File this under "don't believe it till you see it" but according to the Herald (Dublin), Portland has been strongly linked to Celtic's Northern Irish left winger Paddy McCourt.

LINK: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/mccourt-latest-irish-star-to-weigh-up-mls-switch-3331007.html

McCourt is a Celtic cult hero for various reason. Some of it is due to the cavalier nature of his play. Some of it due to what he, Niaill McGinn, and Neil Lennon has had to put up with over the years. On a uplifting note, his nickname is the "Derry Pele." McCourt is such a hero with Celtic fans, when there was rumors last off-season of McCourt being transfer to several Championships sides, Celtic Park was flooded with calls and emails of not to sell McCourt. They even chanted this during a friendly with Norwich over the summer.

The Northern Irishman has been out of favor since Niel Lennon took over for Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons. McCourt plays normally on the left wing but has played as a forward and as a center attacking midfielder. I am trying to think of a MLS equivalent but think of a left-footed, more creative, skillfull, and slower Zizzo. He has the same possession/ball hog tendencies as Zizzo. McCourt is 29-years-old and will be out of contract with Celtic this summer.