Niall McGinn and Peter Grant lavished praise on the mercurial Paddy McCourt, who thrilled Celtic fans with his first goal for the club in Wednesday night's Co-Operative Insurance Cup win at Falkirk that set up a quarter-final tie with Hearts.
Northern Ireland international McCourt has enjoyed rave reviews for his performances in the reserves since signing from Derry City last summer and in his first competitive 90 minutes in a Hoops shirt at the Falkirk stadium, he went some way to justify the hype with a fine solo goal in the 4-0 rout.
McGinn, who followed McCourt over from Derry in January, insists his fellow countryman is ‘a bit special’.
The Hoops' winger said: ‘It was good that Paddy got 90 minutes at Falkirk and he showed the fans what he could do.
‘Paddy is a bit special, he gets the ball deep and runs at defenders and his close control is unbelievable.
‘It's obviously good having a player like that in the team because it's something you don't really find too often.
‘Now he has had a good pre-season under his belt and his fitness is looking better.
‘After he left Derry City, it was hard for him to get fit but he showed over the last few months what he can do and in reserve games last season he was brilliant to play with.
‘In training, you can see his talent and against Falkirk he showed what he can do.’
Celtic coach Grant admits McCourt needs to add to his work-rate off the ball but insists the Irishman will only have himself to blame if he does not make a big impact at Parkhead.
He said: ‘He's a wonderful talent; there's no doubt of that.
‘He can carve chances for himself, he can create them for others, and he does it consistently well.
‘People will always question what he's not got, but you always like to look at the positives.
‘He can get by players and he proved that, even in the Wembley tournament against top-quality players - and that's no disrespect to the Falkirk boys.
‘There's no doubt he's got a tremendous ability and there's not a lot of people like him.
‘Hopefully, he'll have a big part to play with the talent he has.
‘If he doesn't, he should be asking questions of himself.’
McGinn declared himself ready to stand in for Aiden McGeady, who picked up an ankle knock at Falkirk and could be doubtful for the Old Firm clash with Rangers on Sunday week, which comes after a Clydesdale Bank Premier League game at St Mirren on Saturday and a Europa League match against Rapid Vienna next Thursday.
McGinn said: ‘It doesn't look like Aiden will be playing this weekend but I think he is going to be fit for the Old Firm game.
‘But if he is not fit for this weekend or next weekend, hopefully the manager has the faith to play me.
‘If he doesn't then hopefully I am in the squad.
‘I am just looking forward to it, everything is going well and long may it continue.
‘My confidence is high and the manager had been pleased with me.
‘Any chance I get again, I will be ready.’
