Robbo blasts board
But even then the 18-year- old rookie keeper still stood out.
And Elgin’s assistant boss Barry Wilson felt convinced Scott Bain was destined for the top.
The teenager was at Borough Briggs on loan from Aberdeen to learn his trade in the tough world of Scotland’s lower leagues.
Wilson isn’t surprised that eight years after Bain played his first competitive match in 2010 he’s now starring for Celtic following spells at Alloa, Dundee and Hibs.
After his performances against Rangers and Motherwell, he’s now Brendan Rodgers’ first pick in Craig Gordon’s absence.
Wilson felt a sense of pride watching Bain’s display in the Old Firm win at Ibrox a fortnight ago.
He said: “I was player-assistant manager at Elgin when we signed Scott on loan from Aberdeen. “Ross Jack brought him in and Elgin went through a phase where we
never had our own keeper. We’d get goalies in on loan and after Scott we got Zander Clark from St Johnstone.
“Both boys were absolutely top notch – they had different talents but you could tell both were going to make the grade.
“If young keepers can cut out any howlers they tend to do OK.
“I can’t recall a single blunder Scott had at Elgin, which is the biggest compliment you can pay a young keeper.
“Scott has always commanded his box and is a great kicker of the ball. He was excellent with his feet, which is something Brendan likes his keepers to be able to do.
“Back then, it wasn’t as big a fad as it is now. But even at 18 it was one of Scott’s attributes.
“Defenders quickly decide if they can trust you to handle firm back-passes.
“And they could do that with Scott. They actually gave him the ball knowing he’d pick a pass out himself instead of just putting his boot through it. “It wasn’t a problem for Scott coming to Elgin. It can be a bit of a culture shock for some boys coming from big clubs.
“But keepers are all a bit mad anyway – and Scott settled fine.
“Looking back, I’m sure Scott will think his spell on loan helped him. Loans are the way forward for young players because they pick up invaluable experience.
“When Scott was with us, Stevie May was at Alloa and banging in goals.
“That’s the way the game is going and it can only be good for the players.”
In the aftermath of Bain’s Celtic debut at Ibrox, much of the focus was on Alfredo Morelos’ second-half mi s s tha t cost Rangers a draw.
But Wilson feels the Colombian’s blunder has taken the shine off the keeper’s super save from Josh Windass’ shot prior to Morelos’ sitter.
After conceding so early on his Hoops bow in such a huge game, Bain could have wilted.
But Wi lson said: “I was delighted to see him do so well at Ibrox, especially after he lost two goals in the space of 15 minutes.
“He couldn’t do anything about them but to come through it says a lot about his temperament.
“Plenty of young goalies would have collapsed or crumbled under that type of pressure.
“But Scott made really good saves later in the game.
“His save before the Morelos’ miss has gone unnoticed. It was a brilliant stop low down and it’s one of the hardest saves to make.”
Those type of stops should see Bain keep Dorus de Vries out of the Celtic line- up – and then challenge Gordon for a permanent starting slot.
Fo rme r I nv e r ne s s a nd Livingston winger Wilson insists the youngster he helped nurture in the Highlands can now make a major impact for club AND country. He said: “I hope Scott will be challenging Craig when he comes back from injury.
“Craig is in the latter stages of his career and I’m sure Brendan will now see Scott as a natural successor.
“And if he does it, Scotland will benefit as well.
“That would be the next step i f he’s starting for Celtic. He’s had a couple of call-ups before and you can see him being involved in the national team before long.
“I’d never claim any credit but hopefully during that spell at Elgin we played a tiny part in Scott’s development.” every cap he can earn. The 24-year-old, who ended the 1- 0 defeat to Costa Rica on Friday night as captain, said: “I don’t think anyone finds it ideal.
“Obviously it is a long way to travel for two games but at the end of the day it’s a chance to get another two caps and that’s what the boys have to look at.
“There is no better feeling in football than representing your country.
“The decision was taken out of our hands of what games we played – we don’t get to decide that.
“The board decided it and they obviously thought it was the right decision so we have to go with it.
“Whether we are happy with it or not, it doesn’t really make a difference.
“I’m sure we’ll travel in good numbers though.
“The boys would rather it was closer especially after such a long season but obviously that is taken out of our hands.”
The 14,000- mile, weeklong jaunt has already come under heavy fire and was believed to be the final straw in ex- chief exec Stewart Regan losing his job.
Celtic led the domestic protests against the trip, partly for Regan failing to go through due process and consult the Professional Game Board and partly due to i t s e f f e c ts w i t h Champions League and Europa League qualifiers awaiting more than half the squad when they return to their clubs.
However, Rober tson insists he’ l l have no problems being released by his employers.
He laughed and said: “I don’t think the club will be worried about me!
“The lads are going to the World Cup and they will be going right into July.
“Maybe if I was going to the World Cup they would be. Even with those friendlies I will still get decent time off.”