Charlie Nicholas wants us all to believe that he’s a big Ange Postecoglou fan after previously ridiculing the Celtic boss in his Scottish Daily Express column.
Celtic have just undergone a huge turnaround in both performances and results under Ange. Tomorrow night, they’re going for their 5th consecutive win in all competitions at Easter Road against Hibs.
The upturn in form has started to win over plenty of doubters. Hugh Keevins was the latest earlier this week when he lauded the job the Greek-Australian has done in a short period of time.
Now, Nicholas has reiterated his admiration of the Celtic boss and laughably claimed that he always said it would take time before Postecoglou could be judged. Speaking in his Scottish Daily Express column this week [print edition, 26/10, page 55], Nicholas said: “I became a fully paid-up supporter of Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic at the weekend. I was back in the Parkhead stands on Saturday with two of my brothers-in-law for the win over St Johnstone.
“It was my first time in a while after TV commitments and everything else. I have always wanted to get back to the games with all the changes that have happened at Celtic. The team is definitely heading in the right direction. I had always said it would be October or November before we can really judge Ange.
“I know Ange suggests he only has a Plan A but I do think he has other options in his head. I wanted to see his team for myself and how he is trying to piece all these new signings together. I really do think Celtic can squeeze Rangers all the way in this Premiership race. I still think that Rangers are favourites but I like what the new Celtic boss is building.”
Charlie Nicholas already forgetting his Celtic remarks from last month
In late September, Nicholas labelled Postecoglou “the new Ronny Deila” as he claimed Celtic “were in meltdown” [Scottish Daily Express, print edition, 28/09, page 57].
It’s a good thing nobody was judging Ange too early then Charlie, eh? He states that he always maintained it would take a few months to judge the Celtic boss. You have to wonder why he was so quick to jump in with the comparisons and labels then. Surely that was a touch premature?
The problem with Charlie is that his opinion changes like the wind. You get the feeling that, had St Johnstone managed to frustrate and get a point on Saturday, Nicholas would’ve been out berating Postecoglou and giving him a fresh tag.
Sure, football is reactionary. We all had our doubts over Postecoglou at the start. But some of us were quick not to write him off or be too judgmental with comparisons early on. Nicholas is finding out exactly why that was the case.
If he wants to change his opinion then fine – it’s always great to see vocal support of Celtic and their manager. But don’t turn around and tell us you were always reserving judgement when, in truth, you were piling the pressure on the manager during the early stages.
The Celtic fans can see right through it, regardless of how much Nicholas wants to rewrite history.
In other news, Worrying report on Celtic duo Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide must be put into context
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