Celtic really risking the feel-good factor around club with reported Strachan appointment

By Euan Davidson

August 10, 2021

Celtic are at risk of alienating supporters after a report emerged stating Gordon Strachan was to take an advisory role at the club [Sun].

The report, from The Scottish Sun, claims that Strachan will take up his job at Celtic tomorrow.

Strachan, who managed Celtic between 2005 and 2009, won 3 league titles, a Scottish Cup and two League Cups as Bhoys boss. He also took Celtic to the latter stages of the Champions League.

However, by the end of his spell, supporters were unimpressed by the style of football under the ex-Leeds midfielder. Strachan would go on to manage Middlesbrough and Scotland.

The ex-Celtic boss has worked with Dundee as technical advisor. Dens boss James McPake spoke in 2020 about how helpful the former Scotland manager had been behind the scenes [Courier].

The former Bhoys boss looks to be joining on a relatively informal basis. According to STV, he’ll keep his job at Dundee, while advising Celtic on the development of youth, B and Women’s teams [STV].

However, it’s a reported appointment that hasn’t gone down too well with supporters. With the new, fresh impetus brought to the club by Ange Postecoglou and, to a degree Dom McKay, turning back the clock to bring in Strachan looks a little short-sighted in some respects.

While, yes, Strachan can bring his experience and knowledge of the Scottish game to Celtic, it’s not the best look for the club. Especially when both he and Martin O’Neill were approached as results took a slide last season [The Athletic].

It’s hard, then, not to see this as a regressive move from Dermot Desmond. According to the Sun’s reporting, it was the principal shareholder who engineered a Strachan return.

Celtic supporters hardly enthused about Gordon Strachan returning

Celtic supporters had their say on social media:

Read more: Former Bhoy opens up on chaotic departure