How do we get a fit Paddy McCourt in the team?

Only ever going to be an impact player. Would he even have the stamina to last 90 minutes at a lower level?

 

i think lennon will come up with something.... Paddy is perfect for the stagnant situations we find ourselves in on occassion

 

I'd love to see him play behind a striker with no defensive responsibility whatsoever, brown & crosas doing the dirty work and mcgeady & fortune/whoever out wide. He'd run riot! We could easily afford such a 'luxury' especially against SPL also rans

 

The only player it has ever worked with is Moravcik. He had players around him that would track back for him. Thompson, agathe, Lennon, LAmbert, Petrov, even Larsson could get back. I dont think we have enough players like that, to let McCourt into the team, with a free role. He may have to settle for some action coming off the bench

 

The Xmas tree formation is a great idea Mmmikey, I didn't see it like that - perhaps that could work.

I really think that Paddy could be the key to unlocking SPL defenses, especially when Keane goes back to London.

Look at us last weekend against Killie, we played very well - but it took a moment of genius from Keane to eventually make the breakthrough & then get the all important 2nd too. Both were really individualistic goals from Keane, although technically I suppose he was assisted in both by passes from Brown.

Anyway, Paddy is probably the only Celtic player capable of scoring those Keane goals, especially the 1st one.

He has the ability to unlock tight defences, with his close control & dribbling - he also has the ability to finish, which Aiden doesn't seem to have - although he hit the woodwork twice against Killie.

If Aiden works on his finishing & Paddy works on his fitness, both of them behind a striker (Rasmussen's better option IMO) in the Xmas tree formation - with a solid, good passing defensive structure behind them, could really do the business.

Nice!

Well in Mmmikey!

 

I think there is no problem playing him wide. Maloney and Naka have in the past played brilliant wide although they are not really winger and played on the 'wrong side'. What I do not understand is why is not used as an impact sub most games. He is brilliant at that role. That was another Mogga mystery.

 

hes better coming on as a sub and running at tired defenders

 

One * of a special talent.

Patsy has the same problem that stopped a lot of good Irish men in their tracks: THE DRINK!

The best spell he had in his career he was off the drink!

 

I agree with this.

Paddy is a fantastic talent, although if players can't or won't track back - it's ultimately very difficult to fit them in anywhere. Especially with Paddy's fitness issues too, I can only see him ever being an impact-sub.

Lennon has a lot of time for Paddy, I think we will be looking to use him whenever desperate for a goal. Assuming we can get him fit first.

 

Agree with this

If it was just a case of lack of training he would be at stage by now where he could last a full game. I just think that's the way he is and sadly we will only ever see him as a sub or playing from the start in less important games.
It's a pity as he is a joy to watch

 

Bring him on when we've got complete control and need a wee bit of a spark. Gives him the freedom he needs and doesn't disrupt the team.

Anything else doesn't really work IMO.

 

i was being serious, i really would hate to see him in the team. he scores a goal and is out for 7 months. he cant run. he isnt strong enough. hes not a winger, not a striker and isnt physical enough for a CM. skill wise he is decent, just not fast enough for the wings and not strong enough for the centre.

but for your "how can we?" then it would have to be with him in a free role. with 2 strikers and 2 defensive mids and maybe broony.

but i dont think it is worth playing him at all.

 

In Lennon's first game in charge it seemed as though McGeady had basically a free role to roam about the Killie defense and the commentators kept saying how we were trying to get him involved as much as possible and McGeady delivered with one of his best performances in a long while. If Lennon keeps that tactic in place McCourt would be great cover for McGeady and possibly play alongside him once Lenny "toughens" the Bhoys up.

 

I heard channel67 commentators say the same thing but felt they were looking for things that came across as different from TM's setup.. I don't think Mcgeady has had to play to any instruction at all this season.. Time and again , game after game he's been dropping back towards our own half , picks the ball up and countless times I've seen him switch wings or cut inside and play straight through the middle.. Not sure if others see it the same..
I also think Mcgeady has been consistently good for the best part of two months with barely anyone else taking the weight off him (Obviously Keane has taken the weight off everyone to an extent but I feel Mcgeady has also been a factor in Keane's success) , give or take the huns game and St Mirren , perhaps an off night and illness.

 

I dont think he'll be around beyond the summer in any case.

One of these guys that is just constantly injured.

 

I agree with this, the team tends to dump the ball on him to try to create opprotunities instead of trying to slow it down a bit

 

People say McGeady losses the ball too much and is poor at crossing but it's just emphasized because he does have the ball more than any player in attacking positions and I bet he has whipped in twice as many crosses as the next Celtic player. As for McCourt leaving I think it depends on if Lennon is made Permanent Manager. If Lennon stays McCourt stays. And I hope both prove to be true.

 

if we went 3 5 2 ,which should be fine in the spl,at home games at least,we could have 2 grafters and 1 creative player in midfield.this could be mccourt mcgeady maloney or mcginn providing a bit of trickery/entertainment and getting more end product than sending them out wide ,possibly

 

Play a 4-3-3.

 

With who where?