CONSIDERING their Europa League opponents Inter Milan have been splashing millions on the likes of Lukasz Podolski and Xherdan Shaqiri, some Celtic fans might be a wee bit underwhelmed by the signing of Dundee United's Gary Mackay-Steven on a pre-contract.
But I think most realise where they are right now and that sometimes you can find a gem out there. Mackay- Steven could be that type of player.
I am not saying he is ready to be a top Champions League player just yet, but I tell you what, I would give him a chance. I think he is one who could step up and I would have no qualms about pitching him into European football, something he has already sampled with Dundee United. I have coached against him and know what he can do to a team. He is a player you know can destroy you - and his full potential has yet to be unearthed.
With Dundee United £1.2 million in profit, they don't need to sell him this month. But if I was Celtic, I would definitely want to bring Gary in now rather than wait until the summer. I know they will be waiting till deadline day trying to get him just now for as little as possible, but I would be saying let's do it now. It might be the best £250,000 they ever spend.
Gary's story is a great one. A boy from Thurso who goes all the way down to Liverpool, doesn't make it there, then gets a second chance at the big time at Celtic after spells at Airdrie and Dundee United. It is huge credit to the boy that he went back to the grassroots game, got his head down and worked hard. He came on in leaps and bounds and has now got the move to Celtic which could see his career take off again. I would like to see him back in the Scotland team. I definitely think he is good enough.
When you see some of his tricks over the years, he is clearly blessed with real natural talent. He is a great lad with a great attitude, but I think it took his spell at Airdrie for the penny to drop with him. I remember seeing him during that time playing in a cup tie against Morton. He scored a great goal that day, but played central midfield and wasn't really willing to track back. He was a bit one-paced, wanting to take his time and play the ball across people in midfield.
I would never have said that night that he looked like a player with real pace who could really hurt teams. But maybe he just didn't know his best position or the best way to harness his talents.
Peter Houston took him to United and I think full-time football helped him. Doing some weights in the gym and doing some power and speed work has brought him on. He now has blistering pace and is, positive, penetrating and direct. He will know himself that the one thing he maybe still lacks is that wee bit of consistency. But that is why I think it is a great time for him to go to Celtic.
Dundee United are a great team and I love watching them, but they can have a blip now and then. Now Gary is going to get loads of the ball and will be allowed to score goals and create chances. He should have a better chance of looking good in this Celtic team and that should help him back into the Scotland squad. Celtic sometimes lack a bit of pace, so I think he will be a great signing for them. He will be getting passes slid in behind the full-back for him to run on to, or getting isolated one-on-one with a chance to run at his full-back. If James Forrest isn't playing, which has happened a lot given his injury record, then Celtic don't really have width, other than the full-backs. The likes of Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons aren't naturals, and Aleksandar Tonev and Wakaso Mubarak haven't impressed on loan.
But Gary loves it out there, he thrives on it. He is an explosive, direct wide player playing at the top of his game and scoring goals. If he ends up joining this month, I am not saying he will win Celtic the league, but he is a cog they are missing.
EVENTS at Ibrox on Friday night summed up Rangers' season. I felt for referee Bobby Madden, but I really don't think the match against Hearts should have started. I am sure he felt under pressure because fans were already in the stadium, but the game should have been called off before kick-off.
Off the park, it is all building up to a climax at Rangers. Dave King and the Three Bears must both be hoping they can oust the current board. On it, they will be hoping the team can sneak up into the SPFL Premiership despite everything else that's going on. If they can manage both then the fans will really feel they have won a watch.
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