IAN WRIGHT OFF
The situation that Kenny Dalglish has found himself in at Celtic is somewhat different from the usual shenanigans of the managerial merry-go-round.
Dalglish was already employed at the club in the position of Director of Football, meaning that he probably had some say in who was brought to the club. So it is all the more surprising that, just five days into his enforced managerial tenure, Dalglish has started to wield the axe.
And his first casualty has been one of John Barnes` highest profile signings - Ian Wright. The ex-Arsenal legend has been cited as one of the major protagonists of the dressing room unrest that has emanated from Celtic Park. Signed as a short-term replacement for the injured Henrik Larsson, Wright`s inflated wage packet and his inflated ego, have allegedly rubbed the other players up the wrong way.
With established first team players such as Mark Viduka performing on the park, Wright`s main performances in a Celtic shirt came off of the park. The Englishman hit just three goals since his arrival and his goals to shots ratio of 18 per cent is easily the worst of the Celtic strike-force. And, to compound matters, Wright has only hit the target with 36 per cent of his shots, once again leaving him trailing in the wake of his attacking team-mates. When you consider that Viduka hits the target with 63 per cent of his shots and Mark Burchill has a 60 per cent shooting accuracy, Wright`s efforts do not reflect his talent or reputation.
However, it is not just in front of goal that the volatile striker has failed to click. During his 391 minutes of league action, Wright has attempted 83 passes, completing just 66 per cent of them. This total is, once again, the worst out of the Celtic front men and gives credence to the fans` displeasure.
But, perhaps the biggest factor in Wright`s hasty departure from `Paradise`, has been his disciplinary problems. The red card that he picked up for his tunnel bust-up with Kilmarnock`s Jim Lauchlan has led him to be hauled before the SFA on misconduct charges. With a lengthy suspension hanging over him - coupled with the speedy recovery of Larsson - Wright`s position at Celtic has become tenuous. The speed of his departure shows common sense by the Celtic management who have responded to the fans` calls to act swiftly following the John Barnes debacle.
With rumours that Scotland`s second choice keeper Jonathon Gould is on his way out, sweeping changes are definitely in the offing at Celtic Park.
Simon Fisher
