FORMER CELTIC striker Tony Watt looks set to be returning to the Scottish Premiership for the new season as he edges closer to joining St Johnstone.
Watt has had a troubled time in the game since that incredible high he experienced when Neil Lennon – short on numbers due to injuries – send on the teenage Watt as a second half substitute against Barcelona in November 2012.
Celtic were one up, thanks to a first half header from Victor Wanyama, but were being put under constant pressure by a Barcelona side regarded as the best in the world at that time.
However things were to get worse for the Catalan side when after some quick thinking from Fraser Forster in the Celtic goal to quickly despatch the ball forward, Watt found himself homing in on glory as 60,000 inside Celtic Park and millions around Europe watching on television, held their breath.
The coolest guy in the East End of Glasgow that night was the teenager from Coatbridge as he collected, controlled and arrowed his shot into the far corner to seal a fairytale win for Celtic.
Messi pulled one back for Barcelona but it was too little too late for them as Tony Watt’s gaol proved to be a very special winner.
Having reached that magical high so early in his career, Watt has frustratingly not been able to settle at any of the numerous clubs he has played at and has had what only can be described as a stop-start career.
Now he is looking to settle at a club and play some football to get everything back on track.
“I’m 24 now and at that age where I can’t waste another year.
“The last year and the year before probably would be seen as a waste.
“I’m not a young lad any more. I need to add more games to my CV.
“I just want to come back now, play my football and get as many games as possible.
“People are judging me without playing games. I want them to be judging me when I’m playing games.
“I don’t think I’m far away from having a club,” Watt revealed.
“People know what I can do. I don’t feel like I need to sell myself. I reckon if somebody wants me, they’ll get me.
“The hunger is there, it’s not been in question. A couple of bad decisions in terms of where I’ve gone have set me back a year or two.
“But that’s just football. I’ll just need to prolong my career by a year or two at the end and get back lost time.”
The calm and experienced Tommy Wright might just be the man to get Watt playing and scoring goals again and basically enjoying his football.
He looked like he was going to have a great career while at Celtic so it must be difficult to process everything that has happened to him. He needs to look to the future now and if he looks back, should just think of the night his goal beat Barcelona.
