Celtic fans have been reacting to the club’s brilliant dig at long-time critic Charlie Nicholas.
As is the norm, former Parkhead striker Nicholas went on another negative rant against the Hoops yesterday. Speaking in the Daily Express (print edition, 06/10, page 59), he said: “I said Celtic would go cheap in their pursuit of a left-back. I knew they wouldn’t spend money on a defender that Neil Lennon has been ever so patient for. I don’t think Lennon has been given much of a helping hand, if I am being honest.
“He had to work double time to get anything out of so-called wealthy Celtic. I’d imagine he’ll be pretty annoyed this morning.”
This promted a fiery response from the Celtic boss only yesterday. As quoted by STV’s Raman Bhardwaj, Lennon said: “If we had signed Messi and Ronaldo, Charlie still would’ve found fault with it. He’s been negative about the club for years. Charlie doesn’t think for me and he doesn’t speak for me.”
However, it didn’t stop there. Celtic then published a tweet highlughting all of their January signings with the caption “Just sitting there thinking…what a window!”. It was a clear dig at Nicholas, who is well known for what has now become a catchphrase in “sitting there thinking”.
And it’s fair to say the Hoops supporters were pleased with their club’s reaction yesterday as they refused to take the negativity from Nicholas lying down.
https://twitter.com/stewartybhoy67/status/1313534353314586624
https://twitter.com/CooperEd_/status/1313523204535844864
https://twitter.com/L_F_M_87/status/1313516104887791621
https://twitter.com/JohnGilliesJNR/status/1313519003147665408
Charlie trying too hard
For some reason, it appears as though Nicholas loves to put the boot into Celtic. As to why that’s the case is anyone’s guess, but it’s evidently true. Lennon’s fury at him yesterday showed exactly how much frustration the Celtic manager has towards his opinion.
It’s incredible to think that anyone can have a go at Celtic securing Diego Laxalt too, even if it is a loan deal.
Nicholas accuses Celtic of being cheap, but you can’t ignore the rest of the facts. Laxalt has 24 appearances for Uruguay and even starred at the World Cup in 2018 for them (Transfermarkt). He has pedigree in Serie A too, so there’s clearly a player there.
He also appears to fit Celtic’s system. Laxalt has experience of playing anywhere up the left flank, and since he arrives with pace, he reads like a perfect fit for the left wing-back role. Something Celtic love to play with in a 3-5-2 formation.
Surely those are the more pertinent points here? Charlie is far too fixated on the transfer fee. Surely if you want to go down that route however, you have to praise the club for splashing out £5m on Albian Ajeti (Sky Sports). Or perhaps the £4.5m that was spent on new goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas (Scottish Sun).
There are plenty of reasons to praise Celtic this summer, yet Charlie seems fixated on ensuring that he finds reason to stick the boot in.
Seldom do Celtic use their Twitter to have digs at anyone, especially pundits, but they have every right to here.
In other news, Lennon has refused to rule out a long-term Celtic stay for one of our summer signings.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
