Celtic kid Adam Montgomery opens up on special night against Real Betis despite defeat
ADAM MONTGOMERY wasn’t even a year old when Celtic last played in Seville.
But after taking his latest baby steps in the first team there, the city will forever hold some special memories for him.
With the Hoops down to the bare bones the teenage winger started Thursday’s 4-3 Europa League loss to Real Betis.
But while the result was disappointing, the occasion was a memorable one for the 19-year-old.
He said: “Running out to start the game against Real Betis in that amazing stadium felt a bit surreal.
“When you are coming up through all the age levels the thought of playing in big games in those sort of surroundings inspires you.
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“It is something you dream about for years so to actually be doing it takes a bit of adjustment.
“I’m too young to remember anything about Celtic going to Seville in 2003 for the Uefa Cup final, but you can’t come through the club and not know everything about that run.
“I had been involved against Midtjylland and Alkmaar in the previous rounds so I had European experience, but Betis is another level.
“They are one of the teams you see competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga.
“You are there to do a job, though, and it was fantastic to start.
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“The manager told me just to be myself, to forget the occasion and to focus on playing my normal game so that is exactly what I did.
“I tried to get on the ball when I could and make good use of it. I am delighted with the way the season has been going. The gaffer has been great with me and I am loving the football we are playing.
“People say we are a fun team to watch. I can promise it is also a lot of fun to play in this team.
“Obviously the Betis result was not the one we wanted, but there were a lot of positives to take from the match.
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“We have gone to the home of one of the top teams in Spain and scored three goals. Not many sides can do that.”
Celtic return to league business with a clash on Livingston’s plastic today.
It’s FIFTEEN YEARS since the Hoops last won a top flight game there but Montgomery insists the artificial surface won’t scare him.
He added: “Livingston will be a very different challenge from the one we had in Spain.
“I know quite a few don’t like plastic pitches but it is not something that bothers me.
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“I played on artificial surfaces coming through the academy at Celtic and always enjoyed playing on them, just as I would on grass.”
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