Tony Watt came of age BIG TIME on Saturday in Inverness and showed his potential Champions League credentials with a brace which would have graced any side in any league.
True, one swallow doesn’t necessarily mean your budgie smugglers are in for a soaking anytime soon, however, there’s something about this gifted protégé that excites me and makes me want to believe in him.
He has a way about him that makes you want him to succeed. He’s really the epitope of what I believe Celtic Supporters desire in their heroes; he’s big and strong, has two good feet and has the confidence to use them-and wisely!
He’s crafty but not cocky (much) and he revels in the Celtic Fans glorifying his name. If he continues in this electric frame, they’ll be glorifying him right into Champions League fame and fortune, especially for one so young. He’ll lap it up I suspect, give a cheeky grin to the cameras and get on with the business of doing grand things for one of the greatest football clubs on the planet.
He’s not an Academy Bhoy although, when shrewdly purchased from Airdrie, he did a stint with the aforementioned students and the proof of The Late, Great Tommy Burns’ pudding is in the eating. Whether or not he plays against Helsingborg, Tony Watt’s future is bright. I hope it stays Green and White!
I have been watching Neil Lennon’s progress as Celtic boss with great interest. He has changed his philosophy slightly and I see more of O’Neill as he goes. He will take a lot from his time with Martin and when correctly implemented, (and I don’t feel that’s too far away,) Celtic could be a formidable force again.
Not domestically of course for without the Teds to cheat them out of a few points-make that titles, it should be a year of developing young fringe players, as the league should only last half the year. I’m not being cocky saying that, it’s just my opinion and many will share this view.
Players like Twardzik, Watt, McGeough, Forrest, Keatings etc etc, these are the players being moulded into the Celtic style of football and are the future. Celtic are maintaining their enviable stance on developing their own as the base of the team and when in the mix with older, more experienced players, Celtic will be firing on all cylinders soon.
I fondly remember my dad (Ted) recount his tales of “The Quality Street Kids,” (all animated of course with arms going like windmills in his passion,) and his face lighting up when he mentioned George Connolly, Danny McGrain, Victor Davidson, Lou Macari and of course, the inimitable Kenny Dalglish-my ultimate Celtic Hero in the ‘70’s.
You see, Ted went off to see the reserves if he couldn’t get to the away games in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Then he’d come in, chest puffed out and bellow, “Edward! You should have seen these boys today. Just wait ‘till they’re a wee bit older. They’ll be some players. That boy Dalglish can make the bliddy ball sing!”
These memories are unfortunately what young players of today are up against. Tales of legends and those boots, are hard to fill. It should, however, galvanise them into bigger and better performances if they aspire to be legends of their own making, and then they should take inspiration from the greats of yore.
The Quality Street Kids, Charlie Nicholas, John Thompson and today’s cult trickster, James Forrest. They all proved the old adage that if you’re good enough then you’re old enough. Tony Watt is at the age where he has some proving to do. He’s started his campaign in some style and he’s not only thrown down the gauntlet to Scotland’s goalkeepers, he’s slapped them square across the face with grievous intent.
As I say, I’d love to see him fulfil his fantastic potential and I believe I will. If the Gaffer puts him in alongside Gary Hooper at Celtic Park on Wednesday night in the ECL, I wouldn’t blame him. He would not let him down although I suspect Lenny will go for experience and I can’t see Samaras displaced after the havoc he caused in the 1st leg in Sweden.
I won’t say “Good Luck” to Celtic for the game as I believe you make your own luck. I think we will beat them again and we’ll see goals. The stadium will be rockin’ and rollin’ when Celtic are officially and gloriously through to the group stages.
We’ve waited four years and, safe in the knowledge we were cheated out of many more recently, the celebrations will be cacophonous-and long. If Watt plays a part, I’ll be delighted. If not, I’ll enjoy his next sojourn in the Hoops. As MY Father Ted would say, “He’s going to be some bliddy player that boy!”
Prediction?
3-1 Celtic.
Hail Hail!
Eddie Murray
