Lennon was my boss and Jamesie my team-mate.. it’s a great game for me
Riga ace Antons was Hoops hopeful
ANTONS KURAKINS loved learning under Neil Lennon at Celtic.
He savoured being a part of first-team training with academy colleague James Forrest.
He built friendships with behind-the-scenes stalwarts John Kennedy and Stevie Woods.
He got to know those figures front and centre in Scott Brown and Callum McGregor.
Then there was the birth of his twin boys, David and Adrians, in a Glasgow hospital nine years ago that means Scotland will always have a place in his heart – and perhaps a cap call for them.
But inside Skonto Stadium in Latvia tomorrow night, success trumps sentiment.
And the Riga defender admits he cannot let cherished memories cloud a desire to wreck his old club’s European campaign.
Kurakins, now 30, was recruited from Latvian outfit Blazma Rezekne in 2009 with a view to becoming a Hoops first-team ace.
His arrival in the east end of Glasgow saw him integrated into the youth set-up where Lennon, on his first steps into coaching having finished playing, was taking kids including Forrest.
The Latvian would join the senior squad for training and, as a full-back, regularly face battles with Aiden McGeady and Co.
It was an incredible adventure and Kurakins said: “I was 17 or 18 years old and I played one season in the highest league in Latvia.
“We had qualification for an Under-19 tournament. We played France and Italy and did well.
“Before us no Under-19 team from Latvia had gone to the Elite Round in 10 years.
“Then an agent came to me to ask if I’d go to Scotland for trials and he later said Celtic. I went there for two weeks and it went well, so I signed a contract.
“It was big at my age. Not many players went from Latvia to play at a big club abroad. Now it is easier. Neil was the reserve-team coach before he moved to the first team.
“I liked his type of coaching. He was close with the players and spoke all of the time to motivate you.
“He always spoke with all the boys and told you he believed in you and made you feel confident. He was good to everyone. “Myself and Jamesie played together in the Under-19s and reserve team. He’s a legend now. “When I moved up to train with the first team some days, it was mostly against McGeady. He was tricky and very good. Maybe five or six players would be called up to train with the first team – me, Simon Ferry, James, Ryan Conroy and others. We would be included in the training and it was such fun.
“I remember Callum McGregor from this time and Scott Brown, Woodsy, John and Neil. In my life, it always comes to Scotland. When I saw we could have Celtic in the draw, I thought it would happen.”
Kurakins, though, wasn’t able to break through and after loans with Brechin and Stranraer headed home to FK Ventspils in 2011.
But his connection to Scotland did not disappear and he returned four years later for just over a season at Hamilton before settling down with Riga. He said: “I had a good time in Scotland.
“I liked it as a country and my wife liked it even more. She liked the lifestyle and friendly people.
“It will always be a special country to me because my two boys were born in a Glasgow hospital. They are nine already now, David and Adrians.
“When they turn 18 they could choose to play for Latvia or Scotland if they’re good enough.
“I’m sad they cannot go to the game and that no one can. In the domestic league people can go but not for the Europa League games.
“This game is very big for the club and all of Latvia – we could have had a full stadium. The virus means this cannot happen.
“I believe the boys still have their Celtic strips from when they were younger but they’ll support dad.” Kurakins is going to need the support with Celtic big favourites.
But he added: “Our guys are looking forward to the game. We had a good win in the league last weekend and the second-placed team dropped points, so it was important and gave us a nice mood before this very big game.
“We have good players at Riga and have signed new ones from Argentina and Brazil with good CVs, having played for big clubs.
“It is just Riga. Our president likes the Brazilians and maybe has good contacts to bring them here.
“Other clubs here sign young African players to try to sell. One team sold one to the Bundesliga so it’s a good idea. We have a good team spirit and, although Celtic are the hardest opponent we could have had in the draw, it’s a great game for us and for me.”