Paddy McCourt

He hasn't scored since May 2011, and I don't remember any assists at all since then. He has no end-product. 5th season here and what's his main highlight? A few wonder-goals in low-key games when we were already infront? He comes on to save the game and it's the same mediocre performance each and everytime these days.

He's only got 11 caps and he earned his first one over 10 years ago. Suggests he's not good enough even for lowly Northern Ireland.

 

He is good enough for NI. He's a starter when fit and one of there best players.

 

Dunno if it's just me but every time I hear someone refer to him as 'The Derry Pele' just makes me cringe.

 

Firstly, the same could be said of anyone who doesn't score in what you consider to be a "big game". So some goals matter now but other don't?

Secondly, if he's not fit or not getting regular first team football he's hardly going to be in a position to be selected even for the wee six, is he? It's a bit of a catch 22.

 

11 caps in 10 years? :smiley-laughing002:

 

In recent times he just can't stay fit!

 

I would be a lot more tolerant of this sudden abuse of McCourt if he had actually been starting regularly or even if he had been a regular substitute.

If he started and played * today I would understand this level of antipathy - but when he came on and played well, one of a handful who did?

 

No. I was pointing out he's never really produced the goods when it's mattered. Scoring a goal when we're 3-0 up against St.Mirren isn't important. The only time I remember him coming on and winning us points was the late assist for Hooper in the Dougie Dougie game at Tannadice, and that was over 2 years ago.

 

It's always the same mate, unless he comes on and scores a wonder goal he's *. No matter about the lack of playing time he gets.

 

Well that's good isn't it? If he was that unfit he wouldn't be on the bench all the time, or even in the 23 man squad. He just isn't good enough to start.

 

every time he plays he plays well ,even if he doesnt score a wondergoal in the 5 mins hes usually given

 

He's hardly had any game time full stop. I prefer to give players the benefit of the doubt when they've had as few real appearances as McCourt has had.

If he had started today and played * I could understand the sudden wave of anti-McCourtism, but after what actually happened today it just seems unreasonable.

 

He would be a logical choice in a rotated starting XI but our manager insists on playing the same eleven men no matter what.

If he wasn't good enough he wouldn't have come on today, would he?

 

What we need most games is McCourt to be starting. * all creativity and no link up play between midfield and attack

 

I'm genuinely appalled that after today's performance McCourt of all people is the one getting any flak whatsoever.

This thread and other comments elsewhere are nothing to do with McCourt's performance today and I am mystified as to why anyone would want to put the boot into McCourt after that performance, I really am.

 

I'm confident given a chance he is good enough for the first team. Problem is he has Sammy, Commons and Ledley in front of him.

 

He isn't starting for Celtic (or Northern Ireland) because he isn't good enough, it's that simple. That's 3 Celtic managers who don't deem him good enough to start, and countless Northern Ireland managers.

His fitness is absolutely dreadful, so he can barely do 90 minutes. The only reason we still have him is for these 10-15 minute appearances from the bench when we need a goal, and when he stops being effective doing that (which he has for the last 18 months) then there's really no need for Paddy to still be here.

 

Like the other poster said....11 caps in 10 years.......not match fit for all that time or just not good enough.

 

Certainly in the event of squad rotation, and especially in league matches.

 

You're not going to change my mind and I'm not going to change yours, so I'll leave it at that.