You remember the days we used to bang on about Asset Management? The Martin O’Neill was glorious but that team left with barely a dowry. Great players were kept on ever-increasing wages, some until they could scarcely run the length of themselves. Tales of John Hartson’s bleep test live in the memory!
This was unquestionable folly. Celtic lost money each season under Martin (and Gordon Strachan), debt rose ever-higher, while the background noise was an incessant call to spend more money. The early days of CQN saw demands to show the kind of ambition Sir David Murray did at Rangers, or for Dermot Desmond to donate cash, by some who had confused Celtic’s charitable ethos with being a charity case.
A successful trading strategy is crucial for any club to achieve its potential. Keep them on wages you can afford and sell them to a wealthier market when you cannot get them to extend their contract.
All of those great goals from Stuart Armstrong, the Cup Final equaliser, all those trophies he won, cost the club zero. Absolutely nothing. His transfer fee to Dundee United and entire wage bill was more than covered by the fee from Southampton. In fact, we made a profit, which is available for us to kick on with.
There were two alternatives:
Let him leave without compensation next year. Celtic would be busy looking for a replacement as Stuart’s agent would be shopping him around. And there would be no money to reinvest.
Or, break the wage structure to match what he can get in England. And even then, he might still fancy a the chance in England. There are some players worth breaking the wage structure for, but with all due respect to Stuart, you can only do it for an unequivocal first choice.
More important than the money, Celtic cannot stagnate. There are lots of reasons to feel good about our general domestic brilliance, but your football club regards itself as a Champions League operation. On that front, we have plenty of room for improvement.
Just as there are limits to our wage bill, there are practical limits to the squad size. We need to churn those on the fringes and try to replace them with players who will become un-droppable.
Best of luck at our benefactor-by-the-sea, Stuart. I hope you are a huge success.
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IMO as for J.McG he would not improve us , if he signs he will soon become the boo boys target , he has reached his level at hibs .
ESTORILBHOY
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to explain that to me. Much appreciated. It would be good if the Mods took time to do the same.
Just seeing Saidy Janko has signed for Porto one year after leaving us. WTF.
Ron 67…has John McGinn offended you in some way ? You seem to have it in for the boy for some unknown reason. Scott Brown described him as his toughest opponent in the SPL but you obviously know better…strange that.
I’m just catching up & saw this article about AC Milan getting banned from Europe for a year for breaching the FFP rules. Apologies if others have highlighted it.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44599326
Can’t help wondering if the club would have been banned in this way of it had still been owned by Berlusconi.
Anyway, this news may help focus the attention of those sitting on a nearby tribunal panel.
………..
As for Southampton, they know what a good job Celtic do with their players and that’s why they keep coming back to do business with us. As much as we’ve made a profit from those transactions, Southampton too have been heavy net winners too. Wanyama, Virgil both sold on for bigger money.
Celtic’s professionalism & nurturing & protection of player assets means that Southampton get value for money – in their opinion – buying from us.
Southampton see us as a rich source of quality player assets which they sign & in turn develop & expose to a wider EPL market, then cashing in to generate the income they need for their own operation.
It’s fair to say that they may regard Celtic as their benefactor on the Clyde.
The Celtic continuum of signing players that fit the profile of Virgil, Victor & Stuart continues to roll.
Players that we might be interested in coming to us know that Celtic are professional, will develop them, allow them to move on when the time is right, help them raise their profile, win them trophies & add a real notch to their career belt. Oh they’ll be well paid and play in front of great fans & likely enjoy some of the best days & nights of their lives.
But knowing of the successful track record of these types of transactions & the subsequent success of these ex Celts will encourages them even more.
HH
Well, it looks like nae trophy stripping
so, jist destroy thum wi trebles is the answer.
Hmmmm.
Saw a wee clip of Brendan on the late STV news, and he seems to have the eye of the tiger look aboot him.
Ah liked it ;
If John McGinn isny signed, ah hope that the Ebouie fella gets a lot more games, and folk are gonnae have to realize that Broony canny play every week, nobody can.
