SCOTTISH football may have its fair share of critics within our own borders, but woe betide anyone from the outside who takes a pop at our beloved game.
Whether you are an English shock jock or, indeed, the head coach of the Japan national team, any slight on the standard of our football will immediately be followed by the wrath of thousands coming down upon you.
When it comes to Hajime Moriyasu’s recent criticism of Scottish football, it is little wonder that the Celtic support took it personally, though. The Japan manager’s reasoning for again overlooking Celtic stars Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate could, after all, have consequences for the club as they plan ahead in their future careers.
That is perhaps why Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is so keen to welcome Moriyasu to Celtic Park when he embarks on his forthcoming European scouting tour, so that he can see for himself that the likes of Kyogo and Hatate are standing out due to their own ability, rather than the perceived mediocrity of the challenge before them.
"Hajime has been here before to visit us and we have had other staff from the Japan national team too,” Postecoglou said.
"There have been other coaches visit too, and I believe Jurgen Klinsmann [now head coach of South Korea] is planning a trip.
"There are no issues. I would be happy to see him. I know Hajime very well from my time over there and I would be happy to see him.
"We are a very welcoming club for everyone.”
There may be no issues from Postecoglou’s side towards Moriyasu, but his decision to leave Kyogo out of his World Cup squad and his continuing omission from the Samurai Blue call sheet is, he admits, a bone of contention for his striker.
The bad news for Scottish defences, who he has already smashed 26 goals past in all competitions this season, is that these snubs have lit an even bigger fire under him than was there before.
"Kyogo is always positive but don't be mistaken - he is a very ambitious and determined player,” Postecoglou said.
"You don't play in his position at that level if you don't have that.
"Kyogo is disappointed, there is no doubt about that. He wants to be part of the Japan national team and he feels he can make an impact.
"At the same time, he uses that as motivation. He doesn't let himself get down or allow his mood to change because of that.
"He wants to perform for Celtic, score goals and excite our supporters. He feels if he does that then it's his best chance of getting back in.
"Kyogo has a great outlook on life, he is a nice guy and a gentle soul. He is always smiling and gets along with everyone.
"But don't let that fool you. He has that determination and will do everything he can to do that.”
One man who is getting along a little better with the manager of his international side is South Korea’s Oh Hyeon-gyu, who followed up his impressive start to life at Celtic by showing up well for Klinsmann’s side in two substitute appearances against Colombia and Uruguay over the past week.
Postecoglou was pleased to get the glowing reports back on his new striker, believing the experience will help the 21-year-old’s progress.
"The reports on Oh was that he did very well in both of his games and really made an impact off the bench,” he said.
"That is great for his development.
"This is the first time he has had to do that trip from Scotland to South Korea and it's no easy one. I know myself that going back to Asia and coming back takes it out of you.
"Oh arrived back on Thursday and came back to Lennoxtown to blow the cobwebs off straight away.
"But that was a great experience for him as he will be a key part of the South Korea team moving forward.
"On a personal level, coping with the travel and all that entails will be great for his growth.
"He has come back looking bright and it will be good to get him back among us.
"[Klinsmann] will be [good for him] but in general, international football is good for the progress of players. It tests you in different ways and Oh playing against top defenders will only help him,
"South Korea have a new coaching set-up as well and he will learn a lot off of them. But international football is great for any young player as it exposes them to different things than the club game.
"He will also become stronger from a mentality side.”
Postecoglou has no concerns about the mentality of his Celtic team as they gear up for the final push towards what very well could be a domestic Treble with a trip to Ross County tomorrow.
"We knew we had that mid-section of the season from the end of the World Cup up to the first international break,” he said.
"We really felt we could take our football to another level and put ourselves in a good position going into the final stretch.
"We did that. Our results were outstanding but so was our football and we scored a lot of goals.
"We wanted to get through that period and build a strong foundation. Now it's about the final push.
"There are significant games to play in the league and we also have the cup semi-final.
"There is plenty to look forward to and the players just want to finish the season strongly and see where it takes us.”
Hatate and Aaron Mooy will train today before a decision is made on their potential involvement in the match, while James Forrest, Liel Abada and Anthony Ralston are all out injured.
Daizen Maeda, Greg Taylor and Cameron Carter-Vickers are all fit despite missing international duty with their respective countries.
