Arsenal legend Ian Wright has blasted Mark Viduka’s behaviour the night Celtic were beaten by Inverness CT. The defeat, which marked the end of John Barnes’ reign as Celtic manager, resulted in an infamous headline such was the gravity of the upset.
Wright, who replaced Viduka at half time, spoke about the incident and called Viduka’s behaviour disgusting. The Australian reportedly clashing with Eric Black, Barnes’ Assistant, and refused to play.
Mark Viduka’s refusal to play in the second half of the ICT cup tie remains one of the most unprofessional acts ever by a Celtic player? pic.twitter.com/03E0ctqZMZ
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) May 10, 2023
Following Barnes’ departure, Viduka helped the Celts to a League Cup success before departing for Leeds United in the summer of 2000. Martin O’Neill said in his recent autobiography that he would’ve liked the striker to stay but he was set on a move to England. This allowed the Celts to move for Chris Sutton, a former Premier League winner, who had fallen out of favour at Chelsea.
Wrighty moved from West Ham to Celtic but couldn’t capture the stunning form that made him a legend at Highbury. The ex-England Internationalist left for Burnley, making ten appearances and scoring three goals.
Celtic face Inverness CT in the Scottish Cup Final on June 3rd with Ange Postecoglou’s side chasing a Treble.
Always like Ian Wright never speaks I’ll
Of Celtic he just wished he was younger
To enjoy club
Viduka also went walkabout when we first signed him and missed beginning of the season and then rumoured to have said only played to 70 percent because thats all it needed at Celtic. One player we never missed the day he walked out the front door
Mark Viduka? Spell his surname backwards and it says “A kud iv!” Unforgiveable!
Careful now hes Ange’s mate .
Viduka was similar to Edouard .. if they were in the mood they were unplayable, .. just that they were/are never in the mood enough & look lazy the rest of the time. Always remember that Viduka at Leeds would be superb .. just as his contract was about to run out, he would get renewed terms .. then drop back to mediocrity.