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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Chris Sutton defends Mark Lawwell from 'fashionable' Celtic fan criticism

Celtic hero Chris Sutton has defended the club's head of recruitment Mark Lawwell from "fashionable" fan criticism.

There has been criticism of the Parkhead side's summer transfer window by some supporters in terms of the players brought in.

However, Sutton has pointed to Lawwell, who is the son of the current Celtic chairman, playing a role in the signing of successes under Ange Postecoglou as reason why some criticism has been unfair.

Writing in his Daily Record column, he said: "During Brenda  Rodgers’ first reign he rubber stamped deals for the likes of Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair, who were huge success stories.

"There were others – like the lesser spotted Marvin Compper – who were not quite as successful but by that stage it was recruitment chief Lee Congerton who was copping much of the flak.

"You can’t have it both ways. It was similar with Ange Postecoglou. He used his knowledge of the Japanese market to land Kyogo, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda.

"It’s fashionable among some fans to have a go at Mark Lawwell as they will go against any Lawwell being involved.

"But this is the same Mark Lawwell who was either directly or indirectly involved in a lot of transfer actively over the years – including the recruitment of Postecoglou himself.

"Signing players involves a lot of different people but it’s the manager who carries the can. With fans, whether they are any good can be black or white.

"But at least now there are no grey areas over who is in charge."

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