Crossing Dublin divide is NOTHING compared to leaving Gers for Celtic
NEW HOOPS ACE IS READY FOR ABUSE AFTER OLD FIRM SWITCH
WHEN he turns up to play at Dalymount Park on a Friday night in April he will be ready for it.
Dog’s abuse from the stands won’t bother Liam Burt.
He knew joining Shamrock Rovers from fierce rivals Bohemians wouldn’t go down well but he’ll handle it.
Because when you’re from Glasgow and you’ve dared to join Celtic directly from Rangers, nothing going to faze you.
Having already featured at Ibrox as a highly-rated youngster under Mark Warburton, it was a courageous move but one that had sickening consequences.
As a result of moving to Parkhead in 2019, Burt was abused online and in person. Threats were made to harm him physically. His girlfriend Lauren was also targeted.
He received vile internet messages from trolls who wished cancer on his family.
But now, at 23, he’s ready to ignite his career and instead of worrying about a return to Bohemians in a few months he’s relishing it.
Of his Old Firm switch he said: “I took a lot of stick and it became a bigger deal than I ever thought it would be.
“I knew I’d get a bit of abuse. That’s just football, especially when you go from Rangers to Celtic. But I didn’t think it would be as bad as it was.
“My mum and dad were worried about me. Lauren is actually a Rangers supporter so it wasn’t nice for her either.
“People on Twitter knew that so they tried to give her a bit of stick as well. She ended up arguing with Rangers fans, even though she is one! I didn’t expect the level it got to.
“It was mostly on social media but a couple of times when I was in town people came up to me. It wasn’t that bad in person.
“On social media some of the messages were horrible. Most of the time I wouldn’t reply.
“But there were a few wishing cancer on my family members. That’s a terrible thing to say to anybody.
“If it’s abuse directed at me, I wouldn’t mind so much. But to say something like that, about a disease that affects so many people around the world, it took me aback.”
With hindsight, he probably should have joined Hibs but he has no regrets about trying to make the grade at Celtic.
He said: “I knew it was significant, going directly from Rangers to Celtic but I didn’t think about it too much at the time.
“I didn’t enjoy the last four or five months at Ibrox. The drive wasn’t there. I wasn’t enjoying football as much.
“Maybe going to Hibs, who offered me a deal, would have been a better move but I support Celtic. Even if I wasn’t playing for the first team I knew I would enjoy training there every day.
“It was a challenge to try to make it at the club. I went to Celtic chasing my dream.
“I felt brave to do it and knew it was a massive task.
“I had the likes of Scott Brown to compete with. I don’t regret doing it but not making an appearance was disappointing and as a learning curve it has matured me. I’ve learned not to pay attention to criticism on social media.”
When it comes to returning to Dalymount Park as a Rovers player, it might not be as toxic but Burt is prepared for the heat coming his way.
He said: “Going from Bohs to Rovers didn’t bother me too much after what I went through after leaving Rangers. The fans loved me there and wanted me to stay.
“So to sign for Rovers, I knew I’d get stick again but moving from Rangers to Celtic definitely made the abuse easier to deal with.
“When I go to Bohemians in April, I will feel it. I’ve played in this derby before on the other side so I know the atmosphere. There’s been a few incidents, like coins being thrown and stuff like that.
“But that happens everywhere. I don’t mind the booing and people not liking me. That’s football. If you can’t deal with it or don’t thrive in it, you shouldn’t be playing.
“It makes you a better player and a better person.
“This move can really help me kick on and fulfil the potential that I showed at Rangers.”