The turbulence surrounding Celtic this season has been unlike anything the club has experienced in recent memory. Manager sackings, supporter protests directed at the board, a goalkeeper being booed by his own fans, and a series of candid public statements have defined a deeply troubled campaign. Gabby Agbonlahor has weighed in on it all, making clear where he stands on each issue.
On the question of fan protests, Agbonlahor said he cannot bring himself to criticise the supporters. When Celtic fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch during the opening minute of the Europa League match against VfB Stuttgart, Martin O’Neill made his displeasure known. Agbonlahor, however, pointed to the dramatic decline in the club’s fortunes over the past twelve months as the real context. Twelve months ago, Celtic were competing in the Champions League playoff round and generating the kind of electric atmosphere that makes Celtic Park one of the most intimidating venues in European football. The decision by the board not to reinvest adequately in the squad, in Agbonlahor’s view, is what has brought the club to its current state. He acknowledged that the players must also share responsibility for the Champions League exit against Kairat Almaty, but argued that failing to replace and strengthen the squad afterwards was a boardroom failure. Celtic supporters, he suggested, have ambitions that stretch well beyond winning the domestic title. They want European nights and the chance to compete at the top level of the continent again.
On the booing of Kasper Schmeichel during the Stuttgart match, Agbonlahor took a different stance. He does not believe it helps the player or the team, and felt the frustration being directed at the goalkeeper was really aimed elsewhere. Schmeichel has had a fine career and served Celtic well, but Agbonlahor was honest about the decline in his performances. He noted that the goalkeeper no longer appears able to get down to shots as he once did, whether through age or a loss of confidence, and that his recent displays have fallen short of the standard expected. O’Neill has continued to back his number one, and Agbonlahor understands why, given that the current alternative is not of sufficient quality to step in. His expectation, though, is that Celtic will move to sign a younger and better goalkeeper in the summer, with Schmeichel’s time as the club’s first choice likely drawing to a close.