ALEX’S ANGLE: LOUDMOUTHS IN PARADISE

THE cacophony of boos and jeers that descended on Parkhead last night every time Kasper Schmeichel touched the ball went beyond despicable.

It beggars comprehension that so-called fans would aim such sickening derision towards one of their own players.

There is absolutely no justification for such vile, inexcusable and reprehensible outpourings that target any professional who is doing his best for the club.

Okay, Schmeichel was slow to get down to shots that looked eminently saveable for the first and third goals. He may well be the first to accept culpability on both occasions.

Now our ears are ringing amid the banshee-like screeches to ditch the keeper and bring in Viljami Sinisalo. I doubt if Martin O’Neill will pay too much heed to ropey advice from a collection of malicious dissenters.

Goalkeepers accept they are the Aunt Sallies of football. If they make a mistake, it is usually fatal. There is no hiding place for the poor, old netminder if he slips up. The fans may well moan and groan if they think their keeper has thrown one into the net.

They pay their money and they are entitled to their opinion. That’s fair game. But the lines of what is right and fair within criticism get blurred and obscured when they decide it is open season on a particular individual.

LET’S TALK…interim manager Martin O’Neill and keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Such reactions are not de riguer in any sport or, in fact, any facet of life. It is highly inappropriate to single out anyone for such atrocious and spiteful treatment. Not only is it grossly offensive, but also downright scunnersome.

It reflects more on the bullying perpetrator with the big mouth than the intended victim.

It makes you wonder if there is some hidden place outside football grounds where the more vociferous and vitriolic among us can park their brains before kick-off and pick them up on their way home.

Those who tend to cut to the chase in debates will no doubt point to the fact that Schmeichel was to blame for the loss of crucial goals. Start and end of argument.

They will conveniently overlook what occurred before an opposing player even got sight of the Celtic goal.

Take the opening Stuttgart strike in the 15th minute, for instance.

CORNER BHOY…Paulo Bernardo hopes to be a big noise at Celtic.

Paulo Bernardo, hoping for an extended run in the team with Arne Engels sidelined through injury and Reo Hatate struggling big-time, trotted over to take a corner-kick on the left wing.

Up went Liam Scales, the best header of the ball at the club, and Auston Trusty while towering Tomas Cvancara took up a position of maximum nuisance value to the opposing goalkeeper.

Everything was set up as the hosts looked for an early breakthrough goal. And what happens?

Bernardo completely fluffs his kick, fails to his effort get past the first defender and 40 seconds later the ball is in the Celtic net.

Admittedly, Schmeichel should have dealt with the low shot to his left, but you could argue the ball should have been nowhere near his penalty box.

How difficult is it to swing a ball from a set-play into a goalmouth?

While spleens are vented in raucous fashion and there is much finger-pointing, the fact that Bernardo unwittingly began the move gets lost among the avalanche of abuse aimed at the Dane.

And what can you say about the third and killer goal for the Bundesliga club 12 minutes after the turnaround that knocked the oomph out of Martin O’Neill’s side?

GRIM AND BEAR IT…experienced Scotland international Kieran Tierney.

Kieran Tierney lined up to take a throw-in on the left. It failed to hit its target and about six or seven passes later it’s game over.

Schmeichel, once again, gets it in the neck, but no-one makes a big deal about the surrender of possession from one of the club’s most experienced players.

The legendary Jock Stein had a matchday mantra for his players when he told them: “If you see a team-mate struggling, go and help him. Next week, it could be you who’s struggling and in need of their help.”

It’s the same as the connection between those on the field and those in the stand. They need your support.

Celtic are heading into a sequence of fixtures where full backing from the fans is an urgent requirement for those carrying the burden of attempting to deliver favourable results.

Screaming abuse at your own players does nobody any favours apart from the opposition.

For those of moronic tendencies, please try to keep that in mind.

As a great man once said: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”

Amen to that.

ALEX GORDON

 

 

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