Recently, we published an article written by a Celtic fan, Gerry Gillespie, who wanted to give the Boro fans the advantage of his experiences of Gordon Strachan as manager of the Bhoys.
Gillespie felt that although Strachan was undeniably successful at Celtic, he took away a lot of the soul of the club and implemented boring football which in turn drove away a section of the fans.
The article garnered many responses from Celtic fans who, it would seem, remain totally divided in their opinion of the manager who lead the club to three titles.
Jimbo, was very much in favour of Strachan, and commented:
"What a bloody stupid and nonsensical argument. I too am a season ticket holder at Parkhead. Three titles in four years. Champions League last 16 twice. What a record!
All this whilst reducing the average age of the squad and halving (yes, halving) the wage bill. Beating AC Milan, champions at the time, giving Barcelona a really good challenge at home.
Some people just don\'t have a clue. \"Knowledgeable fans\"? Maybe, but not about football I\'m afraid."
And Ian agreed, writing:
"I second Jimbo's comments. There were many Celtic supporters who had it in for Strachan from day one, they just didn't accept him as a manager. No matter what he did he was criticised and he never received full credit for his achievements."
However, Tim was in aggreement with the grievances Gillespie expressed in his article, saying:
"I agree with the article. So many bad signings, he has left Celtic the worst I have ever seen in my life, and in cutting the wage bill in half? - Jimbo you really need to look at the accounts - its at 39 million a year while the team that reached the Uefa cup final was at 41 million so something doesnt add up!!! All the best Boro, you're gonna need it."
Tim was far from the only Celtic fan to write in to either lambast Strachan or warn Boro fans of what they fear is to come, stevie m, wrote:
"I fear for your chances of promotion! This new bloke you have as the gaffer has serious misunderstandings of how to communicate with his customers (the Boro fans) and will utterly fail in trying to re-educate you the Strachan-Pendrey Way!! Get used to boring football!! and watch how he sets up his zonal marking! After all this, hold your nerve!..cause some Tic fans thought he was ok! Time will tell...I only hope it does not last four years!
Vini felt that a section of Celtic fans, such as Gillespie, were to blame for Strachan's departure from the club. Vini, said:
"WGS had a brief when he joined Celtic. He was told to help the board cut debt/and the wage bill whilst winning titles.
He helped us win three titles out of four and we lost the last one on the last day of the season. Not bad whilst reducing the debt in my opinion.
It's a disgrace that Celtic fans are slating him. He absolutely loves our club, but the minority of spoilt fans dont seem to appreciate anything he did for us.
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Greatest fans in the world my ar**!"
In case Boro fans heads were now spinning at the war or words being conducted between those Celtic fans who appreciated Strachan's achievements, and those who disliked his management style and attitude, SFTB tried to explain the situation as he saw it.
SFTB, said:
"As you can see, Gordon Strachan split the Celtic support down the middle and, at the end, had to leave for the sake of his own sanity.
Many Celtic fans did not support him from day one, and, when we had bad early results, they were confirmed in their prejudice. Thereafter, he delivered three titles in a row and took Celtic to the last 16 of the Champions League twice.
Those unprecedented (at least since 1974) achievements are in the record book and his begrudgers cannot take that away from him. However, at Celtic, it merely earned him the right to keep going for another year. When he failed in that year - and he and the players did fail - he had to go.
His critics said he would be no match for Rangers' manager(s). He was.
They then said anyone could manage in the SPL but he'll never succeed in Europe. He did.
They then said, that's all very well, but his team is boring to watch. That argument did hold water and, when he lost his first league in four years, he was out.
With a club, like Boro, willing to support him, you will get well coached players and a rather rigid style of play. His team will be effective rather than exciting.
I liked Gordon as a person. I wish him and Boro success. I hope he gets a chance to settle somewhere and not be forced out by fans whose agenda for success changes day by day.
Modern fans are somewhat spoiled. I hope Boro fans can resist the loudmouths."
In the end, Boro fans will form their own opinions of Strachan, hopefully based on his performance as a manager rather than media influence or personal prejudices. However it is interesting to see a section of fans still so divided over their club's former manager.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 18-11-09
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