It’s a tough decision for a club and fans to make – should a player’s previous convictions prevent them from getting another chance? Celtic have reportedly offered Danny Simpson a trial, however some fans are furious about the message it sends out.
There’s no doubting Danny Simpson’s credentials as a player, he’s a Premier League winner and a solid player. Celtic need cover at right-back and The Sun has reported they have offered to bring the former Leicester man in for a trial next week.
The problem for Celtic fans is his past, where he was convicted in 2015 for assaulting his ex-girlfriend as reported by The BBC.
READ MORE: Celtic agree £1.6m fee for player who could complete their starting XI
It’s obviously a contentious issue, however it’s fair to say these supporters of the Glasgow club are furious that they are contemplating his signing:
I’m disgusted at the thought of Danny Simpson having a trial at Celtic. This would be a shameful, and unacceptable, decision that would send a strong message to female fans about the Club’s values. https://t.co/zoXM3j752K
— Ruth Boyle (@ruthboyler) July 18, 2019
@CelticFC I like many other supporters male and female are 100% against Danny Simpson being on trial at our club never mind the idea of him pulling on our famous green and white hoops. He is a wife beater.
— stephen redmond (@redie77) July 18, 2019
Danny Simpson should never darken Celtics door….are the board really that tightfisted with their money stuck in the biscuit tin mentality…many would be finished with Celtic if he got in
— louise stewart (@louisestewartLs) July 18, 2019
Danny Simpson should be nowhere near our club. I refuse to believe we have offered him a trial. Simpson is 32 and a scumbag. We let Lustig (1st choice intl and 16 trophies) walk out the door for free (also 32) Wise up #celtic #TransferNews
— Tighearnán McLaughli (@tighearnan1888) July 18, 2019
Celtic handing Danny Simpson a trial is shameful and sends fans terrible message
” You don’t accidentally choke a woman. You don’t accidentally straddle her with your hands around her neck.”
Spot on here from @Oldfirmfacts1 https://t.co/Q0KxHHNluD— John O’Connor (@johnnyoconn) July 18, 2019
It’s also worth noting that Rangers were in a similar situation last summer when they signed Jon Flanagan from Liverpool. As reported in The Guardian he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend last year.
Danny Simpson and jon flanagan walking out the tunnel on a Glasgow Derby. pic.twitter.com/M3cpLcMPwe
— donch67 (@donch67) July 17, 2019
It’s not clear at this point if Simpson is a serious transfer target for Neil Lennon or if it’s just a chance to look at him in training, but he would have to go a long way to win over the Celtic support.