Gamboa joy as Celtic fans give him their seal of approval
CRISTIAN GAMBOA was delighted to hear the Celtic supporters chant his name as Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys recovered from their Champions League exit with a 3-1 League Cup victory at Partick Thistle on Saturday.
The Costa Rica right-back has mostly played second fiddle to Mikael Lustig since arriving at the Glasgow club from West Brom in2016.
The 28-year-old was one of six changes made by boss Brendan Rodgers for the short trip to Maryhill and he reminded the Hoops supporters of his value by assisting both substitute Moussa Dembele and midfielder Tom Rogic for their goals, soon after Jags attacker Andrea MbuyiMutombo had levelled Leigh Griffiths’ opener.
The travelling fans’ appreciation of his efforts was music to Gamboa’s ears, as he told Celtic TV: “It was really nice, especially as my wife and kids were there.
“My family feel happy here and I also feel happy to be around this fantastic club. I hope it can go on.
“I have been working hard to get this chance so it was nice to be involved and get two assists.”
Griffiths will look to join the Celtic century club in the first-leg of their Europa League play-off against Lithuania’s FK Suduva on Thursday after taking his tally at the Parkhead club to 99 with their opening goal against the Jags.
“After I got the goal early, I was thinking one more chance and I’ll put it away, but it wasn’t to be,” he said.
OUTLAWED
Meanwhile, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard called for plastic pitches to be outlawed in topflight football after seeing Jamie Murphy carried off early in their 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park yesterday.
Murphy’s left knee appeared to twist and buckle and, while Gerrard was careful not to point the finger of blame at the pitch, he made clear his belief that 4G surfaces have no place in the top level of the game.
Gerrard, who saw Bordeauxtarget Alfredo Morelos smash in a hat-trick, said: “Jamie’s upset. I think he’s fearing the worst – it looks like he’ll be missing for quite a while.
“It’s difficult for me to comment (on whether the pitch was to blame), but we all know that plastic pitches are not as safe as grass.
“I’m not here to disrespect Kilmarnock and their playing facilities. I know it helps support the running of their football club, but my opinion is elite football shouldn’t have any plastic pitches.”
Gerrard added: “We’re dealing with elite footballers, who earn an awful lot of money, and I think for every club worldwide it’s safer to have a grass pitch.”