I’ll be honest, I was a bit sad to read about the departure of Phillipe Clement as Rangers Boss yesterday.
In all seriousness, as someone who has recently experienced redundancy, being told you’re surplus to requirements despite years of hard work is not something I would wish on anyone. I mean that sincerely.
Although, from a purely professional viewpoint, as a writer and a Celtic YouTube contributor, the guy was a goldmine for stories, chat and general comedy.
Sorry to Mention “Them” Again
I feel slightly dirty, maybe even a little ashamed of myself every time I write about our wannabe rivals across the city. But as the “The Banter Years” become “The Banter Decades” I am kind of obliged to occasionally check in with The Big Hoose and its latest unfortunate inhabitants.
They Ain’t Winning No Trophies, Fool!
Like the proverbial gift that keeps on giving, the latest managerial appointment ensures that Ibrox continues to be a pot of comedy gold. Though I highly doubt it’s guarded by a leprechaun!
Celtic fans on Social Media were quick to label Barry Ferguson and his team of tax-avoiders now running Rangers as The EBT TEAM.
“If you have a problem, if no-one else is affordable and if you can find them...”
Well, you get the picture.
They Understand the Ibrox Mindset (Failure)
In fairness to Ferguson he does have some managerial experience, having been let go by both Kelty Hearts and Clyde. The less said about Neil McCann’s aborted attempt at managing Dundee, the better. Billy Dodds was relatively successful at Inverness Caley, albeit in a time when the club rolled towards financial ruin with massive overspending in a desperate bid to escape The Championship.
As for Allan MacGregor, well he has as much managerial experience as I do.
Actually, that’s a falsehood, I apologize.
I was assistant coach of my former workplace’s high school team for a few games last summer.
Staunch is the Word, Apparently...
The response from Rangers supporters online (I mean people who actually pay to go to games, not journalists), has been mostly positive.
“Finally, real, staunch Rangers men are in charge.” Seems to be the general consensus. That seems to be the only qualification required to manage at the Inland Revenue Arena these days. Aside from exceedingly low wage demands, of course.
Yes, it doesn’t matter how poorly prepared you are, or how little practical experience you have of managing at Scottish Premiership level. So long as your brown brogues are shiny and you fit the ideological make-up of a “true Rangers man” and not some “bloody foreigner” then that’s all you need, according to most bluenoses online anyway.
It Doesn’t Matter What Team Our Manager Supports
Now, Brendan Rodgers says he has always been a Celtic fan, and I’ve no reason to doubt that. It is however, utterly irrelevant to his suitability to manage our club. He has been invited to manage our club, twice, because he’s a proven manager at the very highest levels of football. Indeed, Celtic’s success over generations of football has come about in no small part because of our ability to look beyond those born into our club and its culture.
Jock Stein Showed What Celtic Means to Those Who Embrace It
I think this idea is probably best summed up by a quote from our greatest ever manager, Jock Stein. He said: “I cannot claim Celtic was my first love, but I can say it will be my last.”
Speaking to the wider idea of our signing policies, Stein also later said: “We are a football team who will play anyone from anywhere, from any walk of life, from any religion, from any creed. That is Celtic Football Club.”
And that is why being “raised in the culture” should never and will never be a deciding factor in who becomes Celtic manager in the future. We are a club for all, and will always have that advantage over teams who are not.