"We didn't like that"; Charlotte FC mirror Celtic stance on Riley McGree

By John McGinley

January 15, 2022

Charlotte FC have issued a very similar set of comments on Riley McGree to Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, helping to vindicate the Bhoys manager on the January saga.

McGree has signed for Middlesbrough in the English Championship from the MLS despite Celtic noting their interest in the player.

Postecoglou insisted the decision was as much Celtic’s as it was McGree’s, with the Bhoys not wanting to sign players who are not 100% committed to the cause.

Those are the thoughts of Charlotte sporting director Zora Krneta too, who has told The Athletic: “We want hungry players who want to be here, who want to be a part of this incredible journey that we’re starting.

“Riley McGree has become a better player and then decided that he doesn’t really want to come back to us unless he has to. And that wasn’t good enough for us, we didn’t like that.

“We didn’t like the player who is coming because we are persuading him to come. We want the player to really come here and play for this club and be part of this history. And the moment it was clear that he had doubts, I started looking into options.”

Only McGree knows why he has chosen to join Middlesbrough. He has decided not to embark on a MLS career or push for trophies with Celtic. What’s for you doesn’t go by you, as they say.

Postecoglou has a very specific view of the types of players and people he wants at the club. He won’t deviate or be manoeuvred into bidding wars for anyone, it seems. The player must want the Celtic switch.

That should serve the Bhoys well during the manager’s reign.

In other news, Rivals have burned through £100m catching up to Celtic; now Bhoys can deliver knockout blow.