Dundee United manager Tam Courts believes people were too quick to judge Ange Postecoglou when he had just arrived at Celtic.
Postecoglou is a point away from bringing the Premiership title back to Parkhead and could do so at Tannadice this evening. The manager has also managed to secure the League Cup and helped himself to 3 Europa League group stage victories also.
But not many were predicting much for the new Celtic boss when he first arrived last June. The likes of Kris Boyd urged him to resign before he’d even had a chance to get his feet under the desk [Scottish Sun]. Hugh Keevins, meanwhile, insultingly claimed he wasn’t good enough after opening day defeat to Hearts [Daily Record].
So it’s not surprising to see Courts state his belief that people were far too judgemental early on. As quoted by the Courier, the United boss said: “You can clearly see he has a very clear playing identity and the players need to play in a certain style for his brand of football. He is a manager who has been backed by strong recruitment and some very clear player profiles.
“If there was any sneering towards him then I don’t know what the reaction would have been to my appointment. I think we have a habit in this country of being overly judgemental. We have a bit of an island mindset.
“I definitely felt there was a bit of people being judgemental but, when you look at his career and his track record, it was very clear he is and has been a very successful manager.”
Media pundits won’t learn their lesson but Celtic boss will have the last laugh
It’s far too hopeful to say that a lesson will be learned here. That the media in Scotland will take this into consideration the next time they underestimate someone new coming into one of the country’s biggest footballing roles. It just won’t happen.
It’s fine if you wanted to predict that Ange wouldn’t be a success here. Although what that would’ve been based on is anyone’s guess. But there appears to be an actual desire from certain pundits to see it. It felt as though there was an agenda at play here to make Postecoglou look like a clueless nobody who should never be in the job.
To say he was given leeway would be absolutely laughable. He was hounded after every negative result and there was a refusal to give him the appropriate time necessary to build a squad.
Make no mistake, if it was down to some of the pundits, they would’ve sacked Ange after the Hearts loss. He certainly wouldn’t have been keeping his job after the defeat at Livingston either. The pitch forks were well and truly out for him.
Yet he’s turned things around and made everyone look like fools for doubting him. He’s about to become the champion of Scottish football this season and you still won’t find an apology in sight.
But it’s fair to say those opinions have certainly changed now. Funny what can happen if you show someone a bit of respect and give them a fair chance.
In other news, Report: Why Scott Brown declined Celtic trophy day offer
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