People questioned me but you don’t make it from the Third Division to Celtic if you have a poor attitude

From the building site to Paradise... Bain is eager to make the most of his window of opportunity and prosper at Parkhead

FROM building site to Paradise, Scott Bain reckons his career path is the perfect riposte to those who would question his attitude. The goalkeeper made a surprise deadline-day transfer to Celtic Park where he has signed a loan agreement from Dundee but this much is clear — he won’t be returning to Dens Park.

An unresolved disciplinary process prevents Scott Bain from saying too much about the specifics of his dispute with his parent club but he has not played a game of first-team football since keeping goal in Dundee’s 3-1 home defeat to Hamilton on October 28.

The precise nature of his fall-out with manager Neil McCann remains unclear but the player was fined by the club, challenged his punishment and the players’ union PFA Scotland became involved.

Forced to train on his own, Bain admits he had to dig deep during the stand-off.

‘There were definitely a few points driving up to Dundee from Edinburgh, where I was like, ‘just turn back and go home’,’ reflected Bain, signed by Brendan Rodgers as cover for the injured Craig Gordon. ‘I just knew I had to grind it out and do what was best for myself.

‘There were a few lonely days, where I worked hard by myself in the gym. I knew those days would be tough but that they would stand

me in good stead. I knew that something would come, I never lost faith in that.

‘I was on a building site eight years ago, so I know I have the mental strength to push through every level. My attitude was maybe questioned at Dundee but you don’t come from the Third Division in Scotland to be at Celtic if you’ve got a poor attitude.’

Bain’s initial escape route was not facilitated by Rodgers but Neil Lennon, who also found himself in need of goalkeeping back-up earlier this month.

And so Bain found himself making two journeys to Parkhead over the course of the past eight days — first as a substitute in a Premiership defeat to Celtic last weekend and then, still wearing his Hibs gilet, for impromptu signing talks on Wednesday evening.

‘That just sums up how mad it was,’ he laughs. ‘I was sitting pre-match at Easter Road about to go in the changing room when I had to rush away.

‘It was a mad day, I had my phone in my hand for the whole day, just waiting to see. It swung about, it was on, it was off. The deal also involved Scott Allan to Hibs and Simon Murray to Dundee, so there was a lot of paperwork involved. I’m just glad it all went through.’

One of the first players to greet Bain at Lennoxtown ahead of training on Thursday was Gordon. Bain watched with concern as his fellow keeper sustained his knee injury last Saturday.

‘Craig’s someone I’ve met loads of times when I’ve been with Scotland,’ he continued. ‘I’ve met (goalkeeping coach) Stevie Woods before and I’ve spoken to Dorus de Vries before and after games.

‘They’re people I’m really looking forward to learning from.’

Edinburgh-born Bain started his career as an Aberdeen youth but found himself parttime in the old Third Division after his release in 2011. That’s when he took to manual work. ‘Those days at Alloa were fantastic,’ he reflects. ‘I was part-time on the building site for the first two years there. I started off in the Third, we won that, then we won promotion in the Second. ‘Then when we were in the old First Division I quit my job and just played part-time and really backed myself to earn a full-time team. I was lucky that Paul Hartley went to Dundee and wanted to take me. He really backed me when I went to Dundee and that stood me in good stead. When you are younger, you just need to play as many games as possible and it will really help me.

‘I was just labouring my first year, my second year I was doing a bit more in terms of building kits for houses. I really enjoyed it but I think I’ll maybe enjoy this a wee bit more.’

With Gordon due back before the end of the campaign, De Vries deputising and youngster Conor Hazard tipped for big things upon completion of his loan at Falkirk, there appears little room for Bain at Celtic long term.

If the past month has taught him anything it’s that circumstances can change very quickly.

‘I’m a free agent in the summer and I don’t think I’ll be back at Dundee,’ he muses. ‘I had a tough couple of months but, looking back, it’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole football career because I’ve ended up here.’

Rodgers admits the move provides a temporary solution for club and player but won’t rule out something more permanent.

‘Scott fits the profile of how we work,’ said the manager. ‘He can make saves and when I saw him with Dundee he was always one who impressed me. They try to build the game from behind, so he has quality with his feet. He is bright and I think he has a very good chance.

‘We’ll see how it goes between now and the end of the season, and then we’ll look at him. He’s got a lovely way about him.’

I know I’ve the mental strength to push through every level