Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has opened up on the Pittodrie pitch invader moment as he states he was left “baffled”.
A rather bizarre and slightly worrying moment took place in the first half when a Dons supporter was able to run onto the pitch and get right up to Joe Hart.
Thankfully, the intentions were anything but dangerous as he posed for a video with the Celtic goalkeeper. However, it was hugely concerning as he was able to head back over the railings and back towards his seat afterward. It was bizarre and didn’t reflect well on the policing of the game.
And even as Ange tried to make light of the situation to an extent, he admitted he didn’t particularly like it.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, Ange said: “I think we all were baffled. It was like he had a free pass because he just wandered off and got back to his seat. Fair play to him he’s obviously got some special pass that allows him to do that!
“I don’t like that because I always fear that you just don’t know what’s coming. You don’t want players to react to that or get involved. At the end of the day it was harmless enough, overexuberance. We were all a bit baffled by his entry and exit. He’s obviously got some all-access pass that none of us have!”
Ange Postecoglou shows his class again as he dismisses fan situation
You have to say fair play to the manager for how he’s taken it. He could’ve been forgiven for being absolutely raging at an opposition supporter being able to go right up to his goalkeeper.
But even though this incident ultimately led to nothing, it sets a really poor example. Sure, the incident was harmless enough last night, but who’s to say the next supporter will be just as unthreatening? You can’t have a situation where rival fans are able to storm the pitch and go right up to players.
Not to mention he managed to effectively leave the pitch unchallenged too. Many will see it as humorous and clearly Ange saw a funny side, but these kinds of moments set a dangerous example.
Credit to Hart and Celtic for just getting on with it. It would’ve been easy for Joe to react. But then again, he’s the consummate professional and it showed last night.
Thankfully, it didn’t stop the Hoops from bagging a huge 3 points in the Granite City. Celtic got the job done and forward we go.
Here’s hoping the pitch invasion we saw, however, won’t be replicated in the near future.
In other news, Celtic TV footage captures class Jota and Hart moment after opening goal
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