Gerry McCullogh from Celtic TV, looks the part.
Before any of the auld wifey nicker twisters ask how I saw the game last night, let’s jist say that, ah know a ghuy.
WEEBAWBABITTY, wherever you are in the world, and ye fair get aboot, ah hope that you and yours are grand Amigo HH.
Anywye……..Oot.
Zzzzzzzzzz
JOHN51 on 28TH JUNE 2018 1:16 AM
__________
Guid post fella HH
Oot.
Zzzzzzzzzz
Lucky b@ stard
Holiday
Seton Sands
Accompanying staff
McLennan
Gillespie
Stewart
Farmer
Smith
Nicholson
Females 4
Male 2
Kids 24
Female 14
Male 10
About 1983
Lucky B@stard
My bro
Broke his collarbone
Oh
You’ll miss yet holiday
Thank feck
The staff of Ann st
5 8hour shifts
To
24 7
2 weeks
Led by Nicholson
You do the math
Morning, met couple of Sweden supporters here in Greece last night , some had the KOK image on t shirts they love him also they love our very own PC Lustig, however don’t think they could understand when I Tried to explain , funny enough nor could the better half ??
KEVJUNGLE on 28th June 2018 1:19 am
Well, it looks like nae trophy stripping
so, jist destroy thum wi trebles is the answer.
Hmmmm.
Saw a wee clip of Brendan on the late STV news, and he seems to have the eye of the tiger look aboot him.
Ah liked it ;
If John McGinn isny signed, ah hope that the Ebouie fella gets a lot more games, and folk are gonnae have to realize that Broony canny play every week, nobody can.
Gerry McCullogh from Celtic TV, looks the part.
Before any of the auld wifey nicker twisters ask how I saw the game last night, let’s jist say that, ah know a ghuy.
WEEBAWBABITTY, wherever you are in the world, and ye fair get aboot, ah hope that you and yours are grand Amigo HH.
Anywye……..Oot.
Zzzzzzzzzz
……………………………………………………….
Thats Good to know. I am hoping for a much better Season. ;)
EK getting a run out more often will give the Broonie much needed rest time as he gets older. Broonie just owns the place but olde Father Time is on his case.
Celtic Tiger
Kevj, I know I am bee lucky to get to go on a few holidays a year mate , no to bad for a dunce! Fae St. John ogilvie high , hope you Patrica and wee ped are good HH
oh what a beautiful morning.
Oh what a beautiful day.
onemoresleepCSC
Morning all.
Gerryfaethebrig, from last night.
World Cup winners, Brazil won in 2002 then qualified from group stages in 2006, but apart from them, 4 of the last 5 winners have failed to qualify from the group stages as holders.
Germany winners 2014/ out group stages 2018
Spain winners 2010/ out group stages 2014
Italy winners 2006/ out group stages 2010
France winners 1998 / out group stages 2002
Hail Hail
Later this morning, I will attend, with my sister Anne and family, the Funeral Mass for my brother-in-law, Joe. He died on 20th June after suffering from bone cancer for two and a half years, during which time, he bore his illness with great patience and dignity. When the doctor at the hospital informed him that time was running out, he simply replied, “Well, it is up to God now.” RIP.
If you pray, would say one for Joe, my sister and her family. Even a kind thought will help.
Serious question as I head off to work – is there any restrictions on taking golf clubs on a train, particularly if travelling at peak times – for example tomorrow morning…….
Jobo. …no golf clubs are fine to take on a train at any time.
Jobo Baldie.
I am on the train most mornings, all sorts are carried on.
If it’s a busy train, you would maybe be expected to put it in the luggage rack.
I don’t know the rules, for certain, but that’s my daily experience.
Hail Hail and enjoy.
Connaire 12.
Will do.
From what you have written, he was obviously a man of faith which gave him great strength and courage throughout his illness.
I’m certain he will be given a great send off today.
May he rest in peace.
Jobo, over the years of travelling by train from East Kilbride to Central, there have been passengers travelling with golf clubs without any hassle from the conductor.
