Celtic expert can’t believe what fans are saying about Peter Lawwell after Sky’s bid reveal
Frank McAvennie has defended Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said that although fans will blame Lawwell for Cho Gue-sung’s transfer falling through, he has nothing to do with buying players.
Lawwell returned to the club as non-executive chairman this month after retiring in the summer of 2021.
The Celts were one of three clubs to have submitted an offer for South Korea striker Cho Gue-sung as they look set to lose Giorgos Giakoumakis.
But according to Korean outlet Sports Donga, as relayed by the Scotsman (14 January), the forward has opted to remain at his current club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
McAvennie defended Lawwell and insisted he had no part to play in the failure to secure a deal.
“It is not like Ange to talk about players before they are done,” he told Football Insider.
“I do not understand why that has fallen short.
“Everyone jumps to conclusions and says that because Peter Lawwell is back in everything has slowed down. He is the chairman now so he has not got anything to do with buying the players. So there must be something else.
“Giakoumakis is a certainty to go. I thought he was a good addition but he has been missing some chances.“
According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph (16 January), Celtic have accepted an offer from Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds for Giakoumakis.
The initial fee is believed to be £3million but the striker is still weighing up his options.
In other news, McManus has backed Celtic to seal ‘£4m’ Kevin Nisbet deal after ‘big’ update.