Celtic Hotline - David McCarthy Answers Your Calls

DAILY RECORD - Thursday, September 30, 2021

Ange Postecoglou has yet to convince the Celtic support he’s the man for the job if the Hotline is a temperature gauge of his popularity.

There is some sympathy for the Australian’s plight but most believe that results are the bottom line irrespective of circumstances and three wins from the first seven league just isn’t cutting it with them.

Liam O’Hare, Cambuslang, said: “I said a week ago that Ange unfortunately was out of his depth. A few of my fellow Celtic fans got upset but they are in denial. The next month could see Celtic confirmed as mid table mediocrity. We need to admit the board got it wrong and change things quickly. Mark my words.”

Jimmy Murray, from Edinburgh , said: “When John Kennedy was Ronny Deila’s defence coach he introduced zonal marking. It was a disaster. When Brendan Rodgers came he binned it.

“When John Kennedy became Neil Lennon’s coach he brought it back. Now he is Ange’s defence coach and the zonal marking is still not working.”

John MacDonald, Glasgow, said: “Ange has been hammered with injuries and the loss of Kyogo in particular has been massive. But even so, we should be beating Livingston and Dundee United with the players he’s got. It’s not good enough.”

Rangers fans seem a bit happier.

Colin Hall, from Carrickfergus, said: “Whilst we are waiting for players to get back to full fitness teams like Hibs and Hearts will manage to hang on to our coat tails but when we can select third and fourth gear no one will be able to slow us down in our drive for yet another title.”

John Bruce emailed: “Sunday’s mid-table clash between Aberdeen and Celtic is unlikely to be a footballing classic.

“With both managers already under pressure, the only points of interest could be watching how the Celtic players cope with the pressure of fighting to stay in the top six or Scott Brown taking his usual sly digs off the ball - only this time at his former team-mates. Or the reaction of the away fans if he scores the winner.”

Rab Hunter, Dumfries , said: “If Rangers have been watching Hibs recently they must be very concerned for the game at the weekend.

“They will have noted that whenever a Hibs player goes to ground, they are immediately awarded a free kick or a penalty. And when that doesn’t win them the game, the officials simply make something up, like the ridiculous penalty decision against St Johnstone.”

Robert Robertson, from Barnsley, said: “With regards to caller Bill Smith, apropos Kevin Clancy.

“Firstly, he won’t have, and secondly, he won’t be. (Watched it, and be ashamed) Same as the ref who awarded Hibs a penalty at the weekend against a defender who was in no way, shape or form trying to make his body bigger.

“They won’t watch their performances back. They daren’t! As it says in the Bible, ‘even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise’. That’s why they won’t engage with managers.”

Frank McCulloch emailed: “Rangers stopping Celtic supporters going to Ibrox, Celtic stopping Rangers supporters going to Parkhead and now retired players who work for the media being banned is all getting out of hand. The SFA need to get a grip of this now as it is ruining football.”

Finally, Robert Leckenby, Stonehouse, said: “Why is Charlie Nicholas in the papers going on about Celtic and Postecoglou when he doesn’t even go to the games? He’s just like all other TV watchers and radio listeners that don’t put anything into the club or go to games.”