If you are leavimg early. The first two trains at 6.17 and 6.55 , are not the busiest
Connaire , my condolences for your loss.
Connaire…
Thoughts and prayers for Joe and his family…
Connaire
Prayer said my Fhriend. He was blessed to have you close to him.
HH jamesgang
Word of The Day (like the warchest ….)
Perdu or perdue (per-doo, -dyoo)
adjective
1. (of a person or thing) hidden or concealed
2. (of a soldier) placed on hazardous sentry duty
3. (of a soldier) placed in a hazardous ambush
noun
4. a soldier placed on hazardous sentry duty
5. a soldier placed in a hazardous ambush
Word Origin
C16: via French: lost, from perdre to lose, from Latin perdere to destroy
KTF
C12- sorry for your loss HH
AS we wander across the lush green lands of Mother Nature’s playground sometimes we encounter like minds, mirrored smiles and even echoes of our own poetic souls.
It’s 09.19 here in Glasgow and the sun has been bathing this microcosm of greenery in its nurturing light for a few hours now, just as it does in so many parts of the world. I particular it reminds me not only of one trek across Australia’s Outback but also of a particularly poetic and indigenous bard I came across by a place called “Didgeridoo Creek”.
He taught me this marvelous poem and made me realise that there will forever be a common thread that vibrates and connects across the oceans and lands.
Nothing more needs to be said, just marvel at its magic.
http://alturl.com/8sato
Hail Hail
Matt
JOHN51 @ 1 16 am
” if it had still been owned by Berlusconi ”
The alternative view would be that it would have happened sooner had it still been owned by Berlusconi .The Great Deceiver was on the way down .Losing money hand over fist ,he could no longer afford to hang on to his toy .. He decided that AC Milan would go down the drain before he did .
Funeral details for Ex Celt, scout and coach John Curran, a few bhoys on here knew John through the years
Funeral arrangements for John Curran.
St Ninians RC Church, Kirkintilloch
Body received to Chapel Tuesday 3rd.
Funeral Mass Wednesday 4th July 10.00 am.
Burial thereafter at Cadder, Bishopbriggs.
Scotland sizzles
Well that was a great wee training session last night.Team looks far fitter than at this time last year.Marvin Commper,who’d have thunk it.
Too many other plusses to mention,but delighted with the first look at the team this year.
Connaire12
My heartfelt condolences to all the family and may Joe rest in peace.
Please let Anne know there will be a candle burning in St. Boniface, Scarborough, Ontario, later today.
God bless
Very unimpressed with the World Cup tv football “pundits”. Hysterical joy at the elimination of Germany , very negative about Brazil. Even MON is a bit annoying.
In my unbiased opinion Henrik Larsson (the greatest ever Celt) is the best Ive seen so far.
The most informed ,tactic-wise is the black lady Alouko??
‘Celtic dud…’ some of the side articles on here,straight from the rags, and the reason sites like this were started, get rid or vet them please.
It seems as if there is a clear divide amongst the support as to the merit of signing McGinn. My tuppence worth is that McGinn is the heir apparent to Brown. He has all the qualities of the young Brown with his drive, determination and the manner in which he can impose himself on a game.
I would also state that i think he is better than Armstrong is now, nevermind the Armstrong we signed 3 years’ ago from Dundee United (and I think when comparing both players it should be based on their performances for Hibs/United respectively); I can’t recall Armstrong scoring a brace at parkhead or scoring at Ibrox.
The other argument that people put forward is that we are oversubscribed in that area, but I don’t think that bears out either: Brown has a couple of years at current level left in him; the jury still remains out on Bitton and Kouassi; Ntcham has been excellent but realistically has a Celtic shelf life of 3 years before the lure of England is too much (I think CalMac and Rogic are different players so don’t merit comparison).
McGinn is in mould of Brown, Tierney, CalMac, Forrest etc- he will be with us for years to come and won’t be tempted by a mid-table English team like Armstrong or most of the foreign players we sign that have aspirations to ply their trade in England.
To conclude, a stick-on for me.
Connaire
Sincere condolences to you and yours on the loss of your Brother in Law