Dylan McGeouch wants to use Arbroath to cement his place in Neil Lennon’s first team plans.
The midfielder’s season has been blighted by injury including a terrifying fractured jaw against Real Madrid that saw him out cold and hospitalised.
Celtic’s League Cup win over Raith Rovers showed McGeouch at his best as the team hit form but competition for places in the hoops midfield is fierce.
McGeouch has watched James Forrest (sort of) and Tony Watt score in the Champions League this season and knows the benchmark he has to aim for.
“What’s happened with Tony just goes to show the gaffer is always ready to give young players a chance,” the bhoy from Possil admitted.
“James Forrest took his chance last year and now you see Tony doing really well. He has done very well this season, scored a few goals and everybody is talking about him.
“It proves if you get a good run of games in the team and do well then you can be right up there.”
McGeouch added: “Last season was excellent for me, including that goal against St Mirren.
“Everybody was talking about it and describing it as goal of the season but I kind of want to kick on from that, do well and be remembered for more than just that goal at Parkhead.
“I want to be a main part of the first team, that’s the aim, to play a lot of games. I do think making the Champions League squad is a realistic target for me. You just need to be fit and ready to go.
“You never know when the manager will give you the call to show your stuff.
“This season has not been the best for me this season with injuries. I had the bad head injury against Real Madrid in Philadelphia, then I did my knee a few weeks ago. “Hopefully now I can put the injuries behind me and get on with the rest of the season, make up for it and get games.
“It is depressing to be injured because there are a lot of big games at Celtic. If I start against Arbroath it will be as big a game as there has been for me.
“Every game I play for the first team is massive for me but this could be a chance for me to play at Parkhead, do well and possibly get into the gaffer’s plans for the Champions League game against Spartak. You never know when there will be the opportunity to get a run of games and do well.”
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I’d be delighted to see Dylan get a run of games in the first team, been disappointed we haven’t taken the opportunity to give him more game time to date.
I am certain he would bring both ability but also a freshness & enthusiasm to the side that would spread to other players, excite the fans. Always great to see a young player take the next step, might not be capable of playing 30-40 games but definitely would bring something extra to the team.
Great to see Dylan back amongst the 1st team. Strange to think that his goal against St Mirren was over a year ago now. Hopefully he will take his chance today and show Lennon that he should be pushing for a 1st team place or regular slot on the bench.
Glad to see Lennon give the young bhoys a chance. I might be wrong but we’ve seen Watt, McGeouch, Filip Twardzik, Irvine, McGregor and Chalmers all get game time at some point so far this season? Going in the right direction if you ask me. Hopefully Atajic will be on the bench today too.
I agree. Dylan was looking excellent against Real Madrid until that injury. Would have brought him on ahead of Brown midweek.
Hope to see a lot more of him throughout the season, however there is great competition for places.
I would have liked to have seen a 2nd string team in the League Cup (with Zaluska in goal).
Ibrahim is a player in the celtic mould,so why no game time.