The dad of an international teammate who played with a former Celtic star has claimed that he had more ability than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Celtic have been blessed with some great talents over the years with the likes of Henrik Larsson and Paul McStay among the pantheon of Hoops legends.
Some players didn’t always flourish at Celtic Park but were still highly regarded for their flashes of talent.
This player fits the bill and was more talented than five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.
Paddy McCourt was more talented than Cristiano Ronaldo
Lee McEvilly is a journeyman professional who played in the lower English leagues and was called up to Northern Ireland’s national team.
He played alongside Paddy McCourt, who as we all know, was sensational when he wanted to be.
Earning the name of the ‘Derry Pele’, McCourt left people amazed by his talents and McEvilly told the Football Historian podcast that his dad compared him to Ronaldo.
He said: “He used to get called the ‘Derry Pele’. Honest to God, my dad turned round and said, he had more ability than Ronaldo when he was at Man United.
“When the balls would come out (in pre-season), wow. He would send you dizzy. He was a magician.”
Where is Paddy McCourt now?
McCourt signed for Celtic in June 2008 and has since been around the block, playing for several clubs, before hanging up his boots in 2022.
He can now be found at Glentoran in the Northern Irish Premiership where he has been working as the club’s assistant manager since 2024.
His work isn’t going unnoticed and Glentoran manager Declan Devine told the Belfast Telegraph that McCourt “doesn’t get the credit he deserves”.
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