Charlie Mulgrew has dropped a highly divisive theory regarding the current toxicity at Parkhead, suggesting that the sheer depth of anger towards the Celtic board could see some supporters genuinely rooting for a Hearts title win.
As domestic action pauses for the March internationals, Celtic find themselves in entirely unfamiliar territory.
Rather than coasting to the finish line, they are locked in a tense three-way title race, heading into the run-in as third favourites for Scotland’s top prize.
And Mulgrew noted how some sections of the Celtic fanbase are feeling, as he told Go Radio.
“I get the feeling there is a group of fans out there who would prefer Hearts to win the league than Celtic, because they would hammer home the point,” claimed Mulgrew.
Do you agree with Charlie Mulgrew, Celtic fans?
Very interesting take!
Charlie Mulgrew makes outrageous Celtic and Hearts Premiership title claim
Addressing the disastrous Wilfried Nancy era and Celtic’s abysmal recruitment, Mulgrew admitted that if returning manager Martin O’Neill ‘pulls this out of the hat,’ it would be an absolute ‘miracle,’ noting the legendary boss has a massive ‘mountain to climb.’
Celtic’s defeat to Dundee United on Sunday was only their second domestic loss under O’Neill, yet it highlighted a glaring, underlying issue.
The actual performances on the pitch have been consistently woeful, a recurring theme that has plagued this side regardless of whether they take all three points or not.
But while the fury directed at Celtic’s hierarchy is entirely justified, Mulgrew’s astonishing claim is guaranteed to divide the fanbase fiercely.
No matter how deep the boardroom disillusionment runs, a large section of the support will argue that absolutely nothing should stop fans from backing the team on the pitch – especially when the historic milestone of securing title number 56 is on the line.
Using domestic failure to punish the directors’ box might send a loud message, but voluntarily sacrificing a championship to achieve it remains a step too far for the vast majority of true believers.
“The season has been a disaster, nobody can argue with that,” said Mulgrew. “If Martin O’Neill pulls this out of the hat, which is looking very, very unlikely. He has a mountain to climb now.
“It’s a miracle from what has gone on. Nancy coming in and the recruitment – what you prefer Hearts to win the league than Celtic to prove a point to the board?
“I get the feeling there is a group of fans out there who would prefer Hearts to win the league than Celtic, because they would hammer home the point.”
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