GOOD’ DAY FOR SCOTS MINNOWS
Celtic v Buckie Thistle Celtic Pk, 4pm
HE grew up wanting to be Callum Mcgregor. Today at Celtic Park, Marcus Goodall would love to beat him.
The Buckie Thistle midfielder idolised the Hoops skipper as a kid then, as a pro at Ross County, he dreamed of emulating Mcgregor for Celtic and Scotland.
In this David v Goliath Scottish Cup fourth- round clash, Goodall will go toe-to-toe with his hero. And when the final whistle goes, there’s only one shirt he wants to get his hands on.
The 21-year-old can’t wait to test himself against the guy he rates as the best player in the country. Although he says that Mcgregor might struggle if he was plying his trade in the Highland League like him.
“I’m a Celtic fan through my dad, Martin. You’re just born into it, aren’t you?” he said
“And I’ve certainly had no complaints in the last few years.
“I’ve been to loads of Celtic games. This season I got down for the Atletico Madrid game in the Champions League. And I managed eight or nine home games last year, as well as getting to the Scottish Cup final win.
“I’m just praying Callum plays on Sunday, he’s the guy I want to go up
against. He’s the best midfielder in the country, if not the best player. As well as Matt O’riley in the middle of the park. To test myself against those two – I couldn’t ask for more than that.
“I’m more of a No.8 for Buckie but I have played a few times as a No.6 as well. My lack of size isn’t ideal for that position. But Callum is proof you don’t have to be big to play in there.
“He makes it look easy – although I’d like to see him in the Highland League!
“Sometimes up here, the game can pass you by when it’s going from back to front.
“I’ll try to get Callum’s shirt on Sunday but I will need to ask him early on.
“I hope he’s got about 18 of them because everyone in the Buckie team wants it!”
Incredibly, Goodall is the only player in the Buckie Thistle squad who actually hails from the town.
“It will be amazing to see 2000 Buckie fans at Celtic Park. It’s special and something that I genuinely thought would never happen.
“There’s an old-style Scottish Cup fever about it.
“I’ve never seen anything like this happen up here before.”