Gary Mackay-Steven

I thought he was decent, he wasn't the worst player anyway. I think he's the type of player that needs a few games on the trot to really get into the groove of things.

Some of the criticism on here is a bit over the top IMO. Is it because he's closer to Stuart Armstrong than what some of you people on here will ever be?

 

I was so desperate for him to do well last night. He needs a big moment in a game to lift his confidence, which still seems shattered.

There were a few nice touches in that first half where he was junking away from ICT player, but he was just getting brought down.

I'd tell him to run at players and be positive whenever it is on. He has the ability, just not the self-belief.

 

Looked to me that he took a sore one in that tackle, could have had a wee dead leg to play with for a bit.

I thought he did ok last night. Certainly not setting any heather alight but as long as BR trusts him to put in a shift, that's fine with me.

I did curse a little when he should have played someone in second half. Grrrrr.

 

I just feel, Roberts, Forrest, Sinclair are all well well infront of him and i feel he is a squad player at best and i would be looking for 2 new wide midfielders next season with Roberts and him gone.

 

He lacks belief..

He certainly isn't the worst squad player you could have, but I want player's who are confident of coming on and making an impact..

Player's like Hendo, McGregor and Gamboa are perfect examples of being able to sit out a while and come in and play well..

The more Gms is out, which looks likely anytime our first teamers are fit...I can just see belief being almost non existent..

I could be wrong and feel like I'm being harsh, but truthful..

 

What's your problem? Brendan picks the team. If you have a problem with him, take that up with the man choosing him to start over McGregor who "is better out wide than him". Gtf way yer vendetta.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Seen some posts on here saying that there is hatred for Mackay Steven among posters. Thinh that's bollocks. He was alright last night but that's the issue , sometimes he's alright, which isn't good enough in this team. Not hatred just people's opinion

 

Decent player to come in and out of the team when needed

 

I think people in here are being too harsh but also being to lenient and holding back because he's clearly a good guy with a lack of confidence, but being honest for me he has no future at us and that's simply because he is far too hot and cold, His cold spells seem to last a * lot longer than his hot. He was class last pre season under Deila and I really liked him at the Arabs but his whole game is based on him using his pace and direct running at defenders and being tricky and I'm just not seeing any of that, yes he drops a shoulder now and again but he loses it far to often making slack passes and his final ball is poor along with his shooting.

I have nothing against the guy infact I like him, a tricky winger is something we all enjoy and as a person he seems genuine, and I want him to prove me wrong and succeed here, but for me he is the sort of player that will get 5/10 for 8 games and just be carried somewhat by the fact we are better than everyone else, and then get a 7/8 for the other two and at a club like Celtic that simply isn't good enough.

Hope he proves me wrong but we should be looking to replace him in my opinion unless he is very happy with sub appearances every now and again.

 

Agreed.

Really want him to do something special in a game to give him a wee kick. Hopefully he starts against St Mirren, because if he can't anything against them then we won't have much hope left for him.

 

I like him and if theres something to find in him I'm sure Brendan and the backroom staff will find it .

 

True, he's improved Armstrong, Boyata, Forrest and Gordon hugely.

 

the quote I loved that Brendan uses a few times is " talent in the modern game is not enough , it is the belief you can be better that will make you realise your potential " belief , that's all he needs because the talent is there.

 

Thought he done well, two moments though that springs to mind in the 2nd half. Involved in some good combinations with Lustig and Brown. He then played in Armstrong who took the shot early and forced a good stop from the goalie.The other, he broke away from a couple of tackles and got towards the 18 yard box. Dembele made a good run into space in the area which was asking to be played in. Instead he kept going himself and ran into two ICT players. Decision making letting him down with the latter.

One problem he and Forrest to an extent have, is that the left-hand side combination of KT and Sinclair is tremendous. We seem to favour attacking down the left and rightly so, as no opposition has provided the answer to stopping it.

 

I think you need to also take into account that he missed pre-season and had an operation not all that long ago mate, missed almost a year of football. Could take a while to come back from.

 

Fair enough but he's been back playing since City away in December and i don't think he's stood out once in any game and can't remember an assist? Nevermind a goal..

Also think the fact we were linked and trying to sign the winger from Belgium and other's, also say's something for what Brendan secretly thinks long term..

 

True mate, we are losing Paddy in the summer though. I think Brendan's happy with him in the squad but not as a first teamer. Like I said, 3rd choice. If he's happy with it, * it.

