Nah, every player that made the Celtic bench last night more than deserve it on their pre-season form. McCourt was good against Spurs but the others were on the edge of a starting place in the 1st team.
McCourt will make it at Celtic. McGinn has no chance. Extremely limited player, imo.
See McGinn has been called up for NI squad today. Surprised he has made it ahead of McCourt who looks a lot closer to a first team place at Celtic.
Regarding McGinn and McCourt, I think we may be guilty of (incorrectly) comparing them directly with each other, since they both came from Derry and went to Celtic etc.
Whereas I suspect NW may have considered McCourt with a view to his stepping straight into the team, on the strength of his age, experience and undoubted ability, but has since thought better of it (fitness? attitude?).
Whereas he doesn't see McGinn as being First XI material just yet, but perhaps offers the potential to develop into a first teamer in 2 or 3 years time.
In that respect, I'd say McGinn bears better comparison with Ryan McGivern (Man.City reserve) or Andy Little (Rangers 1st team fringe), in that NW looks to be fast-tracking those two in a similar fashion in the medium term?
If so, then it has to be good news for McGinn (and possibly bad for McCourt), since NW knows exactly what he wants (or is plain stubborn, if you're not a fan of his!).
Moreover, with the intense interest he shows in the under-age players, right down to Youth* level, NW is also thinking in the long-term, i.e. even beyond the likes of McGinn, McGivern and Little.
* - Shane Duffy appears to be an example of that long-term vision, I'd say.
In a Celtic context, what Eirebhoy said.
And based on what a pal from Derry says who knows the family, he doesn't think PMcC. would be obviously bothered in playing for, er, the North.
Whereas NMcG seems to better fit the 'profile' wanted by Nigel Worthington.
That would be something different to what Paddy himself has said in the press.
For example, he said this after his cameo appearance against San Marino earlier this year:
"Getting the international call-up was a bonus to my season. I'd hoped that I would be given the chance again to play for Northern Ireland but I had to be patient," he said.
"I really enjoyed it and want to win more caps. I'm only 25 so have time on my side.
However, if he isn't bothered, perhaps he will do the right thing and say so - then Northern Ireland move on without him.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Get the feeling that McCorut isn't bothered about anything. Could easily see him living out of a whiskey bottle
based on nothing other than scruffiness of course
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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Think you are probably right EG about NW thinking long term. McCourt is such an enigma, saw him score a goal for Celtic reserves last season on Celtic TV where he beat three men on the byline one after the other. It will be interesting to see whether either get much of a look in this season as Mowbray seems intent on playing Maloney and McGeady in wide the positions.
As for McCourt not being bothered about beoing overlooked by NI, it begs the question why did he elect to play for them? He could have done a Gibson.
Is there any match he won't make this type of successful run in?He did it twice against Man City today setting up excellent chances. This 2nd one in particular was brilliant. 4 players beaten in an instant. He just does it so instinctively. Didn't misplace a pass all game in his central role. He'd be a star for Northern Ireland if given the chance.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ls/8198628.stm
Just noticed this on the BBC, sounds like he has a future for NI.
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Looks like McGinn has a bright future.
I'm a 23yr old right-handed heterosexual who drinks milk and likes democracy. - dcfcsteve knows me well
Starts for Celtic today
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