Dylan McGeough: I thought I was finished with Celtic

When Dylan McGeough quit Celtic for Rangers four years ago he could never have imagined that he’d be back in the hoops first team and scoring before his 19^th birthday.

Watching his big brother Darren leaving the club was too much for the family with Dylan also deciding to quit Celtic and cross the great divide to join Rangers.

The Ibrox club could hardly believe their luck as they were presented with one of their rivals best prospects only too happy to sign a three year deal- putting his hopes of a professional career ahead of his supporting emotions.

Yesterday in front of 40,000 fans McGeough sealed his return to Celtic with a magnificent goal on his home debut. Taking the ball from just outside his own penalty box before running the length of the field the 18-year-old ignored the pleas of the unmarked Anthony Stokes to his left before drilling the ball into the St Mirren net.

“Being honest I thought that I was finished with Celtic,” McGeough admitted yesterday looking back at his decision to move to Rangers. “I was kind of sad but I was also looking forward to going to Rangers. They are a big club but coming back here and scoring at home is a great feeling.

“I left at the start of under-15’s and signed a three year contract with them.

“I was here with my older brother, he wasn’t too happy, he wasn’t playing, he wasn’t in the plans so he decided to move on. My mum and dad wanted me to leave as well, it wasn’t personal, it was a family thing and the next best place for my development was Rangers. It was five minutes away from my house and that was it.

“Rangers knew that they were getting a massive Celtic fan but they thought that I was a player and that was it- they pay the wages and that was it.

“When I played with Rangers I gave my all, I scored against Celtic and tried my hardest, whatever team I play for I’ll try my hardest but being back here is a bit extra special.”

After signing a pre-contract deal to move to Celtic McGeough had to stay on at Rangers knowing that in the summer he’d again be making the big switch that so few players make.

A metatarsal injury ended his season in April and also delayed his Celtic debut which had been scheduled for the pre-season tour of Australia.

“I had a foot injury from last season,” McGeough added. “When I came here I thought that I’d be going to Australia for pre-season but the doctor decided that I should have an operation with a pin put in my foot to secure it. “That was a disappointment and put things back six to eight weeks but it’s good to be in the managers plans.

“You want to hit the ground running so that was a set back, the gaffer told me that my time would come, I’m still a young boy with a long contract.”

Anyone that has switched from Celtic to Rangers and back again before their 18^th birthday is obviously single minded with McGeough demonstrating that again with his choice of Celtic jersey- the number 46 worn by Aiden McGeady.

“I used to go to all the games and looked upto Aiden McGeady when I was younger,” the old new bhoy explained. “It would excite me when he was on the ball and he was a big figure at Celtic.

“When I wanted to come here I wanted to grab his number- it gives me an opportunity to get the fans excited and live up to that number- hopefully I can do that.

“There are always expectations in football, it’s a lot for me to live upto and hopefully I can achieve it.

“Since I was a young boy I’ve always been here, to score in front of my family will have meant a lot to them.

“There were options to my left and right but because I had two options I just kept running with it- if I had one I’d have played it in- but I was stuck between both and didn’t want to play the wrong option.

“Before I knew it I was in the box and took it on. The players all know what it means to me to play and score here, I got a bit of stick for the celebration but it was all good banter.”

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