JUNIOR ADAMU’S first appearance for Celtic belongs in the realms of fantasy.
The Austrian international striker signed a short-term loan deal with an option to buy at the champions from French side Lorient on deadline day.
Martin O’Neill named him in his squad for the Scottish Cup Fourth Round encounter with Dundee at Parkhead yesterday and Adamu was pitched into the fray as an 80th-minute substitute for fellow-new Bhoy Tomas Cvancara.
The Hoops were a goal adrift and heading for the competition’s exit when Adamu came off the substitutes’ bench.
DELIGHT AND DESPAIR…Junior Adamu turns away in joy after snatching Celtic’s last-gasp equaliser while a Dundee defender holds his head in grief.
With three seconds to go, the lively 24-year-old raider struck with a clever flick to turn in a low left-wing cross from Sebastian Tounekti to force the game into extra-time.
The Tunisian flanker settled the outcome with with a sizzling low drive just over a minute into the added-on time to make sure the Hoops, winners of the famous old trophy a record 42 times, took their place in this evening’s quarter-final draw.
A beaming Adamu, speaking to Celtic TV, exclaimed: “It’s amazing. I feel really happy and I’m so glad to help the team.
“I came here to work and improve and my mentality is to never stop and keep going.”
A delighted O’Neill added: “Naturally, I am delighted for him and he will be delighted for himself.
“He wants to do well, as they all do, but he, in particular, was delighted to come and be a part of proceedings.
“I am really pleased for him.”
The Celtic fans will almost certainly get another glimpse of Adamu when the champions host Livingston in the Premiership on Wednesday night.
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