Celtic will face their first Champions League qualifying opponents on either 31 July or 1 August but heartbeats among the scouting staff will quicken tonight and tomorrow when every potential opponent will play in the second qualifying round.
A number of potential opponents from eastern and northern Europe are mid-season but all will benefit from successfully coming through two qualifying games before tackling seeded opponents two weeks from now.
It is crucially important that Celtic are ready for this tie.
The final qualifying round, scheduled to take place during the last two weeks in August, will offer a greater challenge on paper but European qualifying games in July are notorious for catching better teams unprepared.
After a credibly, though ultimately unsuccessful, Europa League group campaign last season Celtic’s domestic form clicked into place and we looked like a team capable of becoming champions. There was some regret that we didn’t hit form early enough to make the most of our European adventure. Neil Lennon will also be keen to avoid the anaemic performance against Sion, who beat Celtic on aggregate but were subsequently awarded two 3-0 defeats for failing to observe rules.
These Celtic players found hidden depths last season but they have a point to prove in Europe. There is also the nagging suspicion that this Celtic team is more talented that the two Gordon Strachan took to the later stages of the Champions League.
Bring it on.
Get your season ticket and saddle up for the ride.
940 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 25
- »
Question for SFA: what is the purpose of the rule requiring 4 years worth of accounts?
Isn’t it so that the association can be ‘comfortable’ with the financial status of the new club?
Isn’t therefore advisable to ensure that any club which has a huge doubt hanging over their financial status has very clear financial accounts over that stated 4 year period?
Just because the club in question here is supposedly newco rangers does not exempt them from satisfying the requirements of establishing their financial status.
Most people in Scotland feel confident that Sevco Scotland Ltd won’t last a season – indeed, many doubt they’ll survive long enough to start a game.
The SFA MUST ensure this club has PROVEN financial backing. If that cannot be provided, no registration. Adieu and goodbye.
This must be done in record time because other teams are potentially missing out if Sevco Scotland fail to satisfy requirements.
Any other club in the country would be told, come back next year and we might think about it. But for this year, you are outta time.
Celtic First
The whole caper is predicated upon the determination that “The Rangers” must not lose its history, and matters are being played out to present this illusion. The transactions to date have been highly questionable to say the very least.
For example, Sevco purchased the following ‘assets’ from D&P:
Goodwill (the badge) £1 – Actual Value intangible, but relates to future revenue from use (if any). Nil otherwise.
The SPL Share £1 – Actual Value Nil as the share was denied them by the SPL
The SFA Membership £1 – Actual Value considerable if share transfered, nil otherwise
Leashold Interests (Car Park) £1 – Actual Value £900,000 income per annum if in use, nil otherwise
Player Contracts & Registrations £2,749,990 – Actual Value Nil as valuable players refused to transfer
Subsidiary Companies Share Capital (the Website) £5 – Actual Value £100
Heritable Properties (Ibrox and Murray Park) £1,500,000 – Actual Value £30 Million approx
It’s steaming, and it’s contained in a crock.
Cant see how we can be optimistic about Europe
1. We have fewer players than last year
2. We admit that we need to sell a “star”
3. We havent bought anyone for the key positions we need, Centre back and striker
4. Pre season we havent scored a goal against mediocre opposition
But, apart from that……..
there is still a long way to go before NFL’s team can be compared to WGS’s team, i know this because i watched celtic beat milan at celtic park and it was amazing. NFL’s team does seem to have a lot of individual talent and i hope we can see them progress to achieve the same as WGS’s team, but playing in an easier to view way.
for what is worth i think we are 1 quality centreback and 1 quality striker away from having a very good team. hope this can be addressed this summer. even though we have moved on 11 or so players this summer the squad is still blotted which might prevent us from signing what is needed, but i have said before it will take time to undo the mess pre-NFL.
HH
Anyone heading over to Belfast for the Cliftonville v Celtic development squad game on 28/07/2012?
pintaguinness…
I thought the players we released were, er, not up to the required standard for Celtic FC.
Good afrernoon all,
Are any CQNers heading over to Amsterdam this weekend for the Ajax game? There’s a crowd of us flying from Belfast on Friday morning but want to know where everyone is meeting and where the craic will be on Friday and Saturday before the game? Does anyone know if any of the usual bands are playing over there this weekend?
Hail Hail
So, Sevco can get membership based on Rangers accounts for the last 4 years. You don’t need to prove that you are solvent, that you pay all your debts including statutory ones like tax and NI, and that you are fit as going concern. You just need bank statements.
Go tell the Spartans!
