McCourt, Patrick

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Fullname: Patrick James McCourt
aka: Patrick McCourt, Paddy McCourt, The Derry Pele, The Derry Diego
Born: 16 Dec 1983
Birthplace: Derry, Ireland
Height: 5.11
Signed: 19 June 2008 (£200k from Derry City)
Left: 22 Aug 2013
Position: Winger/Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 4-2 Hibernian, SPL, 25th October 2008
Squad No.: 20
Internationals: N Ireland
International Caps: 18
International Goals: 2

Biog

Winger Pat McCourt was a surprise signing when he became the Bhoys first buy of summer 2008.

The 24-year-old Northern Ireland internationalist agreed a three-year deal with the SPL champions after finalising his transfer on June 19th. The Derry City man’s contract was set to expire in November and he was expected to join West Bromwich Albion in England’s Premiership for a reported fee of little more than £50,000. But at the eleventh hour McCourt headed north to join the Hoops for an undisclosed sum.

The 24-year-old McCourt had moved to England as a 16 year old to join Rochdale but was released in 2005. After an unsuccessful trial with Motherwell he returned to Ireland with Shamrock Rovers and after a brief spell in Dublin joined his home town club Derry.

A skilful wideman and comfortable on the right and left flanks, McCourt is a former FAI Young Player of the Year who earned rave reviews for his performances with Derry. At the Brandywell Pat was unquestionably one of Derry’s standout performers in the League of Ireland and had also caught the eye in the UEFA Cup with his displays against IFK Gothenburg and PSG.

Off the field issues, fitness problems and a poor attitude have all reportedly dogged McCourt over the years and despite his undoubted talent it looked like his potential would never be fulfilled. The problem was that he was lumped with the unenviable tag of ‘the new George Best’. Managers have gushed over his ability, yet even against lower opposition in England he was found wanting at times. No denying some of his touches and performances, but few and far between did mean that he was fast becoming a bit of a lost wonder. Despite the praise it’s on the field that matters.

Initial reports of his time at Celtic suggested he had all the talent in the world but was said to lack the fitness to go with it. This perceived lack of fitness, combined with the managerial upheavals during McCourt’s first 2 seasons at Parkhead contributed to a slow start for McCourt. However a new manager in Neil Lennon for season 2010/11 saw McCourt make a contribution to the first team, scoring 7 times in 35 appearances. Despite this McCourt could not establish himself as a regular starter facing stiff competition for wide places from Maloney, Forrest & Commons.

What marks McCourt out is how many of his goals were wonder goals, often involving a mazy run beating several defenders before slipping the ball past the keeper. He was one of the most naturally gifted players we had seen at Celtic for many a year, with the bottle to make a great run with the ball attacking players and dribbling round them as if it were so easy. He was the great type of player that fans love to watch and gets them out of their seat at matches. This magical ability, combined with his somewhat bohemian appearance, led to McCourt becoming a cult hero among the support and earning himself the nickname of the Derry Pele. This cult status, combined with the advent of social media, had even led to McCourt becoming the subject of a fake Twitter account, further embellishing the McCourt legend.

Disturbingly, due to his N Irish Catholic background, bigots from across the city found him to be an easy target, and McCourt was sent bullets in the post (as were also sent to fellow N Irish colleagues at Celtic McGinn & Lennon). He deserved better but the Celtic support rounded about him to show their backing and support.

One of his best moments included a magical goal v Hearts (Sep 10), where he simply danced through the Hearts defence and slotted it in perfectly. He first started with the ball and took it on a mazy slalom run, winding round all the defenders before tucking the ball in wonderfully behind the keeper. This style of goal was his trademark and he repeated it on many occasions. He was class to watch. He really had the talent to be at the top. He frightened defenders and bamboozled their management. His goals were collectors’ items, and he could only seem to score spectacular goals. Most players would be happy with even just one or two of the quality of some of his goals.

Some of his best and most notable goals:

• v Falkirk (Sep 2009),
• v St Mirren (Sep 2009),
• v St Pauli (friendly, 2010),
• v Hearts (Sep 2010)
• v Inv Caledonian Thistle (Aug 2010)
• v Inv Caledonian Thistle (Nov 2010),

His popularity even led to a signature chant of “Paddy McCourt’s Fenian Army” by the appreciative Green Brigade, something that led to the club getting into trouble with the hamfisted jobsworths at UEFA who ridiculously found it to be “illicit” (not sectarian) and charged Celtic for it.

The problem was how do you fit McCourt into the side? McCourt had played under three different managers (Strachan, Mowbray & Lennon), and under each none knew how to accommodate such a free-spirited player into a system. All found it difficult. If anything, he became a supersub and if there were problems then he’d be brought on late on a game to try to spark some magic and win the points (a pathetically desperate move and unfair burden on McCourt). Paddy was given chances for full 90minutes but rarely seemed to prove his worth and as the squad became overburdened with midfielders under Neil Lennon, Paddy was pushed further back in the queue. With Celtic losing the league over 2009-2011, it didn’t help him that managers were less likely to take a gamble on someone like Paddy than play more orthodox midfielders (like Kayal, Brown or Ki).

Some would just say that he was a talent from a bygone era, a throwback to a time that had long since passed. Cruel but some truth to it as teams were more defensively minded and system orientated than say back in the 50’s or 60’s whose formations and style may have suited Paddy more. Teams are more regimented than before and independent players on the pitch are deemed by some as a bit of luxury. Strachan in particular seemed to be very harsh on anything like this.

