Gary aims to put dark days in past
THERE now seems to be no limit to what Brendan Rodgers’ restorative powers can achieve at Celtic Park. By full-time at the Etihad on Tuesday, each of the 11 visiting players on the field could testify to the root-and-branch transformation that has taken place since the Northern Irishman’s appointment in June.
All were present when Ronny Deila’s regime came to an inglorious conclusion a few weeks previously. To varying degrees, each had a story of redemption and rehabilitation to tell.
None, however, could hold a candle to that of Gary MackaySteven. Last seen as Celtic misfired horribly in the Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers in April, it was widely assumed the winger would never feature under the new regime.
But not only did the former Dundee United man climb from the bench to replace the stricken James Forrest on Tuesday, he served notice that those who had drawn a line under his Parkhead career may have done so prematurely.
Given eight injury-hit months had passed since that forgettable outing at Hampden, you could have forgiven the 26-year-old had he lacked the confidence to shine against some of the English game’s leading lights.
Yet he, too, seemed reborn. A magnet for the ball for a spell. So much so that you’d anticipate additional opportunities to come his way in the blizzard of games before the turn of the year. Perhaps even the most unlikely chapter of the Rodgers’ story to date yet being written.
‘I was absolutely delighted,’ said the Thurso-born player. ‘My first appearance of the season and thrown right in at the “shallow” end…
‘I was just thrilled to be back and to be contributing again. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.
‘These are the games you want to be involved in, playing in the Champions League against massive teams. I’m just happy the hard work paid off.’
It said much about the player’s sterling contribution that he chastised himself for failing to write his name in lights.
He should, frankly, have done better than to fire tamely into Willy Caballero’s frame when sent clear on goal late on. His fellow substitute Leigh Griffiths also missed a good chance as Celtic attempted to end their European campaign with a win.
A sure sign of Celtic’s development throughout the course of the group was the air of despondency that lingered as a consequence.
‘It was frustrating I didn’t manage to score with the chance I got,’ said Mackay-Steven.
‘The overwhelming feeling in the dressing room was of disappointment.
‘We were unhappy with the draw as we felt we could have nicked it.
‘It’s testimony to the team and how well everyone played. From the first game, we have learned a lot in the Champions League.
‘We are much stronger and better for being there.’
It was an end in the most literal sense for Celtic as far as this year’s European adventure was concerned, but in many other ways Tuesday felt like a beginning.
Mackay-Steven can only hope that relates to him as well as the aspirations of Rodgers’ side in Europe.
Tuesday night represented a welcome shaft of light for him. His fervent hope is the dark days are now at an end. ‘It’s been a hard time for me having a long-term injury and having to watch from the sidelines,’ he said. ‘It’s not been nice watching the new manager coming in and everyone hitting the ground running, while I’m stuck having to watch on. ‘I’m back now, though. I feel good and I am building my match fitness. I’m raring to go. There are a lot of games coming up in the next few weeks and I feel I can contribute. ‘I’m just happy to be back available for selection. I’ve never doubted my ability. It’s about training well. I’ve been doing that since I recovered from injury.’ Rodgers insists, meanwhile, that Mackay-Steven still has a future at the club. ‘There is no question of that,’ said Rodgers. ‘He is the same as Stuart Armstrong and Scott Brown and all of these. ‘This is a boy who has all the tools in terms of how I like my teams to play. He runs forward, he is aggressive, he understands how to press the ball and he has a goal in him. ‘What he is finding is he is not coming in on his own. He is coming into a collective and is a part of the collective. That gives him confidence and the personality to go and perform. But he is a fantastic talent.’