Source: Team_Talk
McCourt: More to come from me
The past week has witnessed McCourt taking full advantage of the lifeline handed to him by manager Tony Mowbray in what has otherwise been 15 months of frustration at Parkhead.
Showcasing the mercurial talent which convinced former Hoops boss Gordon Strachan to sign him from Derry City in the summer of last year, McCourt proved impossible to contain at Falkirk and St Mirren.
The 25-year-old's ability was not enough to convince Strachan to pick him last season, with McCourt restricted to five first-team appearances, all from the bench.
He has exploded onto the scene under new manager Mowbray and was today rewarded with a recall to the Northern Ireland squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on October 14.
Yet, McCourt is adamant there is far more to come from him, saying in Celtic View: "There's no way I'm near the finished article.
"I'll still get fitter and I'll still get better, but at the minute it's nice to get a few starts and some goals.
"That's the first time I've played two games in a week for a long time and I was feeling it towards the end. But it's nice to get a couple of goals."
McCourt will be hoping to keep his place for Thursday night's Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna and Sunday's first Old Firm derby of the season at Rangers.
He added: "It's brilliant just to be involved at this club. It's something I've always dreamed of doing."
While McCourt was delighted to join his boyhood idols last year, his time at Celtic thus far has been consistently interrupted by injury.
"When I came from Derry City, I was nowhere near ready to play here," McCourt explained. "I was lucky that my ability was getting me through games in the League of Ireland.
"The jump in terms of fitness was massive for me and it took my body a while to come to terms with it. Luckily, this year, I've been able to get a full pre-season and do every day at training without any setbacks."
McCourt is well aware of the challenge that lies before him, with Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady established as regulars on the flanks.
But he is ready to work on the weaknesses in his game and push his team-mates all the way for a regular starting berth.
"Nowadays, wingers have to track back as well as create, and that's not a natural part of my game," McCourt said. "I enjoy the attacking side of the game and trying to beat players but I need to work on my defensive side. If I can blend the two together, hopefully I can be a regular in the side.
"Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney are the first-choice wingers at the minute. But it's a challenge to get in the side with those two fantastic players in front of me.
"All I can do is do my best when I get the chance and hopefully score a few goals."