People should not get the idea that he was lazy as some uninformed critics wrongly used to say. Fellow team-mate Shaun Maloney remarked in an interview that actually Paddy was the hardest training person in the squad. Likely his late renaissance in the game came too late for his conditioning, whereas if he’d had it earlier in his career or life then he’d have been better conditioned for a full game. He just seemed that marginally off. There is no denying his skill and work rate but the end result did not tally up with the sum of its parts.

Celtic needed more than a player for the grandstand, and all the extra physical training in the world so late in his career development wasn’t going to work. Most sadly bemoaned that we couldn’t find a place for him somehow in the first team, but it was a difficult task which not only Celtic found difficult to manage. He was frustrated at this situation and we could all sympathise as we saw such a great entertainer having to simply warm the benches rather than our hearts.

He had his admirers out with of Celtic too. After a wonder goal for N Ireland, the rumours in the papers stated that he was to be bought by Liverpool. Sadly, it remained as unfulfilled rumours, but the international game did briefly bring him the praise for his ability that he deserved and provided another grand stage for his talents.

With opportunities increasingly limited at Celtic, even off the bench, the writing was on the wall. Many fans still loved him and on fears of his imminent departure, a popular ditty was written for him in May 2012 (see: link)

#Don’t sell McCourt
Paddy McCourt!
I just don’t think you understand!

#And if you sell McCourt
Paddy McCourt!
You might just have a riot on your hands!!!!#

However he remained at Celtic, but increasingly a curiosity in the squad more famous for the ditties sung about him rather than for his intermittent appearances. He was a bench-warmer, and with the success of the side domestically (now with no Rangers) and in European football, there was little argument for his inclusion as a starter from anyone who was being rational. Still didn’t stop the manager on occasion throwing him on when things weren’t working out on the pitch, but the McCourt magic was now exhausted and little of note was coming out from the fleeting performances. However, when a goal was scored you could see his joy at seeing the team succeed and he joined in with fellow players in the goal celebrations. It was good to see and made him more respected by the support.

In the Scottish Cup final v Hibs in season 2012/2013, he was given a run-out at the tail-end of the match, and as he came on he was handed the captain’s armband by Joe Ledley and given a very warm welcome by the support. So he was captain of a Celtic side in a winning cup final, and very well received the honour was by him. It was a great gesture by his fellow players & the coaches.

In truth, there were a number of supporters tired with the eulogising of Paddy McCourt. As said above, despite all the tricks & turns, he actually played little and on occasion did little for the first team (not necessarily all his fault). So to many of the critics, the praise from others was misplaced and too much attention was unfairly directed towards him as against others who had been more productive. Harsh but some truth in this line. Regardless, Paddy did give his all whenever he pulled on the jersey and for that we should all respect him at least.

In 2013, he was released on a free from Celtic, although Lennon had indicated at one point he had spoken to him to stay on. He joined Barnsley in England in August 2013, after being courted by various clubs.

He wasn’t to reach the heights that someone of his talents deserves to, but the modern game is unforgiving. He’d helped to put a smile on our faces and a grimace on that of the Rangers’ supporters. For that we are very much thankful to him.

Paddy McCourt. Gone but will not be forgotten, and despite the lyrics of the ditty, no trouble followed his departure. Left us with some great moments of talented play on the pitch.

He definitely was leaving with Celtic firmly in his heart:

“Not many Celtic supporters get the chance to do what I did, to live the dream. I consider myself fortunate I was able to.”

He later moved on from Barnsley after one season to Brighton & Hove Albion, Notts County (loan) and Luton before returning to the Emerald Isle to play for Glenavon and Finn Harps where he wrapped up his career in 2018. Wherever he went, he lit up the matches with some fine performances, leaving behind some memorable moments.

We wish him the very best.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish Premier League

• 2011-12, 2012-13

Scottish Cup

• 2011, 2013
  

Pictures

• Player Pics

Articles

• Misc Articles

Links

• Paddy McCourt Song

Quotes

“I’m thrilled and it still hasn’t quite sunk in yet to be honest,” he smiled, just seconds after signing on the dotted line for his beloved Hoops. “This is a dream come true for me. There was interest from a few clubs but as soon as I found out that Celtic were in forme, my mind was made up. I have always been a Celtic supporter and there was only one choice to make. It’s an honour to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours, but I’m just delighted to get everything sorted out. To sign for this club is a dream and when I get back home tonight, it might all finally sink in. It’s just been an incredible day.”
McCourt said: “I’m joining one of the biggest clubs in the world. Celtic have won the SPL title three times in a row and compete in the Champions League every season. What more could you ask for? My first target is to get a good pre-season under my belt and then take it from there. The quality in the Celtic squad is unbelievable but I’ll be trying to push my way into the manager’s plans as soon as possible. I can’t wait to get started.”
Paddy McCourt on being signed

“Paddy is one of the nicest men I have met in football and all of the boys in the Celtic squad will be sad to see him move on. Wherever he goes on to play I wish him every success. I am sure he will do well because he is one of the best players I have ever played with. Technically, he is just a genius. He is a real entertainer and has become a hero to the supporters during his time at Celtic. The fans absolutely love him.”
Kris Commons (2013)

“Not many Celtic supporters get the chance to do what I did, to live the dream. I consider myself fortunate I was able to.”
Paddy McCourt after leaving Celtic (2013)

“When Paddy got a ball he was a genius. It was incredible. He couldn’t run without a ball but when he had the ball at his feet he was so quick over three or four yards. He would flick the ball, move and be down low and have a low centre of gravity and have that wee burst of space to get past you, Now everyone was thinking, ‘Here we go – we’ve found the new George Best!’ Technically, he is one of the best players I have ever seen.”
Scott Brown on Paddy McCourt (2015)