Dundee FC Boss Tony Docherty Labelled a ‘Cry Baby’ and ‘Deluded’ for Comments After Celtic Defeat
Dundee FC manager Tony Docherty has found himself at the center of controversy following his side’s 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic. His post-match comments, in which he criticized refereeing decisions and appeared to suggest that key moments went against his team unfairly, have not gone down well with many football fans and pundits. Some have labeled him a “cry baby” and “deluded”, arguing that he should take responsibility for the defeat rather than blaming officials.
Docherty’s Complaints: What Did He Say?
Speaking after the heavy loss, Docherty was visibly frustrated with certain refereeing decisions, particularly a first-half penalty awarded to Celtic after a VAR review. The penalty, given for a foul on Auston Trusty, was converted by Arne Engels, putting Celtic 1-0 up early in the match. Docherty insisted that it was a “soft” call and pointed out that “not a single Celtic player even appealed for it.”
“It’s an incredibly frustrating moment for us. There was no appeal from Celtic players, yet VAR got involved and gave it. These things change games, and we were on the wrong end of it.”
Docherty also felt that his team should have been level at halftime, arguing that another goal Celtic scored should have been disallowed due to an earlier foul on his player Mo Sylla.
“We should have gone in at 0-0, but again, there was a foul in the buildup to their second goal. We didn’t get the decision, and that’s frustrating.”
Despite acknowledging that Dundee lost focus in the second half, Docherty seemed to suggest that the officials’ decisions played a role in his team’s downfall, a stance that did not sit well with many.
Backlash: Fans and Pundits Call Out Docherty’s Excuses
Following his comments, many Celtic fans and football analysts criticized Docherty for failing to accept the reality of the defeat. While officiating decisions are often debated, many believe that Dundee’s 6-0 loss was not due to refereeing but rather their poor defensive display and Celtic’s dominant performance.
Fans React:
• Celtic fans were particularly vocal, with one saying:
“He’s making a fool of himself. His team got hammered 6-0, and he’s talking about a ‘soft penalty’ like it changed the game. Get a grip, mate.”
• Another wrote on social media:
“Typical excuse-making. Instead of admitting Celtic were miles ahead, he’s crying about decisions that didn’t even affect the result. That’s why people are calling him a ‘cry baby.’”
• A neutral fan weighed in, saying:
“Managers have to stop blaming referees every time they lose. 6-0 isn’t a ‘VAR problem’—it’s a ‘your team was nowhere near good enough’ problem.”
Pundits Weigh In:
Football analysts also called out Docherty’s comments, with some pointing out that his Dundee side had only 30% possession and managed just one shot on target throughout the entire match.
• A former Scottish Premiership player remarked on TV:
“Look, I get it, emotions run high after a game. But Tony Docherty isn’t doing himself any favors by blaming the referee for a 6-0 defeat. Celtic were miles better, simple as that.”
• A well-known Scottish football journalist added:
“If you lose 6-0, the last thing you should be doing is looking for excuses. Accept the defeat, move on, and focus on fixing your team’s problems.”
Docherty’s Defenders: Some See His Point
Not everyone was against Docherty. Some Dundee FC supporters and neutral observers felt he had a right to question the refereeing—even if it didn’t change the outcome of the game.
• A Dundee fan defended their manager, saying:
“Yeah, we got battered, but Tony is right to call out bad decisions. If a penalty is wrongly given, it should be discussed, no matter what the score is.”
• Another argued:
“Just because we lost heavily doesn’t mean the referee was right. A bad decision is a bad decision, regardless of the final score.”
What’s Next for Docherty and Dundee?
While the 6-0 defeat was a tough pill to swallow, Dundee FC and Tony Docherty will need to quickly move on and shift their focus to upcoming matches. The Scottish Premiership is a long season, and if they dwell too much on this result, it could affect their performances in the coming weeks.
For Docherty, this controversy could serve as a learning experience. While it’s normal for managers to feel frustration after a loss, choosing when and how to express that frustration is crucial. Instead of focusing on refereeing decisions, he may need to concentrate on improving his team’s performances and ensuring they don’t suffer similar heavy defeats in the future.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Accepting Defeat
Tony Docherty’s reaction to Dundee FC’s 6-0 loss to Celtic has put him under unwanted scrutiny, with many labeling him a “cry baby” and “deluded” for blaming refereeing decisions instead of addressing his team’s shortcomings. While some supporters agree with his concerns about the officiating, the majority opinion is that a six-goal defeat is not the result of bad refereeing but rather poor performance.
Moving forward, Docherty will need to show that he can handle setbacks more constructively. Football is full of highs and lows, and how managers respond to adversity often defines their careers. Whether he learns from this experience or continues to make excuses remains to be seen.
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