Jay Wins Goal of the Month Contest!

“Footballing superstar Jay Beatty has won the SPL Goal of the Month competition, after his stunning strike against Hamilton.

The news comes a day after Jay played a pivotal role in Celtic’s storming 3-3 draw against Inter Milan, in the Europa League, where the players were visibly boosted at hearing him shout for them all the way through the match.

Jay’s remarkable rise up through the footballing ranks is being compared with that of Lionel Messi, although the diminutive Argentine is disadvantaged as he does not enjoy a friendship with Georgious Samaras …”

There are some people out there who inspire you. Jay Beatty is one of them.

This little lad has lifted the hearts of everyone at Celtic Park, and his influence has touched the lives of people everywhere.

His dad, Martin, once said that the greatest hope his family had for this kid was that he be treated with respect by the world … well, he’s been embraced by it instead.

The example these folks set is extraordinary. They have managed to transcend one club or even the sport of football itself.

Jay and his folks have worked tirelessly to promote good causes, to make people see those with Downs Syndrome in a different light, and even in a world which is becoming increasingly harsh, this lad has connected with everyone and that has changed it, and for the better.

Keep on doing what you are doing Martin and Aine. It’s exceptional, and thank you for sharing your wonderful wee guy with the rest of us.

It feels like Jay is one of us now, part of the mythology, part of what makes Celtic great.

But there’s more, because as I said already this transcends one club.

I’ve written previously about how football has become a cynical sport, and it has.

I’ve written extensively on how the people who run our game have sucked its soul out, about how they’ve failed to challenge existing norms and how they’ve lacked the vision to make it better … but you know what? Today they get it, and in nominating Jay for their award in the first place they showed what tremendous good football can do … and now that Jay has won it, they’ve completed the circle and made football in Scotland light up once more.

They deserve our thanks for that, and our respect.

Immense credit, and thanks, have to go to Hamilton as well. Their club showed true class when they credited Jay with the goal, which opened up the prospect of this award.

I don’t think I’m alone in saying I’ll hold the club in the highest regard from now on.

This is a real feel-good story, on a real feel-good day. I am looking forward, as I’m sure we all are, to seeing the videos and pictures of Jay as he gets his trophy, which will surely have pride of place even amongst the other souvenirs and honours he’s earned these past months.

More than anything else, I’m looking forward to Jay’s next adventure, as he and the club proudly marches on towards a memorable treble in what has already been a memorable year.

One Jay Beatty!