Gordon Strachan's departure from Celtic didn't come as a great surprise. He has looked like a man who knew he was going, regardless of the title outcome.
Strachan was never wholly accepted by many Celtic fans despite his terrific record. I don't think that had much to do with the fact that he played for Aberdeen and had no Celtic connections. Every Celtic fan I ever met never mentioned that. They just didn't like his attitude.
As I've said before, that's the way he is and he ain't for changing. I wouldn't like to be the one to suggest to him that he should!
Gordon remains the only manager ever to ring me up and have a right old pop about something I'd said during a commentary. Most managers couldn't care less what commentators say because they probably think we don't know what we're talking about - and they may have a point! Anyway in this instance I had suggested that Tony Mowbray's Hibs side at the time were playing Strachan's team off the park and it's not often Celtic are put in their place.
His response showed his passion and I quite like that side of him. We had a good old argument which I suspect we both quite enjoyed.
Strachan took over at a difficult time financially and had to rebuild from the Martin O'Neill era. Sure there were a few downs along the way, as with any manager, but there were far more ups. Three successive titles, a few cups and, until this season, Champions League progress. There were some fantastic European nights under Strachan.
His players weren't as good as O'Neill's but he got everything out of them and more. There were some baffling decisions along the way of course. McGeady left out of that Old Firm game for a guy who's only game in five months had been against Queens Park?! Come on.
TV showed pictures this week of Strachan when he was appointed four years ago, looking fresh faced and healthy, like a wee boy! Four years as an Old Firm manager is probably enough! And whatever is next for Gordon will be a piece of cake in comparison!
He certainly deserves a decent job in England - and nobody can argue with that!