Davie Provan criticises Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou for showing accountability

By Euan Davidson

November 3, 2021

Davie Provan has criticised Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, becames he blames himself for negative results.

Additionally, Provan has claimed that the Celtic manager is stubbornly refusing to play his biggest talents. That’s despite the Livingston game coming days before a crucial Europa League meeting with Ferencvaros.

In some odd comments on the Go Radio Football Show, former Celtic player Provan added to some remarks he made last week. Despite the Bhoys’ excellent form, the pundit took aim at the manager, seemingly a running theme.

Following Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Livingston, Provan said on tonight’s Go Radio Football Show [Go Radio Football Show]:

“I don’t know how many times Ange can come out and say things are his fault and keep getting away with it.

“You want a penalty box striker in there [against Livingston]. Kyogo on the bench doesn’t make any sense.

“The neutrals and the Celtic fans have got time for Ange Postecoglou, but only to a certain extent. He’s got to start picking his strongest team and getting his best players on the pitch.”

It’s hard to know what Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou could do to impress Davie Provan

It’s sad, in a way. Davie Provan is often an agreeable, reasonable pundit on Celtic matters. But there seems to be a real antipathy towards Ange Postecoglou here.

What’s it based on this time? It seems to be Postecoglou showing accountability for things he might’ve got wrong. Or for resting players before crucial European encounters.

Are we really talking about Celtic fans running out of patience with the manager? We’re close to the top of the table, we’re beginning to pick up results in Europe, have a League Cup semi-final to look forward to, and generally speaking, fans are happy.

A bad result against a frustrating team doesn’t change that. Nor does it change the fact that Celtic have won 5 of their last 6 games, and in some style.

It’s fine if you don’t like a manager. That’s allowed. However, for a pundit to make largely baseless comments about the Celtic boss and how people are responding to him, or his character? It’s a little unseemly.

If anything, Postecoglou’s ability to take flak and responsibility is enormously refreshing. He never blames referees, he doesn’t shirk from admitting if he gets things wrong.

It’s sad to see a former Celtic player like Provan throwing odd barbs at the current manager.

Read more: Norwegian international claims Celtic play “special football” under Ange Postecoglou