WE ALL McGREE RILEY’S SCORPION KICK IS A BELTER
BY MICHAEL GANNON THERE were 20,000 jaws on the floor and one stoney faced Scot when Riley McGree blasted his way on to the global stage.
The Celtic target might be something of an unknown to Hoops fans but in the back of their minds will be a clip that went viral all around the world a couple of years ago.
The 23-year-old’s scorpion kick goal for Newcastle Jets against Melbourne City in the Australian play-offs in 2018 ended up being nominated for the Puskas Award for the goal of the year.
His over the shoulder backheel job eventually came second to some chap called Mo Salah but the footage was seen by millions, with his Scottish gaffer Ernie Merrick’s brilliant, low-key response just as stunning.
The entire McDonald Jones Stadium went berserk, but the Jets boss sat quietly in the dugout.
Straight-faced Merrick later said: “Riley told me he’s been practising it for the last two or three weeks and been working on it and it just came off for him.
“I’ve never seen one like that, I don’t think the goalkeeper has either.”
McGree admitted: “It was definitely a crazy moment and something I will never forget.
“The ball came over and I thought I’ve just got to get this towards goal somehow, so I reached out and got a really strong connection on the ball, probably more so than I expected.
“It was definitely a big highlight in my career with the way it was scored but I just tried to take it in my stride.”
Ange Postecoglou handed McGree the first of his 13 Australia caps when he was still only 17 so it’s hardly a shock he’s back in the mix now the midfield man is up for grabs.
Back then Postecoglou said: “I thought he looked exciting from the moment he broke into the team.
“We’ll give him an opportunity and see how he adapts. If it proves to be a good move, he could be an exciting one for us in years to come.”
Six years on and their paths could meet again.
McGree is a man in demand. Birmingham City were impressed during his 18-month loan move from Charlotte FC in the MLS, and Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest were on his trail.
Birmingham defender George Friend admitted he was hoping to see McGree back this January.
Friend said: “Riley has been great. If anyone has been watching him, surely you would take him.
“I just hope it’s here because you want your best players and he is certainly one of them.”