Was Gordon Strachan right to challenge an over-zealous official for accusing one of his staff of alleged gesture-making?
Over the past few days we’ve had people falling over themselves to voice their view on the ‘disturbing scenes’ (that’s how the Record put it). And, as is usual with these things, very little sense has broken out.
We’ve heard rumblings of ten match bans; we’ve had every manager in Scotland, it seems, claiming fans need to look at themselves; columnists are bemoaning the ‘state of our game/nation’ and anyone who has ever worked with Strachan in any capacity has been dragged out to talk of his fiery nature. Nothing new there, then.
Then today Strachan breaks his silence on the issue and in doing so delivers his most scathing criticism yet of some of the Celtic support.
“Most people I meet are encouraging and pleasant but when it comes to some of the criticism I have to say to myself, 'Is it Hugh Keevins? Is it Jim Traynor? Or is it Stadler and Waldorf sitting behind a goal somewhere?”
Firstly, this is yet another example of Strachan’s assumption that anyone critical of his tactics/managerial ability/attitude could only ever be a drunken yob or a blubbering buffoon who knows nothing about the game. It couldn’t possibly be a decent, intelligent fan with genuine concerns.
However, the most disturbing aspect of this quote is that fans are being judged against the twin zeniths of critique that are Hugh Keevins and Jim Traynor! Don’t make me laugh. Simply becauise these two happen to write for the Daily Record their opinion has greater merit than the thousands of fans who eloquently debate football every day at work, at home or, whisper it, in the pub!
I think Strachan should realise it’s the fans who pay his wages, it’s the fans who will carry on longer than him and it’s the fans who can decide his fate. Nobody should put up with vile personal abuse but I believe that to be the minority. If Strachan believes it’s only drunken yobs who criticise him then I believe that’s a particularly misguided and dangerous delusion.
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2 comments:
Gordon is wrong. Stadler & Waldorf dont sit behind the goals, they sit behind me in the North Stand. Even on Saturday, with the finest performance at Celtic Park for many months, they still found something to moan about.
The perfect way to silence the critics Martino.
One thing is for sure, the players definitely seem to be behind Strachan and Saturday's performance was certainly impressive.
With Rangers clocking up the wins also I think we're in for a cracker this season.
But what about Hearts? Where are all these fans, once led by 'club legend' Gary McKay, who forced Robinson out the door. Surely something similar needs to be done against Romanov.
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