Martin O’Neill has backed bungling Michael Nicholson over Celtic’s recruitment shambles.
Over the last 10 days the hoops boss has gone on record hoping that Celtic could strike deals to re-sign Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.
Both players were heavily involved in last season’s double success and had expressed a desire to return to the club.
They seemed the most straightforward of deals to complete but once again CEO Nicholson failed to do his job.
With 16 days left till the start of the SPFL season the Celtic squad is weaker than the one that finished last season.
O’Neill was full of hilarious banter as he went through eight minutes deflecting from the failings of Nicholson to conclude deals to strengthen the squad.
Going out for a drink with the four reporters that covered the trip to Portugal was a particular favourite theme.
On Friday night the Daily Record, Sun and Herald were all called in to portray Iheanacho as greedy, shifting the goalposts and demanding mega-buck deals.
O’NEILL JUMPS TO THE DEFENCE
Two days earlier O’Neill was still hopeful of getting both players signed up.
All those present at the media conference roared with laughter as another day was lost in trying to strengthen Celtic.
O’Neill seems to think that it is still the year 2000. His wacky side tracking never surfaced back then, these days supporters watch and listen to every word.
According to O’Neill Celtic seem to have been led up the garden path by Iheanacho and Saracchi.
It is a major concern that it took eight weeks to discover this.
There are always two sides to every transfer. He’s gone, I thought we had a deal with him at the time but that wasn’t the case and so he’s gone to pastures new.
The option ran out, that’s fine. But the option would be to take someone on similar terms to before, so that’s where the difference was.
On Saracchi he added:
Again there are two sides to every story. Jokingly I said after he made the goal against Hearts I’d give him a 26-year deal, which was an exaggeration.
It’s happened, players have gone. I think he’s done really well at the club and there were circumstances which it seemingly meant it was never going to happen.
Both players have explained what went on through social media to explain what had happened.
O’Neill responded with ‘there are two sides to every story’. Twice. With two weeks to go till the season starts he has one first team ready left-back while his striker options consist of Camilo Duran, Callum Osmand and Johnny Kenny.
Only the Irishman has started a competitive match for Celtic. In January Kenny was sent on loan to Bolton to make way for Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu.
The gags are going down a treat in the press room and with his new media buddies. Celtic fans are less amused.
I think we should also all consider that both players may be a little miffed at not getting a deal and could possibly be stirring the pot a little knowing that the fanbase isn’t entirely enamoured with the suits at this time.
I suppose it is perfectly feasible that they were making demands that weren’t going to be met and perhaps we shouldn’t take what they say at fave value.
They all play the game as do the board.
It doesn’t mean Im on the suits side at all but just old and wise enough to know none of them might be being terribly truthful.
Editor: Players and agents play at games. When you realise that you are getting played you move on and sign Plan B, assuming that you have a competent recruitment team and CEO capable of answering and making phone calls.
Celtic had a years extension on Iheanacho contract. They allowed it to expire meaning he was now a free agent. So what is he to think? They obviously don’t want me, he heard nothing. All Celtic had to do was trigger the extension. They did nothing, they let it expire so from then on the player is entitled to weigh up his options. Only then did Celtic react. They thought they could get him on a cheaper contract. They gambled again and lost again. This is 100% on Nicholson.
Spot on Stevie Bhoy.?
Spot on Stevie Bhoy.?
Get DD away from our club hexthe problem???
Spot on
Well done Martin
You’ve proved your a sell out and the seasons not even started
Suppose that’s final confirmation that any hope we had that MON could force
positive change, with regards to transfers, is simply not going to happen?
Things are going to get a good bit worse, before they get better… 🙁
“But the option would be to take someone on similar terms to before, so that’s where the difference was.”
So an AGREED contract a year earlier now doesn´t fit inside the budget? Let the clause expire and try to get the player to take a wage cut of almost 50% ? Shows the player that you want him , ah but wait .. the agent has a look at the club´s recorded bank balance … hmmm why are they pleading poverty with all that money in the bank , come on son we will find a SERIOUS club for you!!
So if everyone is expecting a wage cut … that include Silent Mike and his sidekick?
Was talking to a journalist colleague yesterday here in Portugal, and he asked me about Celtic and the new season, when I explained the current situation his reply was .. are they AMATEURS ?
Also asked me why the fans couldn´t vote the board out (you have to understand that over here the clubs are run in a democratic way, where the associate members or “socios” pay a monthly amount (as well as a season ticket) to the club to assist the smooth running of said club WITH the caveat that every 5 years they hold elections to decide which SOCIO (yes to be considered you have to be a member of over 15/20 years unbroken payments – sort of guarantees that whoever is in charge is a REAL FAN ) becomes the President and his board of Vice Presidents etc … ) when I told him that we are following the tune of a shareholder who has only 34% (not a legal majority) he raised his eyes and said once more AMATEURS. This my friends is how we are perceived on the continent … as AMATEURS and a Laughing Stock !! … but of course the happy clappers be clapping as we have had fantastic success and you don´t want to be like the huns do you ?? give me strength !!
MON should’ve left in the Summer, his legacy will be tainted….he is nothing but a mouth piece for DD and his cohorts!