount of time on the training ground improved Agathe’s crossing or passing although his naked pace was used effectively throghout Martin O’Neill’s time at the club.
With three SPL games coming up in the next seven days we’re unlikely to get any answers in the short term.
As a squad player McCourt could be invaluable in a tight battle for the championship- even if he never gets around to completing 90 minutes in a Celtic jersey.
Evening Herald report on St Johnstone match
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