What now? Well, in such a celebratory week, the best possible end to the year and start to 2009 would be a reconciliation between the two men.
There have been reports that Aiden either had or intended to apologise to Gordon. I hope that, for once, the speculation is true.
Any of us who have ever been young men know how easy it is to blurt out ill-considered words when there is a perception of injustice. One of those hard lessons that you only seem to learn years after it is of any use is that these outbursts are almost invariably a mistake. In fact, as often as not, even when you’re right, you end up in the wrong.
In this case, as has been recognised by most fans, Aiden’s behaviour couldn’t be defended, even if it might be understood. Apart from the issues of internal discipline, the manager’s need to show strength to the dressing room and recognition of the millions of people in soul-destroying jobs who have had to bite their lip when they think their boss is being unreasonable, one fact has been largely ignored.
Gordon Strachan is the manager of Celtic and whoever occupies that role deserves at least the respect that goes along with such a prestigious position at our club. For generations, the manager of Celtic was a figurehead for a community that is unique in football. You cannot abuse the Celtic manager without demeaning part of the club itself.
But there are myriad other reasons for Aiden to take the difficult step of apologising.
Firstly, in his own interests, why would he want to give racist Rangers supporters the satisfaction of leaving the club with so much undone? Thousands of Rangers fans hate Aiden purely because he plays for Celtic and Ireland. If he leaves, it will be the only solace that sorry bunch enjoy this festive season. If he goes without ever having put in a truly memorable performance against them – a Lubo game – he will surely regret it.
Secondly, Aiden really has much to learn about football. He is also in the fortunate position of having all the ability to develop into a top-class player if he can only listen to the advice and instructions of one of the best training ground coaches in the game.
Aiden has been quoted reminiscing on the advice of Tommy Burns, that one piece of magic can win a match. That is true – but the great players look to perform as part of a team for 90 minutes, with the flashes of brilliance merely providing the memorable moments in glittering careers. It is, if you like, the difference between being David Ginola and Zinedine Zidane.
As to taking instructions from a coach; well, where to start? Remember Henrik Larsson when Martin O’Neill came to Celtic? Henrik was already a superstar in the eyes of the fans, yet Martin quickly changed his game, telling him to spend more time in the box and leave the build-up work to others. Larsson could have been forgiven for wondering why anyone should wish to change such an outstanding player. Instead, he chose to put his faith in the manager and rose to even greater heights that need hardly be illustrated here.
Take a star of a different sport: Joe Calzaghe. Calzaghe is probably the finest current British sportsman, thought by very shrewd judges to be the best boxer in the world and, many argue, the greatest British fighter of all time. Yet when things have gone badly in a fight it has been common to see his father and coach, Enzo, berating him on live television, even slapping him.
Did this make Joe “lose face” to the watching millions? No, because throughout it all he recognised that Enzo only ever gave him good advice and had much to teach him about his sport. Calzaghe’s 100% record remains intact and his stature has grown yearly.
Self-confidence is an asset in anyone, especially those who wish to rise to the top. Truly great Celtic players like Tommy Burns, Danny McGrain, Paul McStay and Henrik Larsson married that with a degree of humility that earned them the acclaim so often denied to others less reticent in outlining their own qualities.
It would be deeply sad if Aiden was to leave Celtic without having risen to the standing his talents can and should merit. If he wants to take the place most of us hope he will accede to, amongst the all-time greats, he will need at least two outstanding seasons in the hoops after this one.
Then, when he has learned all he can in the time, when he has been an integral part of great successes, when he has tormented the club’s most bitter rivals, he may wish to look elsewhere – and he will just be entering his peak years.
A couple of other things Aiden might muse on:
- the people who tell you that you are right all the time are rarely the ones giving you the best counsel.
- men who have the ability to offer a sincere apology never lose face – they earn the respect of other men (and women) worthy of the name
I cannot believe that a man like Gordon Strachan – a petulant wee bachle in his time – wants anything other than to reinstate a fruitful relationship with the player who has arguably most to give.
Aiden, I’m sure that like almost all Celtic fans, he expects only the best of you and desires only the best for you. Your future – and a piece of Celtic’s – is in your hands.
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