Celtic star Shaw admits Rangers boss Gerrard was his hero – now he wants his title
STEVEN GERRARD used to be Liam Shaw’s hero.
Now the Celtic youngster wants to take away his idol’s most prized possession — the Premiership title.
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After an impressive debut against former club Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, Shaw was asked: “Who inspired you as an attacking midfielder?”
He replied: “My favourite was Gerrard. Just the way he was as a player.
“He inspired me to be that type of all-action midfielder who is up and down the pitch, works his socks off and scores a lot of goals as well.
“That is my best position, No 8. I’m a box-to-box midfielder.
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“That is one of my qualities I would say, arriving into the box late, showing that I can score and creating different types of mayhem round the box.
“I like being in and around the box scoring goals, but I’ll play anywhere as long as I’m playing. I can play centre- back and the holding role.
“It was good to get out on the pitch on Wednesday, get minutes in my legs and hopefully show people what I can do and show the gaffer my ability.
“I am enjoying every moment.
“It was weird to see so many familiar faces. Sheffield Wednesday are a good team.
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“But I have to focus on ourselves now I’m at Celtic.
“I’m focusing on how we play every game and not worrying about the opposition.
“It’s obviously up to the gaffer if I start. I can only do my bit and work as hard as I can in training and in the games try and show my ability.
“Then it is up to the gaffer whether he thinks I’m fit to play or not.
“When we start the season we just want to win as much as we can and we will be trying to do that.
“Coming to Celtic you also have that European stage and that is everything you dream of as a footballer, to be honest.
"Playing in those types of games in that atmosphere. Hopefully I can be a part of it. I’m looking forward to it.
“You have to back yourself as a footballer, you have got to believe in your own ability. I think that’s really important. It has got me where I am today.
“You have always got to back yourself, be confident, show your ability and just see where it takes you.”
Seeing Neil Lennon leave in February may have been a little disconcerting for Shaw after he signed the midfielder in January.
But he’s risen to the challenge of now trying to persuade new manager Postecoglou that he was worth bringing in.
Shaw added: “Ange is a good manager. I respect him.
“He is trying to get his philosophies and his style across to us. It is quick, attacking football, always looking forward.
“On the flip side of that, when you give the ball away he wants everyone to press quick.
“It is positive football. When I give the ball away I do like to press so, yeah, it suits me. I definitely think he will make me better.
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“I have got great respect for him. You can see he is a good man manager.
“I am sure he can help develop me, help all the team and all the players. I am just really happy to be working with him.”
Shaw smiled when he reflected on having to treat his old Owls pals like Barry Bannan and Josh Windass as rivals.
Ex-Scotland star Bannan man-marked him while former Rangers player Windass — who scored after just three minutes — barged him in the box just as he was about to shoot.
Shaw added: “Baz is an unbelievable player. You can’t get near him sometimes.
“I’ve learned a lot off him. He has helped me in my career when I was at Wednesday. He is just a really good football player.
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“Josh was saying it’s never a foul and I was too slow. It was banter.”
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