For those who don’t know by now, having agreed with the media that there would be no discussions on his future at Celtic for the Sunderland manager’s post, BBC Scotland’s Chris McLaughlin decided to ask: “Do you see your long-term future at Celtic?”
What was on McLaughlin’s mind, only he can answer. Was he having a brain-dead moment? Was he trying to be antagonistic? Broadcast or print journalists are rarely expected to respond to such speculation.
And, ironically, the question came after Gordon had insisted on maintaining a gentleman’s agreement, despite others having leaked information on a managers’ meeting to the press.
But Strachan’s upset was clear: “When I give you respect, I don’t get it back.”
He didn’t mention his counterpart at Ibrox (and probably wasn’t thinking about him). But it must irk the Celtic manager that a special level of disdain is reserved for the incumbent in that role in a Scottish media that fawns over anyone who happens to occupy the Ibrox hotseat.
It has always been this way in living memory and Celtic managers have responded in a variety of ways. Alex Ferguson remarked how Jock Stein gathered information on the hacks who followed Celtic around, often making reference to their secret vices just within their earshot.
Billy McNeill famously punched Gerry McNee, who had been so thin-skinned on hearing some implied criticism of his work that he foolishly suggest Billy discuss it with him outside.
Kenny Dalglish moved media conferences to the Celtic social club and had inveterate liar and embittered Celtic critic Hugh Keevins forcibly ejected.
But, when the press held power, many Celtic fans were sadly misled – goaded into abusing the key figures at Celtic by reporters and editors with an all-too-obvious agenda.
Josef Venglos was subjected to humiliating abuse, as was John Barnes, while a torrent of criticism was directed at McNeill, Dalglish, Jock Brown (yes, he was human too), Fergus McCann and latterly Strachan. Even Martin O’Neill was attacked for putting his arm round Neil Lennon in a show of support.
However, I sense that something has changed. With the advent of the internet bringing numerous Celtic sites and forums to fans’ computers, not to mention better-quality sports coverage from non-Scottish titles, supporters have choices. And increasingly, that choice is to make up our own minds, discarding the vacuous pronouncements of the fourth estate with the contempt they generally so fully merit.
Walter Smith or David Murray need not fear criticism from the press because unwritten codes prohibit such comment.
But with Strachan’s defiance, there was a sense of confidence. Perhaps there was a realisation that the Scottish media have damaged their credibility irreparably with Celtic fans to the extent that all their jibes, spin, and venom are utterly irrelevant.
Celtic fans will still criticise the club and certain people when they feel the need to. The debate between us will continue to be vociferous.
But as far as those reporters, writers, subs and editors who think of themselves as bona fide journalists are concerned, they might as well be talking to themselves.
Friday 5th December 2008 – the day the Celtic manager became media-proof.
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