JOHN HARTSON still backs Ange Postecoglou despite being six points off top spot.
However, the former Celtic striker is a big critic of Albian Ajeti, especially after his first-half miss against Dundee United at the weekend.
Currently sitting sixth, Hartson believes Ange Postecoglou needs time to work with his squad to turn results around.
Ange has a very specific game plan, which requires his team to press from the front. For Ange to be successful in this system he will also need some transfer windows to bring in payers that will suit the high-intensity football.
Speaking to Go Radio, as quoted by the Glasgow Times, Hartson said;
“For me, Ange Postecoglou has to get more time. It’s early in the season, we’ve not won away from home yet.
“He’ll know that and the biggest pressure is what he will be putting on himself. He’s an honest, straight-talking guy and he will know the results away from have not been there and not been good enough.”
Later in the interview, the Welshman criticises Celtic’s Swiss striker;
“When you pay £5million for Ajeti and he misses from three yards, what do you do about that? Ange didn’t bring him in and he’s the only fit striker. What do you do and what do you say?”
Hartson then shows some sympathy to academy graduate Adam Montgomery who is performing very well at the moment;
“The players are not performing to the level that they can do. You look at the bench, and Adam Montgomery is just a young lad who has come into the group, but he’s expected to come on and win games.”
Hartson finishes off by re-iterating the Aussie boss must be given the time to bring his own players to Glasgow in order to improve the squad.
“What does Ange do when a centre forward misses from three yards? Do you sack the manager? Do you start again? I think he needs another window.”
Things can only get better, on the whole Celtic are exciting to watch – results can’t be too far away. Ange postecoglou should be afforded time and it is simply embarrassing that he has been written off by people already.
