LOST BHOY BACK IN FAVOUR
CRAIG SWAN
CRISTIAN GAMBOA had waited two long and arduous years for the moment. The Costa Rican was flying after producing a couple of sensational assists within three minutes to provide the second-half goals for Moussa Dembele and Tom Rogic which won the weekend Betfred Cup tie against Partick Thistle. Gamboa was mobbed by his team-mates for his efforts as the Hoops acknowledged the key contribution from a player who has never caused a problem despite being on the fringes for a year. As he trotted back to the halfway line for the restart following Rogic netting the third goal, suddenly the entire Celtic support burst into song, chanting Gamboa’s name loudly and heartily. With his wife Melissa and his boy Felipe in the stand, it was an emotional moment for the right-back. Unheralded and unnoticed for the majority of his career in Glasgow since moving from West Brom two summers ago, the Central American took the spotlight. Dembele and Rogic might have been the names called by the Partick PA announcer as the goalscorers but it was Gamboa who was the matchwinner and the punters recognised it immediately. Bursting with joy and pride in equal measure, the World Cup ace feels 24 months of hard graft have paid off. Gamboa said: “I’ve been two years at the club and the fans hadn’t sung my name, so it was really special, especially as c.swan@dailyrecord.co.uk my family were at the game. I’ve been in the shadows, working hard, trying to get a chance and I think myself and my family got something back.
“My family and kids helped me. Sometimes, of course, you want more game time but at this kind of club everyone always feels a part of it.
“Even the people who haven’t played as much and are in the stands. The manager always makes people feel part of it.
“You have to train hard and if you do that you help your team-mates to be better.
“That’s a point the manager makes. For me, last season was like that. I trained hard, so that helped them.
“It was really nice to be involved firstly. Then, in the second half, I got some crosses in to try and help the team. It was special for me.”
Gamboa’s honesty and selfless attitude are both admirable. At a time when Dedryck Boyata’s commitment has been called into question, the Costa Rican has never moaned about his own situation. The warmth towards him from his peers seemed genuine, and no wonder, but the Hoops right-back wants to keep progressing. It was a bit of a joke that Gamboa played more for Costa Rica last season than he did for Celtic. But it was no laughing matter for the player and he has returned with added determination to make a mark if he gets an opportunity. He said: “I came in with my confidence really high as I got the Rosenborg game as well. For me, the gaffer can
“My family always reminded me of that and I managed to get to the World Cup and play three games with Costa Rica.
“That was my second World Cup so I think the gaffer can trust me and hopefully I can build on this game.”
Gamboa, of course, has been through enough at Celtic to know things can change quickly.
With Mikael Lustig available for Suduva on Thursday, the defender accepts he could be punted straight back onto the sidelines, despite a Man-of-the-Match display at Firhill.
But there will be no whining or complaining if he does get left out. Gamboa has too much respect for his manager and his club.
He said: “I’m never going to say anything. It’s not my personality.
“My mother has always told me you need to be loyal and I just need to keep going.
“I respect every decision. If the manager decides to play me in the next game, I’m going to be ready.
“If not, I’m going to be waiting. I’ve always been like this.
“The manager has given me an option to play so I’m trying to enjoy it and take my chance.
“On Monday morning it will be the same. I will keep working hard and I’ll be ready for my next game.”
Ayr United v Rangers St Johnstone v Celtic Hearts v Motherwell Hibs v Aberdeen. All ties will be played over the weekend of 25-27 September.