SJ
pintaguinness
1. Fewer players – squad was top heavy with players last season who were not good enough.
2. Sell a ‘star’ in a position(midfield) we are well stocked in and bring 2 new stars in that you want ie. CB and Striker. Whats wrong with that?
3. See point 2.
4. Don’t read the Daily Record.
HH
“From the STV report: “In a statement, the governing body said: “Sevco Scotland Ltd bought Rangers Football Club PLC’s share in the SPL and membership of the Scottish FA as part of their acquisition of assets.”
So the SFA is acting as though Sevco held a share in the SPL even though the SPL voted against said share being transferred to it. Interesting.
Scottish badminton star Imogen Bankier is hoping to take the family spotlight off her father in the build-up to the new football season.
Ian Bankier, the Celtic chairman, will spend the week before the Glasgow giants’ first game of the 2012-13 Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign watching his daughter’s quest for Olympic gold in London.
If all goes well, Bankier – a silver medallist with Chris Adcock at last year’s World Championships – will be playing in the mixed doubles final the night before Celtic host Aberdeen in their 4 August opener.
The 24-year-old said: “I will be annoyed if I am in the final and he skips that!
“No, I am sure he would make it – if there is a will there is a way.
“If we are fortunate enough to be in the final, I am sure he will make both that and Celtic’s first game of the season.
“I think it will be a massive week for him. He is busy with lots of Celtic stuff but he is looking forward to it.
“He can just relax – the spotlight’s not on him – and enjoy watching me compete in London.
“I have got about four or five people coming down from Scotland – mum, dad, brother and others. I will have a nice little band of support.
“They’ll have an amazing time I am sure.”
LuxCelt on 17 July, 2012 at 10:49 said:
Will do mate.
hh
What is our overall record in ECL qualifiers? Not too shiny, I don’t think.
That’s why I prefer to be pessimistic, and be pleasantly surprised.
SpanishJohn on 17 July, 2012 at 12:06 said:
‘So, Sevco can get membership based on Rangers accounts for the last 4 years. ‘
Have they produced accounts for the last four years?
TBB @ Noon
” It’s steaming ,and it’s contained in a crock ”
A perfect summation . Add the declared intention to ” facilitate ‘ and you have the perfect picture of a process designed to feather bed their re emergence.
Mea Culpa
See http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=9866&cpage=16#comment-1498248
Is it not for an employment tribunal to decide?
Rangers have asked the Scottish Football Association to convene an arbitration panel to rule on a dispute with players who left Ibrox under TUPE regulations.
Following the failure of Charles Green’s consortium to agree a CVA with Rangers’ creditors, the businessman set up a new company and bought assets from Rangers, including the contracts of the playing squad.
However, several players refused to allow their contracts to be transferred and left Ibrox, citing their right to leave under employment law, specifically TUPE regulations. That stance was backed by players’ union PFA Scotland.
Those players require their registration to be transferred to their new clubs but the SFA has refused the international clearance. The governing body has now explained its position, stating that it will begin an arbitration process at Rangers’ request.
In an online article explaining several aspect of Rangers’ situation, the SFA said: “ The Scottish FA issued a guidance note, based on legal advice and without prejudice, to both Rangers FC and PFA Scotland.
“Certain players have now chosen not to transfer across under TUPE regulations and, instead, agreed contracts elsewhere.
“On a procedural basis, the Scottish FA cannot process an International Transfer Certificate via FIFA’s Transfer Management System where there is an ongoing contractual dispute.
“Rangers FC have confirmed that there is such a contractual dispute. In the meantime, the new club(s) can request a temporary transfer from FIFA in order that the player(s) is free to play while the dispute process unfolds. This process has commenced in relation to a number of the players in question.
“At the request of one of the parties in dispute, the Scottish FA, through its Articles, can convene an Arbitration Panel, with either side selecting from a list of Panel members, with the two appointees subsequently selecting a Chair of the panel. Rangers FC have made such a request to the Scottish FA.”
traditionalist and philboy
Suppose I am really talking about cover. So we play our first qualifier in TWO weeks and, in that time we will sell a star and buy a centre back and striker and have them bedded in.That’s fine then. Dont read Daily Record or Fantasy news
As time is of the essence and we need to hit the ground running…which makes the appearance of Murphy all the more puzzling. If he is needed for Europe we have a battle on our hands.
WEATHERSEAL Home Improvements Ltd (Weatherseal) have announced their continued backing for Scottish Premier League clubs in the season ahead.
After a unsettled summer during which extremely difficult decisions have been taken, Weatherseal will continue to offer complete support to the 12 clubs, including newly-promoted Dundee.
