Tony Watt has revealed how he battled his way through asthma attacks that dogged his childhood.
The 18-year-old visited Yorkhill Hospital on Monday with his team-mates to meet the kids stuck in hospital with the visit bringing back strong family memories.
For the millions that watched his race clear of the Barcelona defence and plant the ball past Victor Valdes the striker looked a picture of health.
Not so long ago the Coatbridge bhoy was a regular at Yorkhill as he revealed on his return to the hospital on Celtic duty.
“When I was younger I had to go to Yorkhill after asthma attacks,” he explained. “And my sister Alana had something wrong with her heart, so she had to attend there for years.
“So going there I knew what to expect, but it really brings you back down to earth and shows you how lucky you are.
“Some of these kids do not get the chance to live, some do not see past their first or second birthday.
“Luckily enough for me I’m 18, healthy and playing for the best team in the country, so I know I could not ask for much more.
“I was still young when I had to go to Yorkhill so I don’t remember too much, but I think I had to stay overnight a few times.
“My sister had to get several operations, but she is fine now and for that I will always be thankful to Yorkhill.
“I will always try to give something back to the hospital. If I ever see someone in the street collecting for Yorkhill I will always help and see what I can do for them. Fortunately I just grew out of my asthma.”
Watt added: “I came to the conclusion I didn’t really need inhalers any more so I stopped using them but I used to suffer asthma attacks when I was playing football as a kid.
“It was scary, I was only a young boy, I was in primary seven at the time, and it didn’t help my football.
“But I never worried it might stop me from becoming a professional footballer. I was too young to think about that and to me asthma was just one of those things.”
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Good Health and happiness to all the Children at Yorkhill and beyond for the future.
YNWA