 

True..

I'd say right now he's definitely happy with him as Paddy has been stop start for a large part of Rodgers reign, plus Brendan managing Forrest subbing him off usually late in most game's..

I just think we'll sign better to step in buy if Brendan's happy and Gms can improve when called upon... I'm no gonna complain too much..

 

Gary Mackay-Steven had a decision to make in January. A loan spell at former club Dundee United was on the table and promised to maximise his playing opportunities in a season that was threatening to pass him by.

Had Brendan Rodgers not thrown the winger a surprise recall a month earlier, he might well have gone. But his second-half outing in the Champions League match at Manchester City had provided a rich taste of why it might be worth hanging around.

So, while the likes of Ryan Christie, Nadir Ciftci, Kris Commons and Efe Ambrose headed out of Parkhead in search of game-time during the mid-season window, Mackay-Steven decided to stick it out.


'I wanted to be here and the manager wanted me here, too,' he insisted. 'I was injured at the start of the season. I had an operation on my ankle and I didn't make my first appearance until December, so I hadn't had a lot of time to get up to speed.

'This season has brought a lot of big games and great moments and I wanted to be part of that going forward.'

If the sight of Mackay-Steven trotting on in place of James Forrest at the Etihad after such a long time in storage was something of a surprise, the winger nearly completed a fairy-tale comeback when he lined up a shot which flew straight at City keeper * Caballero.



'I probably should have scored,' said the 26-year-old. 'It was a good chance but I didn't dwell on that for too long. You get a little taste for the Champions League. Those are the biggest games and this club deserves to be on that stage.

'It was just nice to make my first appearance of the season in such a big game. That shows the manager has a lot of trust in me.'

Mackay-Steven's appearance at the Etihad came after eight long months without a game. His previous showing in a Celtic shirt had come on the most miserable of occasions, the club's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers last April.



With Ronny Deila gone and Rodgers ushering in a bold new era at Celtic, it had been assumed that Mackay-Steven would quietly be ushered from the stage. His first club Ross County were hopeful of concluding their own loan deal last August but that ankle injury put paid to a Highland return and may also have perversely helped salvage his Celtic career.

Rodgers has shown a knack for rehabilitating players who had taken on the look of lost causes under the previous regime, with Dedryck Boyata and Mackay-Steven' s old Tannadice team-mate Stuart Armstrong perhaps the two most striking examples.

'I've improved under the manager,' said Mackay-Steven. 'I think the whole squad would say the same. In the short space of time he has been here he has improved us technically and tactically — and it's great to be part of that.

'Every day you learn something new. He expects the front players to be creative and attacking but also be in position to win the ball back as quickly as possible when we don't have it.

'It takes time to really buy into what the manager wants from you but I just trained hard on a daily basis, taking note of what he wants from the players.


'Now I feel up to speed and know exactly what he wants from me. I just had to be patient and make sure I was ready. This is an enjoyable place to be right now. There is a wave of positivity around the club. I'm happy to be part of it.

'I'd maybe want a few more minutes but the team has been doing so well.'


Nevertheless, Mackay-Steven faces a significant challenge to make himself a regular starter for Rodgers. When fit, Scott Sinclair and James Forrest are firmly established as the first-choice wingers, with Patrick Roberts able to deputise on either flank or behind the striker.

Rodgers sees no need to sugar-coat the situation but insists he has been impressed with how the 26-year-old has fought his way into contention.

'Gary's attitude has been amazing,' said the former Liverpool boss. 'He was very unfortunate when I first came in as he was injured in pre-season and then it was difficult for him.

'He deserves a huge amount of credit because he never once gave up, never once thought he wasn't going to get a chance.

'And he has attributes that I like: pace and an eye for a goal. He presses well, works hard and I like how he plays. Sometimes it just takes a wee bit of time at a big club like Celtic and he has big competition.

'If you think of him, Patrick, James and Scotty, I have four really good wingers that can create opportunities and can score goals. I think there is more to come from him in terms of creativity and goalscoring threat.'

Given that he was involved when Celtic exited the Scottish Cup last season and was absent for the entirety of this term's successful League Cup campaign, there is no questioning Mackay- Steven's hunger to be involved in this afternoon's quarter-final against St Mirren.

He started in what the manager described as a complete performance at Inverness in midweek. 'I would echo those words,' said the winger. 'We were good value for the win and I was delighted to be part of that.'