When Benjamin Arthur arrived at Pittodrie on Wednesday night he could hardly have expected to be making his first start for Celtic. Fast forward to 10 minutes before kick-off and the on-loan Brentford centre-back was getting stripped and ready to replace injured Dane Murray in the starting line-up. "I wasn't expecting to start but as I soon as I found out, I just switched on," the 20-year-old told Sky Sports.
When Benjamin Arthur arrived at Pittodrie on Wednesday night he could hardly have expected to be making his first start for Celtic.
Fast forward to 10 minutes before kick-off and the on-loan Brentford centre-back was getting stripped and ready to replace injured Dane Murray in the starting line-up.
"I wasn't expecting to start but as I soon as I found out, I just switched on," the 20-year-old told Sky Sports.
"Got 90 minutes, got the win, that's all that matters. You never know what's going to happen on the pitch so you have to be mentally prepared for anything - I feel like I was that.
"Always be prepared for anything. I wasn't expecting to start but I feel like I did my shift."
And the stats certainly reflect Arthur's pleasure in his performance.
The centre-back made two interceptions, only Julian Araujo (three) made more. Only Callum McGregor won more tackles than Arthur while his 12 clearances was the most of any player on the pitch - Aberdeen's Sivert Heltne Nilsen was closest with seven.
Arthur had the most touches of any player (102) and the most passes (80) while no one won more duels (seven) or aerial duels (four).
"I thought he did fine, he stepped into the game," manager Martin O'Neill said of Arthur's display.
"Half an hour beforehand his mind was thinking, 'I wonder will I get on at any given stage' and then the next thing he's called upon to start the game.
"So you have to have almost a different mindset. He comes back into the dressing room, gets himself ready, and I thought he really did fine."
Category: General Sports
