Ange Postecoglou might be delighted with the appointment of Peter Lawwell as Celtic chairman but it seems not all fans of the champions support the move. Some see the 63-year-old taking up the position at Parkhead as a backwards step for the club he served so well as chief executive during a trophy-laden spell spanning almost two decades.
Lawwell will succeed Ian Bankier when he steps down at the end of the year but is the Hoops supremo the man to lead Celtic forward in 2023? Not according to David Bryce, Troon, who said: “The appointment of Peter Lawwell as chairman of Celtic is a shocker. The man took us miles back the way yet he’s been allowed back in. We need new leadership at the top at Celtic. Dermot Desmond has also been there too long. There are no fresh ideas. Spare me the lifelong fan nonsense. Lawwell is a terrible appointment. He should be nowhere near the club.”
The new Celtic chairman can bank on his wealth of European football contacts which former striker Chris Sutton, writing in his Record Sport column, insists will be a huge benefit to the Scottish Premiership champions. Across the city, there was another key appointment as Michael Beale succeeded Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the Englishman wants to maintain maintain certain traditions at the Ibrox club - including players being suited and booted on match days.
Lance Little, Erskine, said: “So Michael Beale’s plan to get back to the top of the league is to get the players to wear suits and brown brogues. I see Mr Ferguson saying this is what the club is all about. Celtic must be shaking in their top of the range football boots. Rangers fans keep saying he was the tactical genius behind their one title win. How do they or anyone else know that. Plus, Celtic were a shambles at the time. Once again they are being fed a line from the club about how good things are.”
Jason McLaughlin, Greenock, said: “Michael Beale was described by one caller as someone who ‘experienced successful runs in Europe and a historic title win’. Did the previous manager that they have just sacked not have the same credentials, with the added pedigree of a sterling player career. Great method of recruitment, keep up the good work.”
Japan’s controversial winner against Spain caused quite a debate on Thursday might after the ball appeared to be over the line before Kaoru Mitoma crossed for Ao Tanaka to score. Graeme Souness demanded to see the image that VAR used to rule the ball was in but it didn’t appear until long after full-time and even then some weren’t convinced.
Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said: “I agree with Graeme Souness over Japan’s winning goal against Spain - the ball was out before the cross was delivered. It took a whole day to produce the photo saying it was in but we all know how photos can be ‘altered’. Personally, I think this was done to punish Germany for the hands over the mouth photo.”
John Bruce emailed: “After a few months of watching disjointed team performances and lacklustre individual performances, Rangers fans are naturally hopeful of better things to come under Michael Beale, who helped bring title number 55. Soundbites like 'we have to win 56' may get the juices flowing again, but we know that there is much work to be done. However, leagues are never won in January. But they can be lost.”
Finally, new rules that ban players from heading the ball on the day before and after matches in training have been hailed. Lewis Doyle, Tipperary, said: “It’s great that Scotland again are leading the way in football welfare. It can't be stressed enough that our children's future health with regards brain damage due to heading the ball is being lead by Scotland. The game is called football and that's how it should be played with our feet. The days of managers and coaches telling players to just punt long balls up the park should not be encouraged.
“If this move by the Scottish authorities reduces these cases of brain damage surely it must be a good thing. Chris Sutton said the other day he would be worried about how this would be monitored at clubs but surely that's the responsibility of all owners to ensure that clubs comply.
"Another positive aspect from this ground breaking initiative will be the technical skills of players will then improve, thus raising our national game. Thankfully you don't hear of south American footballers suffering the same fate as our players which is a good thing. We must be aware that more and more young women are being encouraged to take up the game so we must protect them. So well done Scotland - let's keep our children safe and those who retire from the game live in the knowledge that they will live healthy lives.”
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