Six months after signing for Celtic Nick Feely made his debut in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hibs at Lennoxtown.
The Austalian goalkeeper has had to wait patiently to get his chance but after getting an outing in the friendly against Finn Harps he was thrown into competitive action for the first time at the weekend.
Celtic’s u-19 defence has played together in every game except one this season but coach Stevie Frail was pleased by the new bhoy’s contribution to the win over Hibs.
“It’s a big decision because Robbie (Thomson) has been part of a back five that’s been virtually unchanged all season and had a lot of clean sheets,” the Celtic coach explained.
“We thought that the time was right, we need to have a look at Nick because we have two good goalkeepers at this age.
“It’s not a slight on Robbie’s performance by any means. We’ve been pleased with him but we had a look at Nick and he’s came in and kept a clean sheet as well.
“Nick is a big lad, that was his first competitive start, we’re pleased for him and it’s good to have two good keepers at this level.”
At every level of football the goalkeepers union is the hardest for an outsider to understand.
Working every day in a small group knowing that your colleague is keeping you out of the team makes the position unique.
Waiting for an error or injury to the guy that you work beside brings a strange form of camarederie with Frail pleased with the way the club’s youngest keepers are developing.
“Goalkeeping is the hardest position to play in,” he added. “There’s only one place in the team. Others can play in two or three positions and get their chance somewhere else with an injury but goalkeepers need to be patient.
“They are a different breed, they train very closely and know that every week they are working with someone whose probably going to play on the Saturday. You have to keep working away and be really professionaL in terms of the work that they do together.
“That’s the nature of being a keeper, they are realistic and professional, when they are not in the team they have to be ready when called upon.
“They all help each club, it’s a strange one. It’s a hard position to be in but Robbie and Nick along with young James Wightman and Leo Fazan all work well with our goalkeeping coaches.”
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The good old official site says it was Thomson in goal!
Congrats to Nick – he played well. Good to see that he is not afraid give his defence a good talking to – not that it was needed in the 3-0 game – but that sense of confidence was clear – and good to have 2 goalies given a chance – Robbie and Nick – keep them on their toes. Good luck to them both !