Daddy’sBhoy but McCart is happy to beat parent trap...
TALKING ST MIRREN
THE resemblance is uncanny, his position is the same as is his agreeable nature but there are real hopes that Jamie McCart may even surpass the achievements of dad Chris who was a stalwart in the excellent Motherwell side of the 1990s.
Judging from a highly competent debut for St Mirren on Sunday, McCart is undoubtedly on the right track and could become the latest Celtic youth product to make it all the way into Brendan Rodgers’ first team.
The 20-year-old joined last week on an emergency loan due to injury and suspension issues at the Paisley 2021 Stadium and did not look out of place as he played his part in an excellent 3-1 win over Queen of the South that has elevated Saints to second in the Championship table.
He feels working for Jack Ross in a first-team environment can only enhance his development and he would love to follow in the footsteps of Tony Ralston and Calvin Miller – team-mates who have made the breakthrough at Celtic this year.
Of course, dad is in charge of Youth Development at Celtic, but Jamie insists he does not get any special treatment as he seeks to find his own way in the game.
McCart said: “I don’t really work directly under my dad at Celtic. He kind of stays away from it and my team.
“But it is no issue for me because I am just there to work hard and improve every day so I don’t really take notice.
“It’s always the dream to force my way into the Celtic first team.
“All I can focus on is working hard and now I am at St Mirren I just need to try and get in the team and stay in the team and hopefully get some wins.
“You look at Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata. The two of them are brilliant and are top professionals. They really take care of themselves.
“When you are there you learn from them. But coming to St Mirren, there are a lot of players I can learn from here as well. I just need to try and learn every day and see where it takes me.”
McCart, who had a loan spell at Inverness last season, believes Ross can the catalyst to his dreams in football and had no hesitation in moving to Paisley when the offer came in. He said: “I only found out four or five days ago. St Mirren were struggling with injuries and suspensions and contacted Celtic to see if I was available.
“I jumped at the chance to come here and work under the manager here.
“He has turned the club around and I am really excited about where this club is going.
“Working under Jack Ross is the main reason I have come here. St Mirren are a big club and they deserve to be in the top division.
“I heard only good things about the club and staff so I’m happy to be here.
“It is a great group of players and they were all very welcoming, the guys around me all helped me out. I’ve learned very quickly that this is a strong, unified team so I enjoyed it.”
McCART coped well with the experienced pairing of Derek Lyle and Stephen Dobbie last Sunday and it was the ideal start to this threemonth stint with Saints.
He added: “It was brilliant. To get the three points was the most important thing but to make my debut in a win was exciting as well.
“The atmosphere was excellent so it was a great day all round.
“It was tough and a bit of a battle and it was nervy in the end but we thoroughly deserved the win.”
Gregor Buchanan will be available again for St Mirren’s home clash with bottom dogs Brechin City on Saturday after serving his suspension but Adam Eckersley is still banned.