The World Cup was good for me and if Celtic need an offensive full-back then I’m ready to play
SAYS CRISTIAN GAMBOA
THOSE who have watched Cristian Gamboa’s accomplished displays at successive World Cups may wonder why the Costa Rican has struggled to make any kind of impression at Celtic.
The thought only grew stronger as the full-back scampered around snuffing out danger and overlapping James Forrest on a rare start against Rosenborg in midweek.
Quick, hard-working and competitive, he was an ever-present against Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia, a continuation of the form that saw him help the Central Americans reach the quarter-finals in 2014.
The 28-year-old also seems to enjoy the approval of the Parkhead crowd, who roared in appreciation as he took up the challenge of a sprint with Jonathan Levi and emerged comfortably with the ball in the second half of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier.
The fact Celtic had two rightbacks operational in Russia offers part of the answer. Mikael Lustig has been a dependable force throughout Brendan Rodgers’ reign and he was key component of the Swedish team that reached the last eight this summer.
Yet over the past two seasons it has seemed only a full-blown selection crisis would grant Gamboa a place in Rodgers’ starting XI.
With Jozo Simunovic suspended, Lustig only just returned from leave and Dedryck Boyata still absent following his march to the semis with Belgium, necessity forced the manager’s hand — and Gamboa was pitched in against his old employers from Norway.
‘When you’re not playing it can be difficult for your head but I always give my best in training and in games,’ he said after helping the Premiership title holders to a 3-1 win. ‘The World Cup was good for me, I got a run and I have come back to Celtic hoping for the same.
‘It’s the most important competition in the world and, although we didn’t manage to qualify for the latter stages, it was really nice to be involved. The manager spoke to me when I got back. We had a chat and he gave me a game. We are now looking forward.’
A £1million acquisition from West Brom, Gamboa was part of the initial tranche of signings that followed Rodgers’ appointment in 2016 but he has struggled for game time and is yet to experience an extended run in the team.
Lustig has always been the first choice in a flat back four and Rodgers’ experimentation with a back three over the summer has seemed tailor-made for Forrest in the wing-back role.
‘If you want an offensive full-back I’m here,’ says Gamboa. ‘If you want someone a little bit more defensive, more regular, then you have Mika.
‘We’re different types of player so it depends on the system the gaffer wants to play. He has two good options, two World Cup players.’ The Rosenborg match marked Gamboa’s first European involvement since he started away to Bayern Munich last season and was tormented by Kingsley Coman in the Germans’ 3-0 victory. While only one of many poor performers, his subsequent disappearance from the team sheet served the impression that he was somehow being scapegoated for that miserable night in Bavaria. ‘That’s okay, you need to take it,’ he shrugs. ‘You are a professional and they pay you for that. After a bad game they always come to pick out somebody and it tends to be the defenders. That’s okay. ‘If you make a mistake or have a bad game you need to move on. You need to try to get better and perform in the next game you are given.
‘I was always thinking about trying to be ready for the World Cup, keeping my mind clear.
‘I was always positive. I see a lot of better things for me in the future so we will see what happens.’
Whether Gamboa has done enough to alter Rodgers’ opinion remains to be seen but, after the final whistle, the two could be seen in warm conversation.
‘He said I was a little bit tired at the end,’ explains Gamboa. ‘I laughed and said that after no rest and just two weeks of holidays of course I was tired!’
Rodgers declared himself happy with the way Gamboa helped support his young centre-back pairing of Kristoffer Ajer and Jack Hendry, the second of whom gifted possession in the build-up to Rosenborg’s opening goal.
‘I thought Cristian did exceptionally well considering he came back later than the others,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘It was nice for him to play against his old team, to show that level. He held up very well and his experience in that back four was important.’
The World Cup may well have alerted potential suitors but Rodgers won’t be encouraging any interest while Celtic’s Champions League qualification bid remains live.
‘Certainly not at this stage, we need experienced players like him,’ said Rodgers. ‘Last year was probably difficult for him with not playing and maybe not even making the bench because you don’t need cover so much for that sort of position.
‘But he has always kept his professionalism. We have always had good communication and my message has always been: “Be ready”.’
Lustig could well come back into contention for Wednesday’s second leg, but the Swede’s ability to cover at centre-back may might make it possible for he and Gamboa to find a place in the team.
Gamboa was signed by Rosenborg to replace Lustig in 2012 and the Costa Rican admits he is looking forward to returning to the city he called home for three years.
‘This tie was very important to me because I was with Rosenborg previously,’ he added. ‘They have kept six or seven of the players from my time there, so they have a very solid base which has been in place for more than three years.
‘They keep the same 4-3-3 formation and they will never change. They are what they are.
‘They will try to get an early goal but that is tricky against us because we have good players up front. We need to be careful with what they do but I think we always score, so it’s going to be a good game.’
Longer-term, Gamboa may revert to the role of squad man, but he hopes he has served reminder he can be more than a bit-part player.
He added: ‘It was really special to be back in the team — I think the manager knows I can perform in games like this one, especially so soon after the World Cup.
‘You need to be professional and clear in your mind. I always said Celtic is a fantastic club, my family are happy here and I still have one more year of my contract.’