Football: Viduka's display sparks rethink
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Your support makes all the difference.MARK VIDUKA claims he had no idea what to expect from Scottish football, but after his remarkable full debut at Greenock Morton, the game north of the border realises what it will receive from him.
Until now, Viduka's name has been a source of embarrassment for the Parkhead club, after his dramatic walkout within days after joining last December, citing stress.
His mental state improved but his eventual return saw doubts expressed about his physical fitness with the fear that he might not be able to make an impact until next season at the earliest.
In the inauspicious and bleak surrounds of Cappielow on Monday night, Viduka took less than 10 minutes to force his critics into the kind of urgent rethink he himself famously displayed when he first arrived in Glasgow.
His magnificent first goal for the club deserves to be remembered. And without doubt more than the 13,500 present for the Scottish Cup quarter- final at Greenock will claim they were there to see it.
A clever drag-back with his left foot was followed by an arrogant but powerful flick of his right, sending the ball curling with power into the top corner of the net beyond Ally Maxwell's reach.
Viduka said: "It was a great feeling to score. Cappielow was very different to Celtic Park, but we handled it well and now have a good chance in the Cup.
"It was a very physical game and I admit I didn't know what to expect from Scottish football when I signed for Celtic.
"Playing against them for Croatia Zagreb had given me an idea, but I knew little about the rest. Already I can tell it will be quick and physical and will take me a while to adapt."
On last night's showing however, Viduka need have no concerns about being outmuscled after surviving a tough initiation at Greenock Morton. The First Division outfit surpassed themselves and did not deserve a 3-0 home reverse, but ultimately it was Viduka's touch on the ball as well as his refusal to be knocked off it which made the difference.
Celtic were never allowed to settle, even after Larsson had doubled their tally. Only when Viduka notched a fortunate 83rd minute second, via a deflection, could they be considered safe.
It is a result which now leaves the prospect of Hampden Park being poised to mark its rebirth with the first Old Firm Scottish Cup final in a decade. In a season where no sustained challenge has emerged against the Glasgow clubs it would be a fitting conclusion to the season.
Johan Mjallby's sending-off - giving him three yellow cards in the tournament - could rule him out of the final unless Celtic's semi-final clash with Dundee United or Ayr goes to a replay.
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