Source: Team_Talk
New Hoops deal for McCourt
Celtic winger Paddy McCourt has ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year contract with the Scottish Premier League giants.[LNB] McCourt has told Celtic supporters he can be the man to fill the void left by Aiden McGeady should his fellow winger quit Parkhead this summer.[LNB]McCourt signed a new three-year contract this afternoon, ending speculation he could leave his boyhood idols for Premier League new boys Blackpool.[LNB]The transfer talk surrounding McGeady is even more feverish and manager Neil Lennon today admitted he did not know if the Republic of Ireland international would stay or go.[LNB]But if he does leave, McCourt believes it would give him a better chance of finally showing what he can do.[LNB]"If he does leave, it'll definitely open up a space for me and it'll be up to me to grab it," said McCourt.[LNB]Lennon openly compared the two players in expressing his delight at McCourt's decision to sign on.[LNB]"You're talking about McGeady, you're talking about people entertaining crowds," he said.[LNB]"I think traditionally the club has had that over the years - players who can beat people, eliminate people, take them out of the game.[LNB]"I want that in my team and Paddy certainly comes into that category."[LNB]McCourt admitted Celtic's fans had not seen the best of him following an injury-plagued start to life in a Hoops jersey.[LNB]"I think I've only made 19 appearances in two years, so there's a lot more to come," he said.[LNB]"That was for different reasons - injuries and fitness reasons - when I first came.[LNB]"But luckily I'm winning that battle at the moment so I'm hoping this could be my year to kick on and show my best."[LNB]Northern Ireland winger McCourt had a year left on his previous deal and asked if he had been tempted to move away, he said: "I wouldn't say tempted. When you're not playing as much football as you like then you obviously have to consider your options.[LNB]"But after a few chats with the manager, I wasn't long making my mind up to stay here.[LNB]"It's a club I love and I'd have been disappointed to leave after the two years I've had here.[LNB]"I want to be successful here and I want my time here to be filled with medals and I haven't got one yet."[LNB]McCourt signed from Derry City in the summer of 2008 after catching the eye with some impressive individual goals.[LNB]He initially struggled to match his team-mates' fitness and was restricted to five substitute appearances in an injury-hit first season under Gordon Strachan.[LNB]But he broke into the team on a more regular basis under Tony Mowbray, playing 14 times and scoring three goals, including two stunning solo efforts.[LNB]McCourt's only competitive match under Lennon was the Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Ross County but he netted another sublime goal in a post-season friendly against St Pauli.[LNB]He was an unused substitute on Wednesday as Celtic lost 3-0 to Sporting Braga in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round, but he has decided to keep trying to force his way into Lennon's long-term plans rather than seek a move.
