It’s a funny old game, Martin O’Neill has previously spoken about wanting Marcelo Saracchi back at Celtic, but he can’t now explain why he won’t return.
All summer long, Saracchi’s loan spell from last season being turned into a permanent deal has been a talking point.
To nobody’s surprise, Celtic couldn’t agree a deal with Saracchi, with the player himself making it clear on social media, ‘My agent and I did absolutely everything within our power to make a return to Glasgow happen.’
That was put to O’Neill in his post-match press conference after Celtic’s draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon, and his response was that of someone who clearly doesn’t want to upset the board.
Who is to blame for Marcelo Saracchi not returning to Celtic? 🤔
The left-back has made his feelings clear….👀🍀
Martin O’Neill gives his side to Marcelo Saracchi not returning to Celtic
Gordon Duncan: “Someone who was here last season, Marcelo Saracchi. He was on Instagram saying that he was ‘gutted’ to leave. They did ‘everything ‘ to stay here.
“Could you explain?”
O’Neill: “Again, two sides to every story.”
Duncan: “Are you disappointed not to have (Saracchi) for this season?”
O’Neill: “Aye, disappointment. I jokingly said after he made the goal against Hearts that I would give him a 26-year deal, I think, at the time. That might have been a slight exaggeration.
“But it’s happened. Players have gone. What I would say about Saracchi is that he has done really well at the football club. I think there are circumstances which seemingly was never going to happen.”
O’Neill is digging a deeper hole at Celtic
Kelechi Iheanacho won’t return to Celtic. Saracchi won’t return to Celtic.
O’Neill’s response on why both deals weren’t pushed over the line? ‘There are two sides to every story.’
Without going into detail about why, O’Neill is just digging a bigger hole for himself by seemingly being a cheerleader for the board in public and not giving a proper response to fans.
Yes, one deal might not get over the line, for one reason or another. But two? And that, with the same Celtic board who have a history of this nonsense?!
What’s even worse from O’Neill’s perspective is that he has lauded and applauded Saracchi for his loan spell last season, including the crucial role he played in Celtic beating Hearts on the final day of the season.
Yet, he can’t provide a proper answer as to why a player he wanted back in Glasgow won’t return, and instead, he dives into his usual comedic response to questions.
That just turns the attention away from the serious matter at hand. Everyone chuckles at his response, and then nobody knows the real reason why such important players won’t be at Celtic next season.
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