Scott Bain: Celtic keeper speaks on taking No.1 chance and team's slump

Celtic keeper Scott Bain knows all about taking the knocks and emerging stronger.

Celtic keeper Scott Bain says squad have given supporters many great times recently and will recover to keep that going (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

The 28-year-old was the club’s third choice in his position last season, but is in the team again amid unconvincing displays from £4.5m summer signing Vasilis Barkas. And Bain believes the mentality and maturity he has developed to put his career back on track surges through a Celtic squad he is backing to shake-off the shameful 4-1 slaying by Sparta Prague in midweek and post only a second win in seven games when they visit Motherwell.

“Obstacles have been put in front of this team before, like negative results or speculation away from the club, but the boys here just keep going, they keep bouncing back,” said Bain of a squad within a win of a quadruple treble. “They never waiver or lose their belief in it. Football's not rosy all the time, you're going to get difficult periods. You can't expect a team to win every game, you have to take the good with the bad. Celtic fans and this club has been blessed with a lot of good times recently. Our job is to try and keep things going.

“It's not tough [for me right now]. It's tougher when you're out of the squad and not even on the bench. You realise that football's a fickle game. And in those moments, you realise who's in your corner. It's a case of mentally being strong and realising what you need to change and get better at. You have to look within yourself. Coming in this season, I just tried to be as fit and ready as possible so if I ever got the chance to play I'd be in a good place to do it. I wouldn't say I feel like no.1. I feel physically and mentally that I'm in a better place. I'm only starting to mature now at 28 off the pitch ...

“If I get asked to play, I'll do it to the best of my ability for the team. I knew the club would be looking to bring in a goalkeeper in the summer. I'll be honest, I came back with no expectations of playing, given where I was the year before. I just kept my head down and worked away, waiting for an opportunity.”

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