I suppose it was inevitable that these kinds of stories would start to creep out once this move broke down.
After all the positive and good news stories about McGree joining the Hoops, once the money from the English leagues get involved, it is pretty hard for any player to turn down that kind of move.
Regardless of the club.
Football is a short career and players need to make as much money as possible. I have no problem with that at all.
But what I do take issue with is when reporters or pundits claim that if it comes to a choice of between Celtic and a middle of the road English Championship club and the Championship club wins because of footballing reasons?
That I won’t buy.
Any player moves for money. That’s one of the main reasons players play. But there are players that can get the balance of earning and winning silverware and boosting your profile.
That’s why ambitious players come to Celtic. The money of course, but they also see that winning trophies and doing well in Europe will get you a move to club in a bigger league for more money.
Risk and reward. McGree skipped past the risk and went for the reward.
Which is what makes this tweet even more bizarre:
Nothing against Celtic but think a move to Middlesbrough would be the better one for Riley McGree.
Championship is a better league and he’s shown how well he can do in it.
Plus Chris Wilder is also a really good, progressive coach and they could end up going up. #Boro
— James Dodd (@JamesDodd89) January 12, 2022
Where to start? Let’s go for the obvious. Who was the last player to leave Middlesbrough and go on to have a proper career in football? Needed to think about that one didn’t you? Now apply the same question to Celtic.
Trophies and exposure? The Teessider’s don’t even come close. Even if they get into the EPL. And progressive coach? Coming from an Aussie journalist, this comment disappointed me. For obvious reasons.
Dodd did get the inevitable reaction from the Celtic fans which can see from the thread, but as he tried to qualify his original tweet, I did put a point to him that he hasn’t responded to yet:
Celtic fans pile on was inevitable here but my tweet isn’t a dig at all. They’re a great club with a top manager.
But sometimes moving to a big club isn’t always the right move straight away, Wilfried Zaha to Man Utd being a good example.
Feel like Boro is a good next step.
— James Dodd (@JamesDoddFOX) January 12, 2022
James, let’s call it how it is. He’s chasing the money. I have no issue with that but if the boy really wanted to hit the global scene and improve his career, he should have chosen Celtic
— ☘️バイタルセルティックニュース☘️ (@VitalCelticNews) January 12, 2022
*Want to discuss this and more? Welcome to The Jungle! Join the forum here and have your say!*
