Carlton Cole Criticizes Celtic’s Medical Division During Ronny Deila Era

Carlton Cole, a former striker for Celtic, has voiced criticism regarding his time at the club, revealing internal challenges that he believes contributed to his underwhelming performance. Cole, who joined Celtic on a short-term contract in 2015, managed only a limited number of appearances before his release, influenced by persistent injury issues.

In remarks to the media, Cole stated, “From the outside at the time, Celtic looked like a massive club but when you go in and see it, it was a little bit Mickey Mouse. It wasn’t great.” The player elaborated on his dissatisfaction with the club’s medical structure, which he perceived as disjointed and divided.

The former Chelsea, Aston Villa, and West Ham United player explained, “For me, the medical team was essential to keep me going and keep me fit. But there were two – it was divided. There was the old faithful, the Scottish medical team, and there was the Norwegian medical team as well. They couldn’t really agree, the two medical teams.”

Cole admitted that this internal division required players to “pick a side,” which he described as “really weird.” He emphasized that a lack of cohesion in the medical department was just one of the factors that hindered his performance. “I wasn’t looked after the way I thought I should have been,” Cole said, noting the contrast from his nearly decade-long stint at West Ham United.

While Cole’s criticism highlights issues during Ronny Deila’s managerial period, it also reflects personal challenges he faced, including adapting to new pressures and injuries. Despite these difficulties, he acknowledged the club’s intentions by remarking positively on Celtic’s stature and support.

At the time, Cole was brought in to bolster the forward line alongside Leigh Griffiths and Nadir Çiftçi, following a season where his scoring record at West Ham had declined with only 11 goals in his last three seasons there. His stint at Celtic saw him score just once before leaving the team, regrettably marking the end of his professional goal-scoring career.