Dane Murray was been handed a rare opportunity in Thursday night’s clash in Stuttgart, and he grabbed it with both hands as he put in an impressive display, and in doing so boosted his chances massively of being named in Martin O’Neill’s starting XI for Sunday’s powder keg fixture at Ibrox…
Dane has endured some major setbacks in his short Celtic career, mainly through injury, and his confidence was shot to pieces after a woeful performance against Hearts at Tyncastle last October, a game which proved to be Brendan Rodgers last game in charge.
The 22 year old has been on the fringes of the team since that day, but has been given something of a reprieve by Martin O’Neill, albeit due to Auston Trusty’s suspension forcing his hand. It’s fair to say that Dane Murray would not exactly be a player who would be first pick in the eyes of the supporters before Thursday night in Stuttgart. That would be a fair comment to make as he hasn’t exactly filled us all with great confidence especially after his Tynecastle mishaps.
This is a huge game, our biggest of the campaign to date, that goes without saying. Some will say Dane is too raw and inexperienced, but the North Lanarkshire lad has been at the club long enough to know the importance of such a fixture. He knows fine well what’s at stake.
Martin O’Neill has a few other options going into the game, such as on loan Brentford youngster Benjamin Arthur, or even Kieran Tierney who is also comfortable playing at centre back.
But credit to young Dane has taken his chance well, and played himself into Martin’s thoughts for the vital showdown over at Hatebrox. Naturally there will be reservations over his ability to perform and cope, but to his credit he more than proved his credentials at the home of the side who currently sit fourth place in the Bundesliga.
VfK Stuggart are a far better side than the outfit we’ll face tomorrow. If Celtic can cope with the hateful atmosphere we should get a result and if Dane Murray can replicate his own performance from Germany on Thursday night we’ll all be singing his praises when the dust settles on a long overdue Beautiful Sunday.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
If this was the case after a player having a solitary decent performance, it would highlight why we’ve never learned a thing from Trusty’s liability after liability!
Simply put, he’s a player that has had one good game in a Celtic shirt and has been a liability in all the others! Scales carries this clown!
Let’s not make the same mistake again with Murray!