Paddy McCourt: Why does he receive the adulation he does from our fans?

And why was that, might i ask? Enough said really.

 

I've not really taken much notice of this thread, but surely it stands to reason that a player like McCourt is afforded the status that he is (and I don't for a minute believe he's regarded as being alongside Henrik Larsson) is because of the type of player he is?

I remember Moravcik gaining similar levels of support during his time with the club.

Celtic fans have always loved the maverick skillful type of player, it's as simple as that. McCourt will never be remembered as a Celtic great, but he's certainly a fan favourite because of the way he plays the game.

 

Actually agree with a lot of what Frank has to say. I too believe McCourt is completely overrated.

 

He's gOOd but he's not that gOOd. Lenny clearly thinks the same. As they said on the Lost Bhoys last podcast 'if Paddy played like he does for 90 seconds over 90 minutes then he'd be a great player' Or something like that.

If he's happy at Celtic coming off the bench for 10 minutes a game then I'm happy to keep him there. Would rather see some young bhoys getting on instead though.

Lubo was ten times the player Paddy is.

 

I don't think you believe for a minute he was suggesting anything differently. He is merely pointing out that players with that little bit of exceptional skill, i.e. something out of the orginary, always receive adulation from the Celtic supporters.

Paddy couldn't lace Lubo's boots but he is still one of those players in the eyes of the Celtic faithful.

 

I agree that McCourt is totally over-rated as well, I don't rate him much personally, and have never hid that opinion. But at the same time the criticism that comes in from those who don't rate him is just as OTT as the praise and adulation he gets.

 

Exactly.

As for the 'if Paddy played like he does for 90 seconds over 90 minutes then he'd be a great player' idea, you can also throw into the mix that he almost certainly wouldn't be plying his trade in the SPL if that were the case.

 

Exactly. Also factor in the manner in which most of the goals were scored. Watching him play is entertaining, simple as that; he's one of the few players we have who can come off the bench and very noticably change the dynamic of a game. Also, the fact that this is his fifth season - despite a lack of first team football - shows his love for the club and merits a bit of admiration as well.

 

Another factor not to be forgotten is the idea that he's basically the fan who got the chance to play for Celtic. I daresay that we all see a little bit of ourselves in him.

How many of us can honestly say that we haven't at one point dreamed of coming off the bench to skin three players and stroke the ball into the top corner at Celtic Park?

Paddy looks and acts like that guy who could be living two doors down from you in the east end of Glasgow.

 

I have came to the conclusion that Paddy had sexual intercourse with Franks Timatra's sister!

 

Mature..

 

The question in this thread shouldn't be why do people love Paddy, it's why do some seem to hate him so much?

So what if he doesn't start very often, so what if three different managers haven't given him an extended run - they haven't got rid of him either -, the fact is he is entertaining. When he comes on you are expecting the unexpected, that's what football is about for me.

He is on low wages, never complains and has given us a good few genuine out of your seat moments.

Players like that are a rare commodity these days, why wouldn't anyone admire that?

 

The question has been answered innumerable times. The reasons have been put forward with common sense and a feeling of answering the question genuinely. Is it any wonder people are getting annoyed with Timatra's droning on? How many times do you want to hear the answer? Do you want to annoy people? Look through the 20(!!!!!) pages of this thread and you'll see there's lots of reasons why folk love Paddy, what are you actually trying to achieve? Everyone has to bow to your superior opinion I suppose? All fall at the feet of Frank and admit we've been silly wee boys?

Also, please don't send me anymore PMs. I haven't read any of them and have no intention of doing so. Thanks.

 

I honestly don't get this notion that Paddy McCourt is "over-rated".

Over-rated by who exactly?

The media?

Nope. I don't see many articles raving about how good Paddy is.

His manager?

Nope. Neil Lennon hardly ever picks him.

His fellow pros?

Nope. I don't recall many of Paddy's team mates insisting that he should be in the team.

The fans?

Not really. Most Northern Ireland fans probably don't even want him in their team. As for Celtic fans, there are plenty of people on this forum who openly state that they don't think Paddy is a great player or that he should only be used as a supersub. You also rarely see McCourt's name in the team line-ups that people post in the match threads. If he was over-rated then surely he'd be in most people's team most of the time?

Paddy is popular with the fans because of the style with which he plays the game. He takes men on and he is capable of scoring the occasional wonder goal, Celtic fans have always embraced players like that. The fact that he comes from Derry and is a Celtic fan obviously does his popularity rating no harm either.

There's a big difference between being popular and being over-rated.

 

You've hit the nail on the head there

 

Well put, as was the post that followed it and without any attempt to put us all to sleep with stats either.

 

Because he's clearly better than Messi!

 

I just dont think you understand