The Celtic board are under intense media scrutiny.
A frustrating transfer window, in which many felt that Brendan Rodgers wasn’t sufficiently backed, has left many Hoops fans looking for answers.
Rodgers himself has been briefed against in the media, as speculation and opinion floats everywhere. He described the briefing as a “cowardly action.”
Fans have made their feelings clear with two stadium protests in the side’s last two domestic matches. There seems to be a general consensus among the Parkhead support.
But one former Hoops favourite has had to clarify his position on the club higher-ups, amid an accusation that he has been supporting the board.
Charlie Mulgrew responds to Celtic board supporter claim
Charlie Mulgrew was born and raised a Celtic fan, and knows what it’s like to follow the Celts from the outside.
A six-year spell playing for the first team has surely changed his perspective – but is he a supporter of the club’s board?
On the Go Radio Football Show on Thursday, a passionate caller said that they hadn’t bought the Europa League package out of frustration about the Celtic hierarchy.
Incredulous at current state of things, he then said: “You’re supporting the board. I don’t know why, Charlie.”
Mulgrew responded: “I’ve only ever said my honest opinion. And my honest opinion is this: the board at Celtic for the last 20 years have done a great job.
“I don’t think anybody can argue with that, especially when you compare it directly to what’s happened at Rangers. I think anybody at the club across the city would love a board and a team as well-run as Celtic have done it.
“The recruitment this year hasn’t been up to scratch. We don’t know who does the recruitment, we don’t know what the process is. But I think the board should come out and tell everybody what that is. What’s the recruitment process, what does that look like, who makes the decisions on the signings.
“I think the fans deserve to have their opinion, of course, they pay a lot of money and deserve that clarity over the roles within the club and who does what. That’s my honest opinion, there’s no doubt about it.
“The frontline should’ve been strengthened earlier, I think if someone from the board comes out and says ‘apologies, it was a mistake,’ I think people can accept that.
“But I stand by that it’s not a case of standing by the board or standing by Brendan Rodgers. There’s not a side I’m taking here. I’m giving an overall view on what I know. This is what I think the scenario is.”
Do the Celtic board get an easy treatment in the media?
When Hoops figures such as Neil Lennon call for fans to show more appreciation for the board, it is often met with negative reactions from the support.
This makes sense. We all want Celtic to win, but you have a different perspective when you’re paying to see the team out of your own pocket.
With such strong fan feelings being made public about the board, there has been a shift in media coverage among the support.
Even Andy Walker has come out against the Celtic board’s communication. Regardless of what people’s motivations are, there will always be a mix of opinions.
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