Ange Postecoglou wasn’t prepared to defend James McCarthy’s display against Livingston but he wasn’t going to join in the witch hunt either.
Joe Hart was the only player spared criticism online but there was a real intensity about the online reaction to McCarthy’s first start as a Celtic player.
A decade of playing in the EPL doesn’t provide immunity to interrogation with the four year deal announced for the midfielder raising concerns from the time it was announced.
A month after signing that deal and after four substitute appearances McCarthy played at Livingston with his performance drawing some fearsome criticism.
Discussing McCarthy, the Daily Record reports Postecoglou saying:
Fair or unfair, James is a big boy and I’m sure he’s had plenty of criticism in his career and it was his first game.
He will be the first to admit he didn’t have a great one but there were plenty of others alongside him who would also admit the same. I didn’t have a great day at the office, mate.
We have a responsibility as a whole group to go out there and represent our club and our supporters and those kind of opinions can change pretty quickly. I’m sure James is aware of that.
With Callum McGregor out injured Postecoglou doesn’t have many midfield options for tonight’s Premier Sports Cup tie at home to Raith Rovers.
McCarthy is in need of games, Celtic have four matches before the October international break which should give the former Everton man the chance to accelerate his match fitness.
Get used to it big guy. This is Scotland.