Celtic news: English pundit can’t believe unexpected twist to controversy
Noel Whelan has heralded Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou for standing up for referees amid widespread criticism in Scotland.
The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Hoops boss hit the nail on the head with his assessment of officials.
As quoted by BBC Sport (10 March), Postecoglou insisted he has seen “players and managers make a hell of a lot more mistakes than referees this year.”
He stated it is “very easy” for people to complain about the officiating instead of analysing their own performances.
Livingston boss David Martindale insisted his side were “hard-done-by” over two refereeing decisions in their 3-1 defeat to Celtic.
However, Whelan insisted Postecoglou was right to defend the officials.
“We know how difficult it is for referees at any level,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the Premier League in England, we’ve seen mistakes. Let’s be honest, they’re making mistakes with VAR and every single angle you can have. We’re still not getting it right.
“For the Scottish Premiership who don’t have VAR, it’s a mistake you just have to get on with. You can’t complain about it. It’s a very, very difficult position, there’s so much going on in a game of football.
“It happens that quickly, it’s difficult to get everything correct. Nine times out of 10, you’ve got to just respect the fact that they’re trying their very, very best.
“Like a player that has a bad game for a manager, it’s not done on purpose. There’s no vindictiveness about it, it’s just a mistake that you make during those 90 minutes.
“Sometimes managers get formations wrong. Everyone has to deal with their demons at the end of 90 minutes. He’s come out and said the right thing.
“I think he’s got a more sensible way of looking at things, rather than complaining that it’s always the referee’s fault. It’s not.
“You can’t blame the referee for a striker missing the penalty or a chance. You can’t blame the referee for a defender not defending the ball properly or not marking the man. It’s not the referee’s fault when a midfield player gives the ball away.
“In the grand old scheme of things, I think Postecoglou’s said exactly the way it should be and what it is.”
In other news, Scottish pundit claims Celtic handed title boost after what he has seen from Hoops star.