Strachan rallies the troops

Last updated : 19 April 2007 By Clydebuilt
Most Celtic fan forums on the Internet worth their server will have had a debate about Gordon Strachan and his future as our manager in recent weeks. A range of opinions, some borne more from emotion than thought have been causing hours worth of debate all over Celtic Cyberspace.
Should he stay, should he go? One of our prawn sandwich-munching friends on another site even rewrote the lyrics to the Clash's classic song to incorporate the current debate!

I tend to avoid the argument as to whether or not WGS will be the manager next season (my crystal ball is in need of repair) and I certainly don't get involved in the "should he be our manager" next season debates. (I love a good debate but this is one minefield even I don't want to traverse)

The one faucet of this debate I do enjoy getting involved in however is the point regarding how WGS talks to and deals with the press.

Some believe that Strachan is an embarrassment to the club due to the way he talks to the media, likening him to a circus clown.

My point is succinct. These 'people' are the ones who, over the years have given us cracked crests, have linked our managers with every vacant job in the planet. They have referred to our team as "thugs and thieves", they sensationalised the issues faced at Cardiff and Vigo airport. They called Wim Jansen the "2nd worst thing to hit Hiroshima" etc etc ad nauseum.

Need I go on?

So quite why WGS is required to treat these Muppets with any kind of respect is beyond me. To those who say he embarrasses the club, did they say the same against Jock Stein when he showed the press up for what they are? When Chris Sutton gave his interviews with the press in his own arrogant style was that viewed as a negative?

The press have never given him a fair crack of the whip, and worse they continue to perpetuate the myth that the support don't like WGS due to him not being a "Celtic man" (sic). In a figurative sense they are stirring both pots with two sticks!

Strachan deals with the press as he sees fit, when they deserve respect he shows it.
Which brings us along nicely to the article that appeared in today's Scotsman in which he reflects on the trials and tribulations faced by the footballing operation this season.

The Celtic boss said: "Because of the good work we have done since way back in July when we first started out, we have got ourselves in this position where we are 13 points clear with five games to go.
"Through ups and downs, good football and indifferent football, we have got ourselves into this position, and it's not because of anyone else bar ourselves.
"We have an opportunity to win the title on Sunday and we will give it our best shot, as we have done all year.
"As a group we have a lot to be proud of this year. We have a lot to improve on, but we should be proud of a lot of things we have done.
"The group has been hit with a lot of injuries, especially to the guys up front and the strikers have missed about 65 games between them, but we have managed to get through.
"We have lost big players and big personalities over the past 18 months and other people have had to come in and do a job, so they can be pleased with themselves in terms of their attitude.
"The performance level, we will get that better, there is no doubt about that."

Wise words Gordon, well put.

Yours in Celtic and supporting our Manager!

Clydebuilt