Charlie Nicholas has denied claims that he is jealous of the current success that Celtic are enjoying. He did however admit that he was envious.
On Sunday the hoops became the first club to win the Scottish Cup four years running with that trophy eluding Nicholas during two spells as a Celtic player.
Since retiring from football and moving into the media the former Celtic and Arsenal striker has been a regular critic of the club that gave him his chance in football as a teenager.
Brendan Rodgers’ didn’t get the same level of criticism as previous managers but any failings in Europe were highlighted by Nicholas through his appearances on Sky Sports or newspaper columns.
During the summer Sky Sports dropped Nicholas from their schedules but picking up on his column in The Express, the Daily Record reports:
There is a suggestion that ex-players who criticise Lennon or don’t wish the best for Celtic are jealous. I have never been jealous but I am envious of this Celtic team. I would have loved to play in this era, lifting the trophies they have.
Celtic were not dominant against Hearts in last weekend’s Scottish Cup Final but it was all about getting the quadruple-treble in the bag. It has to be acknowledged that Celtic have produced some high standards over the last four years. You can see those standards are slipping and there are weaknesses in their team now.
According to Google there is very little difference been jealous and envious. Google describes jealous as:
feeling or showing an envious resentment of someone or their achievements, possessions, or perceived advantages.
Similar: envious, covetous, desirous, resentful, grudging, begrudging
Nicholas was in the Celtic side that won the Premier Division in season 1980/81 and 1981/82 and scored in the 1982/83 League Cup Final win.