Hoops add fuel to fire in jerry can of excuses

IT was known as ‘Statement O’clock’ during some of the wackier Rangers years.

- By Michael Gannon

The then-Ibrox chiefs would release some bonkers statement late on a Friday that would have fans choking on carry-outs.

Now it’s Celtic’s turn to hit the send button at strange times, with Saturday evening’s 1029-word Al-inspired opus a cracker.

Under-siege Parkhead bosses gave it the green light during Casualty on BBC One — apt given the response was like one of those chaotic episodes of the long-running drama where a helicopter crashes into an old folks’ home or the like.

It, however, felt more like a scene from Blackadder Goes Forth, with General Melchett pacing his office while preparing the latest suicide mission. ‘Take this down, Darling...”

Celtic fans wanted answers but this wasn’t it. They craved clarity of the club’s ambitions but none of that was there either.

It could have been so simple — a cosy chat with chief executive Michael Nicholson and the club media to admit mistakes were made in the transfer window.

He could have added it was all with Celtic’s best interests in mind and they’d make sure to be better prepared for Champions League football next time. Hands up. Let’s be friends again.

It might not have washed — but it wouldn’t have launched a jerry can of petrol into an already-smouldering bin fire.

Going on the offensive has merely offended and further angered a disgruntled support.