Bain there done that
Azteca adventure caps mad year for Scott but now he wants much more
SCOTT BAIN didn’t have to look around from 7,000 feet above sea level to feel as if he was standing on top of the world.
The Celtic keeper joked that facing an onslaught against Mexico in the Azteca was like operating between the sticks of former club Alloa at Recreation Park. The rise and rise of Bain continued – quite literally – when he made his Scotland de but in one of the highest venues in world sport on Saturday.
He has gone from being out in the cold at Dundee to excelling in 30 degree heat for the national team with a second-half performance that helped restrict the home side to only a 1-0 victory in a match they really should have won by more.
It capped a campaign in which he won a dream move to Celtic on loan, made his debut in an Old Firm victory over Rangers at Ibrox, then signed a four-year deal with the champions.
Little wonder, as he heads for a well deserved holiday, Bain is one of few operating in the top flight of the Scottish game who doesn’t want the season to end.
He said: “A baptism of fire against Mexico? I’ve already had one of them this season!
“Seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed being thrown on there. It was an amazing place to play your first game for Scotland. This match was the icing on the cake of the season.
“You don’t know if you can cope until you are thrown in there. I am thankful to the manager for putting me on in the second half. This is all a bit mad when you look back to where I started. People say it has happened so quick but, let me tell you, it didn’t feel that quick when I was getting up every morning and going to work on the building sites.
“This season has probably summed up my whole career. It shows you can be thrown into the side and then suddenly you are on top of the world.
“It has been great. The game on Saturday topped it all off.”
The Scots, with Hearts keeper Jon McLaughlin also handed a debut in the first half, were already a goal down to a Giovani dos Santos effort when Bain made his appearance.
He pulled off a string of stops, including two in two minutes early in the second half, as the Mexicans looked to put the seal on their dominance in their last match at home before the World Cup finals.
Bain said: “You could see they were a really good side. There is a reason they are going to the World Cup.
“The boys played really well in terms of limiting them. But as the game went on, we got tired because the match was played at altitude.
“I’m lucky because as a keeper I didn’t have to run about in it. But if you watch the game back you’ll see the balls were moving up and down more due to the thinness of the air.
“Mexico were very good on the ball and technically they have some top players. They move it really well along the edge of the box and are so dangerous. I have definitely had a few games like that in my time, at Dundee and back in my Alloa days.
“I had the self-belief I could play at this level anyway but it is nice to go on the pitch and do a decent job.
“I played the last game for Celtic against Aberdeen and probably should have done better for the goal. That has kind of stuck in my mind. To come here, work as hard as I could, put in a good performance and show why I should be here was pleasing.”
If Bain thought limiting the Mexicans in their own back yard was difficult, it’s nothing compared to the job on his hands next season as he looks to dislodge Craig Gordon from his position as No.1 at Parkhead.
He’s up for the challenge because stepping up a level has also fostered a new frame of mind that will refuse to allow him to rest on his laurels.
He said: “I don’t know about topping this season, I just keep going. I have a new attitude since I joined Celtic.
“I have a new mentality which has obviously been instilled by the manager and the players.
“It is a case of getting better every day. I thoroughly enjoy playing in the big games. I enjoyed that match against Mexico and I hope there are many more to come.
“We all enjoyed the trip to Peru and Mexico. Everyone got to play a part in a game and everyone has come away with a cap and played at the highest level of international football. It has been a great trip.”
They moved it well. I’ve had games like that back in my Alloa days SCOTT BAIN