Oisin McEntee of Hearts has reflected on scoring at Celtic Park after growing up watching the club.
Born in New York, raised in County Monaghan and moving to Newcastle at the age of 16, McEntee is one of several players having the best season of their career with the Edinburgh club.
He joined them from League Two side Walsall for free in the summer. Locked in a tight title-race, he scored the decisive goal against Wilfried Nancy’s Celts in December.
Speaking to the Irish media, he was asked about that moment.
Have Celtic got better as the season has gone on?
Comment why you voted for your choice ‼️
Oisin McEntee on ‘growing up in these stadiums’ before Celtic goal
Asked about scoring at Parkhead as an Irish player by Off The Ball, McEntee said: “Scoring at Celtic Park was unbelievable.
“You’ve grown up watching these teams, and in these stadiums, and you’re scoring in them. It was just an amazing feeling.
READ MORE: Green Brigade tell Celtic fans it’s ‘not enough to merely turn up’ in rallying statement
“I think we’ve had a good belief in the squad, in each other. You’re training every day with these players, the likes of Claudio Braga, Kyziridis…
“All these players, you see the standard in training, and even the boys that aren’t getting into the team… You think that this is a team that’s going to have a proper go at it.”
Over four months on from that goal, there are still just three points in it between Hearts, Celtic and Rangers at the top of the league table.
The Tynecastle club will return to Celtic Park on the final day of the season, in a game that could be one of the most dramatic we’ve seen in Scottish football.
However, there’s plenty of football to be played until then. Hearts have won none of their last four away games; they’ll need to sort that out if they are to beat Martin O’Neill’s men to the title.
Your first thought when you see the fixtures…
How many points will we pick up?
In six league meetings with their two rivals this season, Celtic are yet to register a win. If they had turned up in just a few of their earlier six-pointers, they would be in the driving seat in the title-race.
It’s worth noting, however, that O’Neill is yet to face Rangers or Hearts at Celtic Park. He has faced both away in the league, earning a point twice.
Falkirk travel to Celtic Park for the Hoops’ next league fixture, whilst Derek McInnes’ side face a daunting Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
