Building relationships downstream

One of the great tactics of a successful player trading model is to move on those who don’t fit into your plans at a profit.  This is easy for top clubs in England, who hoard talent from an early age, loan players out somewhere downstream (at a decent fee) before eventually selling them on.

This is more difficult for Celtic.  If a player isn’t cutting it at the Scottish Premiership, where can we find a potentially lucrative market downstream from us?

Mikey Johnston (24) is three appearances into his loan at West Brom, who are in the English Championship playoff places.  He opened the scoring against midtable Cardiff on Tuesday and is already attracting positive reviews.

West Brom are still dealing with the consequences of relegation from the Premiership three years ago and haven’t spent a pound on a permanent signing this season.  They are likely to remain in the playoffs until the end of the season and they are also being pursued by a new potential owner.  Either scenario could lead to a significant spend this coming summer.

Even if West Brom don’t escape their ligature, others in the Championship will be flush with funds this summer.  This is our ‘downstream’.  If Mikey can thrive there, others will too.  Small clubs try to solicit relationships with larger outfits.  Building relationships with smaller clubs in a wealthier league, like the Championship, can work work for Celtic.