Return trip to Paradise for Jambo kid
RORY CURRIE left Celtic 16 months ago in search of a new Paradise.
After being given the runaround by Rangers, he found it at Hearts.
Today, on the final day of an impressive breakthrough season at Tynecastle, the 19-year-old will return to Celtic Park.
But Currie insists his motivation to shine has nothing to do with showing his old side what he’s capable of.
Instead, the teenage star is determined to repay Hearts head coach Ian Cathro for giving him his first-team chance.
“The gaffer has been brilliant with me all season,” said the youngster.
“The faith he has shown has brought a lot out in me on the field because I feel like I need to repay him.
“Whenever I’m on the pitch I try my hardest to do that.”
He added: “I didn’t think I’d be back at Celtic Park as a first-team player so soon. It has happened quite quickly.
“But I think I’ve taken it in my stride and hopefully we can get a result. I’ve settled in quite quickly and gotten used to the demands of being a first-team player.
“It’s obviously quite a big jump when you first step up, but once you get used to the nature of it you start to fit in quite quickly.
“I’ve also had help from the experienced players here, which has made everything easier to get used to.
“The biggest thing I’ve had to adapt to is the demands put on a first-team player. They are much higher.
“You need to be more focused and work harder. That’s the main thing.
“But I think getting used to that at the age I am can help me in the future.
“The younger you get used to first-team football, the better you will become in the future.”
If he is given a taste of the action today, it will be just the latest test in a six-month period that has been full of them.
Fortunately, Currie has been helped along the way by a few of Hearts’ wiser, older heads.
“All of the experienced guys have been a help,” he said.
“But Don Cowie is always trying to help me, Malaury Martin, too.
“Then there’s the gaffer and all the coaching staff, they have been great with me.”