When you’re shopping in a sellers’ market, agility is the only way to survive. You need contacts, sufficient coverage to trawl outlying corners of the bazar, and enough experience to ensure you don’t get burned.
If you’re trying to buy Champions League-calibre players for £100k you’re shopping in a serious sellers’ market but there is good strategy behind the deal Celtic have struck with Icelandic club, Fram, for the signature of 20-year-old striker, Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson.
Holmbert may or may not be the next Ibrahimavic, experience suggests you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs in this game to find the one you’re looking for, but if Celtic are to bring a player to Glasgow who is capable of hitting the top, we’ll have to get him before the hundred-or-so other clubs floating around the wealthy leagues of Europe, which means we shop early.
We can afford to sign a few at £100k in an effort to fill just one place in the team. The argument could also be made that our more expensive players have only a marginally higher success rate than those signed for six figures or less.
Thanks for the big response to the launch of the second edition of the CQN Annual [which is now shipping]yesterday, as well as CQN Magazine, and the ‘10’ event, which the occupants of the comments section are being given a head start on.
If you are on or near South Uist tomorrow make sure you take in the Hebridean cultural event of the year, when Alex O’Henley has a book signing of his biography of Celtic great, Malky MacDonald at the Dark Island Hotel from 1-2pm, before a Q&A at the Polochar Inn, from 7-8:30pm.
Not only does the book chart the life and achievements of a pre-war Celtic great, it does so in two languages (English when read one way, flip the other way for Gaelic). It’s a great work, available from the Islands Book Trust.
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Order your CQN Annual here:
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BT, I’m driving down and will probably try to get an early check in at my hotel (not in fun city centre).
Morrissey mentioned some were meeting at the LR csc so just wanted to check if that was accurate.
Catch you tomorrow.
HH
P.S. don’t let the auld yin drink wine before the agm or he’ll be slabberin all over big Peter.
BT
you heading into the Beer Cafe on Sat?
Che.
Working unfortunately. .
Rangers podcaster arrested over offensive remarks at Journalist …
http://www.scotzine.com/…/rangers-podcaster-arrested-over-offensive-remarks..
Interesting piece.
Europe’s top football clubs are locked in a
never-ending hunt for the best talent, and go
to enormous lengths to eliminate from their
search the players who won’t make a
difference, one of Chelsea’s former top
executives says.
“In elite sport, and
particular team sports,
there is a 365 day a year
search for talent,”
explains Mike Forde, who was Director of
Football Operations at Stamford Bridge from
August 2007 to June 2013.
“In the top 36 football leagues in Europe there
are 534 teams and over 13,000 players. For
the top five to eight teams in Europe, 99.9% of
their recruitment process is about who they
don’t sign.”
Forde will reveal some of the secrets behind
Chelsea’s rise as one of the most successful
and famous clubs in world football when he
addresses The Leadership and Talent Forum,
presented by KJO, taking place from 27-28
November at The Address Hotel, Dubai Marina.
He says: “The assessment model to find that
0.1% that will ‘move the needle’ is a
combination of qualitative scouting and
observation combined with detailed and
drilled down performance analytics on which
players make the biggest contribution to
winning. Sport lends itself to detailed and
effective assessment of talent.”
During his six years at Chelsea, Forde dealt
with all areas of performance and team
operations, including player recruitment and
performance analysis, for Jose Mourinho,
Carlo Ancelotti, and Luiz Scolari; this tenure
coincided with the most successful era in the
club’s history where they won the UEFA
Champions League, UEFA Europa League, a
Premier League title, and three FA Cups.
Of the 2012 Champions League triumph, when
Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in a penalty
shoot-out, Forde said: “The final was only 120
minutes, but represented nearly a decade of
hard work and focus to achieve a specific
goal. This is a great story for anyone who
wants to achieve the highest level of
performance.”
Ford’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading
sports executives makes him a big attraction
at The Leadership and Talent Forum, where he
will address some of the world’s leading
business and leadership thinkers, as well as
top-performing pioneers in developing leaders
and fostering talent in the GCC.
Presented by Al Khafji Joint Operations (KJO),
a joint operation between the national oil and
gas companies of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait,
the event is an exclusive and invitation-only
open forum to reflect on the global trends in
leadership and talent development and a
platform to discuss critical leadership and
people issues for businesses in the GCC.
Forde says the best business leaders, like the
most successful football club managers, face
the same challenges in the pursuit of success.
“In a talent economy like we live in, the
hardest task of a leader is to know when and
how to release their talent onto the highest
stage,” he explains. “In football at the highest
level, for example, the pressure to win every
game is relentless. This is the operational
norm of the environment.
“The key is to find the right balance between
‘individual skill level and environment
challenge’. The best talent wants a stage to
perform on and the smart businesses and
teams understand how to create this without
compromising the integrity of the
organisation. As a leader, if you focus
consistently on creating the right challenge
along with rewarding and recognising people’s
achievements, then retention and development
will take care of itself.”
Che (Standing Beside Wee Oscar) 19:29:
You still coming?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Just in fae work,gaun tae ma cot.
But I see we are still having arguments about Tony Watt.
Well,it’s a blog…..
Just glad I didnae get cut loose because of what I was like at 19.
In a nutshell,I behaved like a 19 year old. And I wish I still could!
@gscbhoy Alex McDonald ragin hun.
the nearest he gets to dignity is wearin a tie.
