The Scotland international stole the headlines with a stunning winner in Celtic’s world famous 2-1 victory over Barcelona in 2012.
Having probably reached the pinnacle of his career aged only 18, it was always going to be a struggle for former Celtic striker Tony Watt to live up to people’s unrealistic expectations of him.
The man who bagged Celtic’s winner in their 2-1 victory over Barcelona in 2012 confirmed this week via Twitter that he had been released by Belgian side OH Leuven after making only 12 appearances for the First Division B side, scoring two goals.
Watt’s tweet read:
Watt’s fall from grace has been somewhat of a tragedy in all honesty. Still a relative youngster, the forward has now had a taste of football in four different countries, his native Scotland, England, Wales and Belgium. However, he has failed to hold down a place in any team’s squad for a period of longer than three years.
His most successful spell after leaving Celtic undoubtedly came during his time with Charlton Athletic, where he bagged 10 goals in 53 appearances, but since leaving the Addicks he has been tossed around country, team and league.
With bags of experience for a man in his mid-20s in terms of experiencing different cultures and football leagues, Watt’s return to Scotland in search of a club could actually see him picked up fairly quickly.
Celtic did not sign him back in 2011 for no reason, and although it may be hard to believe given his current situation, he did net that winner against Barcelona in 2012 and rightfully wrote his name into Celtic folklore.
If the Scotland international matures and focuses on sticking around at a club for a few years, he still has the chance to fulfil his potential.
There are plenty of clubs in his native Scotland that could do with an injection of fire power up top. Perhaps Premiership strugglers St Johnstone may be willing to take a punt?
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