Virgo licks his wounds

It was sad to see Adam Virgo leaving Celtic having never looked like establishing himself as a top-level player. But like any footballer who faces disappointments, Virgo had two choices – accept his failings and bad luck, vowing to fulfil his dreams or whine like a petulant schoolboy about it being the fault of everyone but himself.

Virgo chose the latter.

When players leave Celtic on a low, it is often a sad occasion and unkind reflections on their time at the club are usually uncalled-for. That would have been my reaction to Virgo’s departure – wish him luck and say nothing about his capabilities as he seemed like a nice enough lad.

However, he may be right to blame Gordon Strachan. Only the manager (and Mark McGhee) apparently know what aptitudes Virgo has as a player. He certainly didn’t show any signs of talent or athleticism in his ill-fated days with the club.

Virgo claims that had be been given “a run of ten games in central defence” he would have laid claim to a regular place. Even accounting for the vague possibility that this was plausible, it is a response that betrays a grossly unrealistic outlook.

Ten games with a liability in central defence will cost a team a league championship. It is a luxury he might enjoy at Brighton but never in a top side.

Contrast Virgo’s reaction with Steven Pressley – who was dropped after being off the pace in one game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Pressley was genuinely unlucky. A model professional who was not short of offers when he signed for Celtic, injuries and surgery had affected his condition. He was understandably frustrated at his lack of opportunities as the season progressed but never once resorted to the sort of petulant pouting Virgo has indulged in.

Who knows – Virgo may yet be a star in English League One.