I played under Ralph Brand early 70’s when he was manager of Darlington
and he rated McDonald on the no touch list.
I hope the barsteward is hurtin.
Bmcuw.
With hindsight I’d have preferred to play for Celtic than act like a 19 year old. His chance is slipping away.
acgr supporting resolutions 10, 11 & 12 with a yes vote
19:23 on 14 November, 2013
It really is straightforward, but not to those who will not ‘see’….. HH……and, yes, it is SO heart-warming….
@Bobby afore ye sleep
When I stick on Disraeli Gears in ma heid im 16.
H.H.
Alasdair Maclean & Robert Tressell
Sorry for that QE2 reference. You are, of course, correct.
I am a republican too but she is the dignatory opening a major event at our stadium which will bring world wide attention to our club. So ironic!
BTW, it’s not often I get the chance to address two distinguished authors together.
Re Tony Watt
We don’t know the facts surrounding this affair. We are perhaps jumping to an unfair judgement on Tony. I just hope he fulfills his undoubted potential, preferably in a Celtic shirt.
oldtim:
If your lurking, tried to return your call but going straight to voicemail, call me when you can
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lennybhoy.
Remind him to pack his medication if u get him tonight
Good evening all.
Can anyone post a link to Big Nan’s appearance in Edinburgh a couple of days ago?
UEFA do not allow new clubs to enter their competitions until they have 3 years audited accounts – sevco, because they are a new club, don’t have 3 years audited accounts, which means they can’t take part in UEFA competitions at present.
……………………………..
auldheid will correct you on that ….but the jist of whit yer saying is …..braw…”red is the rose that in yonder garden grows”…really braw
Oh and apologies for hogging the blog but is tonight’s Scotland U21 game (with a splattering of Celts) on TV?
Lennybhoy
all being well, on meds for chest infection so may be a few soft drinks for me.
that being said.
alasdair maclean
16:43 on 14 November, 2013
Maybe someone could take the opportunity to ask her why she didn’t knight Jock Stein.
——————————
The Battle of Montevideo.
Last year, the Queen in Dublin.
Next year, the Queen in Celtic Park.
…….and, a Jesuit in the Vatican.
Interesting times, my friends.
The Leadership and Talent Forum
The World’s leading business and sport organisations have a conference to exchange ideas on how to recruit the very best. The Scottish delegate could tell them how easy it is. “Nae Tims!”
Is there a bit of mischief making going on at KDS?
Moderator on there suggesting the resolution could be withdrawn.
Where is he getting that from?
Tricoloured ribbon
Canamalar was a wee bit cryptic last night.
thomthethim
Aye, Tom, the Queen lays a wreath to honour men that we get arrested for singing about.
gherrybhoy57
It’s a Topsy- Turvy world, all right.
Or do I mean a Tufty world, in old Scotia?
Could someone re-post the fanzine article about the RFC failure to attend to Ibrox pre the disaster and the FAI criticism of it.
Does anyone still use film. I have 4 rolls which expire Nov13/Jan14, free to a good home.
Thanks
No moonhowling for me tonight as I’m up early tomorrow to drive to fun city.
Before I go can someone tell me, where is the Pheonix Bar? Looking on google maps shows it in the city, Morrissey posted that it’s in the gallowgate?.
Dazed and confused……………….
Fanx
ACGR
next door to Bar 67 across from the Barras
Wiz cauld tonite so stuck ma Crombie on.
Emdae still got their Crombie? Ben Sherman shirts, Terry brogues?
Bowlin shoes, Stud for collars, hipsters? levi Staypress DM’s
green suit? patch pockets, single vent ,double vent, EL.D?
stichin roon the collar? LAMBRETTA INNOCENTI 175. VS 9814 REG.
JUST ASKINCSC.
CQN Predictors, if you haven’t put your predictions in as yet, it’s time to get them in now.
It’s a European week, so they count for two competitions!
Che, thanks. Looking forward to seeing the great Billy Nowell tomorrow.
HH
Had to laugh when I read today that Bob Dylan had been awarded the highest awrd in France, the Legion of Honour.
By all accounts, Bob looked slightly embarrassed at the ceremony, wondering what it was all about.
Bob can hardly speak a word in French, has never written a song in French, or even remotely alluded to anything French in any of his songs.
It’s a bit like making a tribute statue to someone who couldnae play fitba, never played a decent game of fitba, or even remotely came close to enhancing the beautiful game in any match he played.
Oh, wait a mnute… oh, la la …
Monsieur Dylan est maintainant asking a question toot sweet: “Ou est mon wreath comme le Capitaine Sang ?”.
The answer, my friend…
;o
Sixtae
@CANAMALAR.
whatever anyone says you took it to the limit bro.
@Bt im goin home tonite and telling my good wife im cryptic.
Drambowiecelt Emdae still got their Crombie?
………………
Aye, BMCUWP’s da has one wi deep poakits full of top notch pyro. The auld Green Briga dier that he is.
Hotshot- this the link but no worky at the moment
http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/Rangers+-+Falling+Masonry
sixtaeseven
20:08 on 14 November, 2013
He did write this though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmmCSOpPzZc
Going to see Bob next Monday.
Then I can finally cross that one off my ole Bucket List
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family 19:42 :
I will, he was telling me earlier the amount of stuff he’s taking, he’ll be taking over Boots…:)
Che (Standing Beside Wee Oscar) 19:48:
Good man. Somebody e-mail me tonight but didn’t say what his moniker was.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!