Weatherseal managing director Tony Reilly said: “We have met the majority of clubs since our partnership was revealed in June and have been warmly welcomed.
“Clubs have been hugely receptive to our ideas and enthusiastic about how we can support them – right across the country.
“We’ve been inspired by the way in which clubs are embracing challenge and planning for the future.
“I said when we launched this partnership that we wanted to support the clubs at the heart of the communities and nothing we’ve seen during this summer has changed our thinking.”
If the SFA can link oldco & newcos accounts then so surley can HECTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAIL HAIL
The Battered Bunnet on 17 July, 2012 at 12:00 said:
”Heritable Properties (Ibrox and Murray Park) £1,500,000 – Actual Value £30 Million approx”
Though that’s probably about right if the floating charge is taken into account.
From the SFA Website
How can Rangers be considered for membership when they can’t provide four years’ financial statements?
Sevco Scotland Ltd bought Rangers Football Club PLC’s share in the SPL and membership of the Scottish FA as part of their acquisition of assets. Under Article 14.1, Sevco Scotland are requesting the transfer of the existing membership of Oldco
Uhmm…. Oldco’s 2011 accounts were all cushty and signed off by the auditors were they?
Ernie
No but got fined £160k so that covers that year say SFA !!!HUNBELIEVEABLE
pintaguinness
I’ll be surprised if we sign a QUALITY centre half and striker before the Euro Qualifiers.
I can’t help feeling that Neil hasn’t given up on turnin’ big Kelvin into a fitba player.
Now that’s a worry.
Still, ye never know.
Tir na nOg,
Im sure Dam Square will have plenty Bhoys in and around it.
Theres several bars and snack places handy. as well as the obligatory statue for bedecking in Green-and-White ;-)
I know thats where many of us congregated pre-CL qualifier ……..11 years ago!
11 years ago…sheesh cannot belive it was that long ago.
Hope you bhoys have as much fun as we did back then. Great few days culminating in a fantastic performance esp from the then much maligned Bobby Petta and big Sutty’s header that nearly burst the net!
Be good to have another CL qualifier like that one with a similar result in afew weeks!
Sorry, got caught up reminsicing there…..
Hope you have a great trip this weekend.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Ernie
Maybe, but the Admins contended repeatedly that there was no debt attached to the the charge. I guess we’ll have to wait a few years before BDO figure it al out.
pintaguinness
If Neil Lennon is happy to go into the third qualifying round, looking at the teams we could face, with the current squad then we should trust his judgement on that.
HH
Some travel advice for Amsterdam from Celtic including areas to avoid:
http://www.celticfc.net/matchday_ajaxinfo
TBB
You are right. However, consider this. If this, as RTC suggests, is the last drink in the last chance saloon, and you were Broadfoot, Ogilvie and whoever else they have on the inside, how confident would you be in Charles Green?
They pull out all the stops, facilitate to their wee hearts’ content and “save the history” against all the odds … only for Monsieur Charles to suffer an unfortunate insolvency event of his own. Pulling this off once will be difficult. If it fails, even Broadfoot won’t want to contemplate another attempt. Even he and those like him who enjoyed largesse in the deepest depths of the debt dome will give up.
look at the financial rewards for getting into the group stages –
http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/Finance/01/84/05/87/1840587_DOWNLOAD.pdf
never mind games against the Huns, get us back into the group stages and our finances will be in very rude health.
please Lenny & team, give it your best shot.
Traditionalist
Really dont think he is. He already said what we needed at the end of the season and nothing has happened. I’m just really of the view that with what we have we will be lucky to get past the first qualifier, regardless of the opposition
Hail Hail
ASonOfDan on 17 July, 2012 at 12:11
Would that be Brian Kennedy’s Weatherseal.
You remember Brian Kennedy, the Blue Kinights..?
Tin hat on but anyone else think that Bocanegra would be a good addition for us? Given not Celtic – Them games there would be none of their nonsense for him to cope with. Just play professionally as he has done in the past.
I would even resist passing the GIRUY smirks if I was in the company of an Orc.
Celtic?
The owners of the Lotus F1 racing team are branching into the hazardous financial world of football by setting up an investment vehicle to spend as much as €500m on “the beautiful game”.
Gerard Lopez and Eric Lux, whose private equity fund Genii Capital acquired the old Renault F1 team in 2009, have set their sights on about five second-tier European clubs as well as a dozen football-related businesses such as player agencies, academies and media rights management companies.
The vehicle will be managed by Genii’s sister company Mangrove Capital Partners, an early investor in Skype.
It has recruited Ferran Soriano and Marc Ingla, both of whom were senior executives at FC Barcelona during its triumphant run over recent years .
