Scotland fans devotion to Clarke should serve as a warning to Celtic supporters – Opinion

Now, before we all start with the wailing and gnashing of teeth, this is not an article to criticise Ange Postecoglou.

Far from it.

So from the off I want to say this, I hope Ange gets the extended contract he deserves because he has been outstanding for the club.

Would I go as far to say I love the man?

Yes. Yes I would.

So I hope that clears that up.

However, just because I love the man doesn’t mean he should be beyond reproach.

And bear with till I explain my reasons.

Let’s start with Steve Clarke. The Scotland boss has been on the end of well deserved praise for getting the country to the Euro’s last summer.

The first major national tournament for the country since 1998, Scotland fans were on the crest of a wave as hysteria and joy swept the country.

But with that hysteria and joy came unwavering support. Unquestionable devotion the manager which has bred a narrative that he simply cannot be questioned or criticised.

And that is not healthy.

Since qualification for the Euro’s Clarke has failed to come up trumps in big games since. One draw, two heavy home defeats and the media and fans fawned over him with the ‘at least we got there attitude’.

When it mattered, and we needed three points in a crunch game, Clarke failed to deliver as Croatia thumped us 3-1.

And since then we have had major games against Ukraine and Republic of Ireland where a result was needed and again, we were humiliated at home against the Ukrainians and away against an Irish side that hadn’t won a Nations League game since 2019.

And yet, there are those that still dare not criticise.

But how does that relate to Celtic I hear you ask?

There is a certain faction (if that’s the correct word to use) amongst the Celtic support that believe Ange cannot be questioned considering what he has done at the club since he took over, and in a way, that is deserved.

To my mind, the Aussie gaffer has only made one major mistake since taking over at the club and that was choosing to play Edouard up front in the first Glasgow Derby at Ibrox and Kyogo on the left.

Other than that (and Europe, but let’s face it, Europe was a genuine bonus due to the rebuild) he has been almost flawless since taking over.

But that should not determine whether or not the fans are allowed to criticise next season should mistakes be made.

I wrote last night about how fellow bloggers James Forrest and Joe McHugh received abuse on Twitter for their views on the appointment of Mark Lawwell as Head of Recruitment and a lot of that criticism was borne out of ‘If he’s good enough for Ange….’ mantra.

And it shouldn’t be that way. Lawwell should be judged on the quality of player he delivers for the manager. That’s it.

Not because Ange ‘says so’ as that’s a dangerous route to go down.

Just look at Scotland and how a lack of critical thinking towards the manager can lead to poor performances on the pitch when it matters.

I am not saying that Ange deserves ANY criticism yet.

All I am saying is that when criticism of the Celtic manager is deserved, it should be given without reproach and with respect.

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