Houdini impressionist and Celtic striker Carlton Cole has been involved in a war of words with several Celtic supporters after he was accused of being an ‘imposter’ and a ‘waste of a jersey’.
The former West Ham and England striker joined Celtic back in October after being released by West Ham in the summer, but he has failed to become a regular in the first team under manager Ronny Deila with Leigh Griffiths preferred up front.
Cole has managed just one start out of five appearances in all competitions this season – that coming against League One side Stranraer in the Scottish Cup, scoring his only goal for the Premiership side also.
His time at Celtic has been disrupted by taking a leave of absence to deal with a ‘personal matter’ recently and has been out injured since playing in former West Ham team-mate Mark Noble’s testimonial on the 28th March. He has not featured for Celtic since the 8-1 win over Hamilton Accies at Parkhead back in January, when he came on as a 65th minute substitute.
With Celtic fans angered following their side’s defeat to city rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup at the weekend, emotions are running high and Cole has faced the sharp end of the dagger.
Several fans, who have now protected their accounts, targeted the striker labelling him a waste of a wage and an imposter. To say the striker took offence to the comments is an understatement.
Take a look at some of Cole’s comments below:
@chief_cfc1 @kmccluskey11 I think you'll find you are an imposter acting as Celtic fan.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) April 19, 2016
@chief_cfc1 @kmccluskey11 I know you're frustrated.But I'm not to blame for your muggy life. Go out there and do better for yourself.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) April 19, 2016
@chief_cfc1 yes I can understand that. But what you see from the outside isn't always what is on the inside. Take care.
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) April 19, 2016
@billyamato I'm allowed to defend myself. There is nothing wrong with that
— Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1) April 19, 2016
With a year remaining on his contract and looking likely that he will be nothing more than a bench warmer at best, Cole’s time at Celtic may come to an end sooner rather than later with the news that manager Ronny Deila is set to leave the club at the end of the season.
At least the fans will be happy with the club freeing up his wages if he does depart in the summer for pastures new.