Despite the football industry’s capacity to burn through investors’ money, Genii has been attracted by the sport’s large revenues, global reach and the potential for better management and bigger profits at smaller clubs.
“[Big-name clubs] are inherently risky and very difficult to turn around,” Mr Lopez said. “We would rather take a club of €40m turnover than one with high aspirations and huge debt.”
Genii is an unusual F1 team owner, as it admits its primary purpose is to use Grand Prix weekends as a networking opportunities to broker deals in real estate, energy, new media, technology and the automotive industry.
The Lotus team made pre-tax losses last year of £21m and lost its title sponsor. It has since signed new sponsorship deals with Unilever and Microsoft and Mr Lopez said the team was on track to break even.
The team is also competing strongly. Going into this weekend’s British Grand Prix, Lotus stands third in the constructor’s world championship standings.
Mr Lopez insisted the football investment vehicle would not become another networking platform. “This is not about inviting people to games,” he said. “This is about investing in businesses that support and service clubs and about buying clubs and making them profitable. They need to be just better managed.”
He declined to identify which clubs Mangrove would target or the size of the vehicle, although it is understood investors would be tapped for up to €500m.
To navigate Uefa’s restrictions on investors owning more than one club, Mangrove will only buy clubs in different leagues. A problem could still arise if their clubs were to become successful enough to compete against each other in Uefa competitions.
notthebus
Blue Knights? Was that the fairytale the huns kept going on about for 3 months?
pintaguinness on 17 July, 2012 at 12:02 said:
1. We have fewer players than last year
dont think any of the players that have left can be considered as positive contributers to our success last season, we are no worse of than last season, possibly better off as we have a settled group of players who know each other very well.
2. We admit that we need to sell a “star”
if ki is the star then fair enough he does not get a game at the best of times. we have lost star men before such as mcgeady, who done a lot more and carried on. at this time we have charlie, izzy, kayal, victor, hooper, stokes, ledley, forrest, brown, mathews, sammy etc…
3. We havent bought anyone for the key positions we need, Centre back and striker
agreed, i would prefer both, but i’d rather a quality CB first. however, if your trying to sign quality players it often takes more time than signing potential or avarage players. i’d rather wait to get what we need than rush in a get another loovens or danny to be honest
4. Pre season we havent scored a goal against mediocre opposition
we have not lost anything from the results thusfar, its pre-season, sammy, izzy, victor etc… have only started to team up with the squad its early days, very early days indeed.
we can always be optimistic about Europe does not mean we will do anything of note
HH
As we draw breath and await our fate in the draw on Friday for Q3 of Champions League (CL), I was browsing the excellent Bert Kassies site on possible opponents etc.
The top 12 countries merit 22 automatic places in group stages.I note that Scotland is ranked at 15 which is the last position which merits 2 places in CL Q3, which means we have 2 qualifying rounds to reach the group stages.
Next season it looks as though Scotland will drop down to 18, thus on;ly 1 CL place and requiring the champions (i.e. CFC) to enter at Q2. This round commences tonight, meaning we will start our competitive season early next year (mid July). The following year we also lose the ‘Manchester effect’ from our ex-rivals, so it doesn’t look much better (purely from a stats perspective obviously!)
As Scotland’s coefficient is based on 5 years of stats and our annual contribution is calculated on total points (wins, draws, bonuses etc) divided by number of teams qualifying, we have suffered from inclusion and early exits of (no disrespect) the likes of Gretna, Queens of the South etc.
Also the schadenfreude of seeing ‘them’ being humiliated with an early exit was always tempered (slightly) with the knock on effect of reducing coefficients, thus making qualifying and progressing a harder task. As top players are also attracted by CL group qualification, it also makes recruiting talent more difficult.
In addition, with Celtic’s current coefficient of 32.728, if group stage qualification goes by the stats, we will be in Pot 4, ranked 27 out of the 32 qualifiers. Best case we could draw Porto, Copenhagen and Dynamo Kiev. Worst case it could be Barcelona, Man City and Juventus !
Gone are the heady days post Seville when we were ranked in Europe’s top 25 2005/2007. We are now ranked 63, thus harder draws in qualifying and group draws. Accordingly I think despite continuing fiscal prudence, we may have to speculate to accumulate in order to make a mark in Europe by increasing our status through results.
Winning the SPL for the next few years, despite any complacency, should be a given, and possibly fertile ground for blooding our undoubted young talent. But reversing our recent European may require some real investment in quality players.
Still looking forward to my first campaign as a season ticket holder, obviously main stand being from Embra !
Hail Hail