Ex Celtic midfielder Joe Thomson admits Hoops hero Paddy McCourt enticed him to join Derry City

FORMER Celtic midfielder, Joe Thomson admits ex-hoops star, Paddy McCourt convinced him to take a leap of faith and join Derry City.
Derry City midfielder, Joe Thomson listens intensely to Derry City boss, Declan Devine during his first training session on Thursday.Derry City midfielder, Joe Thomson listens intensely to Derry City boss, Declan Devine during his first training session on Thursday.
Derry City midfielder, Joe Thomson listens intensely to Derry City boss, Declan Devine during his first training session on Thursday.

The 23 year-old yesterday completed a deal which will keep him at Brandywell until the end of the 2021 SSE Airtricity League season and he views it as the perfect opportunity to test himself.

He’s never played outside Scotland since joining Celtic as a 12 year-old youth, having enjoyed spells with Dunbarton, Queen of the South, Livingston and finally Dunfermline where he spent the last two years of his career.

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Although he has had a taste of what's it like playing at Brandywell Stadium having captained Celtic to the Foyle Cup Under-14 title in 2011 as part of a talented side which included Arsenal fullback, Kieran Tierney.

And despite initial reservations, once he received a call from the ‘Derry Pele’, Derry City’s Technical Director, McCourt and upon recommendation from his good friend, ex-Sligo Rovers loanee Calum Waters, he was fully committed to ‘a fresh start’ in Ireland.

“I spoke to Paddy a good number of times over the phone during the last week or two,” he explained.

“He was telling me all about the club and obviously gave me time to have a think about it and speak to my family and try and convince them to come over.

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“I don’t know too much about the league to be honest. My mate Calum Waters was on loan at Sligo from Kilmarnock in 2018. So I spoke to him about what it was like to live here. And he couldn’t have recommended it more. He said he loved it.

Edward McDaid, McDaid's Football Special, presenting the U14 Foyle Cup to Celtic captain Joe Thomson at the Brandywell Stadium in 2011.Edward McDaid, McDaid's Football Special, presenting the U14 Foyle Cup to Celtic captain Joe Thomson at the Brandywell Stadium in 2011.
Edward McDaid, McDaid's Football Special, presenting the U14 Foyle Cup to Celtic captain Joe Thomson at the Brandywell Stadium in 2011.

”I heard League of Ireland was similar in standard to the Scottish Championship although they probably play a bit more football over here in Ireland. So that’s something that appealed to me. I’m just looking forward to getting started. I can’t wait!”

Derry City boss Declan Devine obviously knows all about Thomson’s former club having taken ‘The Pars’ to the Scottish Cup Final alongside Stephen Kenny in 2007.

That was well before Thomson’s time but he can’t wait to get working with the City management team and thoroughly enjoyed his first training session on Thursday with his new teammates.

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”I’ve played for a couple of Championship teams on loan before I signed for Dunfermline so I felt it would be a fresh start, something different and I felt this was a good opportunity to test myself.

New CIty signing Joe Thomson pictured with City boss, Declan Devine.New CIty signing Joe Thomson pictured with City boss, Declan Devine.
New CIty signing Joe Thomson pictured with City boss, Declan Devine.

”I had a couple of offers from the Championship to stay with different teams but after speaking to Paddy, this is the one which appealed to me the most. I’m really looking forward to it.

“I trained today and really enjoyed it. I just need to catch up with some of the lads as they’re a few weeks ahead of me in terms of training.”

Thomson was Dunfermline supporters’ player of the season during his first season at East End Park before he sustained a tear in his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in May 2019.

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A creative midfielder, he’s fully recovered from that set-back and is determined to make up for lost time following almost six months out of the game.

Joe Thomson pictured up against former Hibs and current Scottish international, John McGinn while playing for Queen of the South.Joe Thomson pictured up against former Hibs and current Scottish international, John McGinn while playing for Queen of the South.
Joe Thomson pictured up against former Hibs and current Scottish international, John McGinn while playing for Queen of the South.

“My knee is absolutely brilliant,” he declared. “Dunfermline looked after me in that aspect to be fair.

“They got me to the best surgeon and then the physio they had at the time was outstanding.

“I was well looked after and they said at the time it was the quickest they’ve ever had anybody back. I was back training about five months after the operation and then I was playing games less than five and a half months after. In that sense it was really straightforward and, touch wood, I’ve had no problems with it so far. I don’t think about it at all when I go onto the pitch. To be honest I’ve put it behind me.

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“I’ve played a good few games since I came back as well so I’m ready and raring to go!”

The Paisley native was one of 17 players released by Dunfermline to ‘protect the future of the club’ last May after the Covid-19 crisis hit.

However, the midfielder admits there was no guarantee he would’ve stayed with The Pars had he been handed a new contract and now he’s relishing a chance to play in Europe with City this summer.

Joe captained Celtic to the 2011 Foyle Cpu U14 trophy at Brandywell Stadium.Joe captained Celtic to the 2011 Foyle Cpu U14 trophy at Brandywell Stadium.
Joe captained Celtic to the 2011 Foyle Cpu U14 trophy at Brandywell Stadium.

“The Europa League as well was obviously a big attraction, knowing I could be playing in the qualifiers. So I can’t wait for that.

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”To be honest I’m not sure if it came to it whether I would’ve stayed at Dunfermline anyway. It would’ve been something I would’ve had to think hard about.

“The timing of it (his release), I was a bit surprised at. A number of other teams had put their players on furlough so it was a bit of a shock they didn’t.

Especially as were told just nine days before my contract expired. These are things you need to deal with.”

He’s hoping his fiancée Francesca, a nurse, and his one year-old son, Remy can join him on Foyleside soon but he’s confident he will settle in quickly at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium where he has already tasted success as skipper of Celtic's U14s.

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”I can’t remember too much about the Foyle Cup. I know we won it and the final was at Brandywell so that was brilliant. Kieran Tierney (ex-Celtic and Arsenal full-back) would’ve played in that too - he was the same age group as me.

“I’m sure it will be tough initially being away from my fiancée and son. I’m hoping once I get some stuff sorted out back home like renting my house out and my partner is a nurse so maybe if I can get a job set-up over here before they commit to something. It might be January before they’re over. I’m not sure but we’ll just take it as it comes.”

Thomson learned his trade at Parkhead as a youth and went on to make his one and only senior appearance as a substitute against Dundee United away from home in the league. He cherishes that moment and hopes he can create a few more highlights at Brandywell.

“That was brilliant. That’s where most of my development as a player came from. I played in a few friendlies, and managed to score in a friendly as well. And then the highlight was making my debut.

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“Okay it was 15 or 20 minutes coming off the bench but it’s something I’m really proud of. A lot of people would give their right arm to play for Celtic no matter how long it was so it’s a great honour.”

One man who knows all about playing in Paradise is former N. Ireland international McCourt and Thomson admits he’s someone he would love to learn from.

“He was a fantastic player. Some of the goals he scored and his close control and dribbling was unbelievable. The Celtic fans absolutely loved him.”

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