The Scotsman did an interesting article today on the fact that recent attendances at Celtic Park have fallen well short of the circa 46,000 paid for tickets, the majority of which are season tickets. It touches on several issues.
Suggestions that a league in which Celtic inevitably process to the title is less attractive to the spectating public than a league with a competitive challenge is not a surprise. It would be bizarre otherwise.
Still, many Celtic fans continue to support the club for a whole variety of reasons: we want to see it prosper, we enjoy going to games with our family and friends, and, unsurprisingly, we enjoy watching football.
Anyone who doubted that attendances would soften after Rangers were liquidated should have widened their survey sample. For most of us, this was a welcome change. The joys of beating Rangers were undeniable, but most of us have a deeper relationship with Celtic.
The Scotsman predict that in the event there was never a “team called Rangers in the top flight” Celtic would endure some serious downsizing. If we remained within the confines of Scottish league football this is undeniably true. So what? There would be little competition, less income, fewer signings and more promotion from the youth team.
In this scenario there would inevitably be fewer Champions League nights too, but in the big scheme of things, would we want it any other way? Of course not. Celtic will be there, in sunshine or in shadow, playing football and paying their bills. I’d sign up for this right now.
There is, of course, the question of how welcome our continued presence in Scottish football would be with the prospect of not just winning 10-in-a-row, which I hear our favourite Sevconian, Ally McCoist, is now discussing as a possibility, but the realisation that 10 would soon become 20, or 30-in-a-row.
All Celtic can do is continue to win football matches, pay their bills and see off all challengers. The game here is irrevocably broken; the consequences of this will continue to emerge in the months and years to come. All we know for sure is that Celtic will prevail, no matter which scenario plays out.
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burnley78
19:04 on 30 December,
It arrived in Perth about a month ago, so it’s moving north…….LOL
derbyshirebhoy
No need to rack your brains. I will believe that, since we were knocked out of Europe, Neil will have used the fact, as opposed to the aim, that we were unbeaten in the league, as something on which the team can focus to maintain standards.
What will not have been said, and what the dissatisfied fans are accusing them of, is that all else (player development, tactical development, recovery from injury, playing style, use of younger and fringe players) will be subjugated to that aim.
In my sport, I had one season, out of more than 25 where my team was unbeaten in our league. I met a lad earlier today that played in that team and he brought the fact back to my memory. It was an achievement to be proud of, once it has been achieved. Until it has been achieved and there are more than 20 games for Celtic yet to play, then it can only be something to aim for which is highly unlikely to be achieved.
At the moment, it remains a nice issue to focus on but an unlikely achievement and most in the pro game know that. I am astonished that an unbeaten record is being used as a stick by our support. That is a measure of where we have got to.
I am off hospital visiting now. Will catch replies later
Paul67
“The game here is irrevocably broken”
Indeed but those in charge remind me of the Black Knight of Monty Python and the Holy Grail fame who armless and legless think all is well.
In fact Neil Doncaster was on radio today keen to look forward rather than back, which is fine enough if he realises that he is on the ground and not on legs or that he has no arms to hold hands to hold spectacles to see the real state of affairs.
As long as ND and his cohorts at Hampden share the Black Knight view of the world they will want to carry on pretending nothing is broken.
Now acting like the Black Knight is all very well (and funny) in a movie, but this is our national game that is bleedin away in real life and those who pretend otherwise need to be replaced by those who understand how broken the game is.
5-1for a Dunfermline red card
9-5 for a pen
Wonder if they’ll let me double it
On performances: 7-0 Hearts.
5-0 Motherwell.
1-0 Hibs
1-0 St Johnstone
1-0 ICT.
The missing ingredient in last 3 games?
A deeper lying Charle Mulgrew.
Would fans be more enthused about going to the games these days if the substitutes raced each other on space hoppers at half time?
Personally I dont think so and I hope the idea never takes off.
Delaneys; Will defo go up there very soon, just looked at some images online, and it looks spectacular, just my sort of thing!
Will take some pictures whilst there,looks like some nice wee tracks for the 4×4 enthusiast too.
B11OYS
Enjoy bud.
derbyshirebhoy
Sorry, don’t see it like that when we’ve no clue, other than MSM speculation which is gobbled up and regurgitated on Celtic Blogs, by taxi drivers and probably by Owen Coyle’s granny.
Hooper and Wanyama were both leaving last January.
Swept Away CSC
p.s. Anyway he’s rubbish according to some in the Celtic support
Any callers on snyde asking about Dougie! Dougie! ???
Pj,
I’ll watch the hun game until “thems” get their statuary penalty or the usual sending off.
Even the lower league teams are catching on to the corruption now.
As the old adage goes…if you tell a lie often enough! HH
Bournes
Just my opinion of course. I believe he will go at a timing of his choosing.
Who is the MIB tonight ?
Might inform on the pen/ red card bets
Owen flounce away to your hearts content….
Justafan…..nit heard anything anywhere yet
Radio Clyde is a joke…actually beyond parody….
Hail Hail
Nit = not ….need a keyboard for this phone…..
Kojo 17:35,
You keep on doing what you do, it is guid enough for me, though I am a hell of a Sinner.
I will disagree with a lot of what ye say, and quite rightly so, but I’ll agree with loads of what you say and I can only really say, I really appreciate the comments you put on this blog.
A new Rising Sun/Star from far far away, whodathunkit.
Naka was, technically, one of Celtic’s greatest ever players IMO. The wee lad Crosas was also very technically gifted.
_____________________
Delaneys Dunky 17:48
Most Definitely, olde Rascar is a much better wordsmith than me but he says it is amazing being so far detatched from the hustle bustle despite it only being about 10 minutes from the crow flying.
Drove by a car the other week with the reg – B11OYS, nice
Lennybhoy, in agreement with your comments and sentiments.
SFTB, I made the point last night, total lack of movement by players ( or is it awareness in what to do ?) is a huge problem, now is it the coaching to hold position ? Instead of attack ?
And to answer Paddybhoy
2, 3 & 4
1 I love watching us score 4, 5 or 6, never get bored with that
5, absolutely no interest in them, neither missing, or ever want, repeat EVER see them back
Hail Hail
sipsini
Yur bang on, but you know and I know, it is a constant in this Beautiful Wee Country we abide and always will be.
Awerabest PJ
derbyshirebhoy
Fair do’s – you could say that about most, I just don’t see a fee for Ledley or
Samaras *Quiz question How can you tell when Samaras isn’t trying?*
Why pay now for such (crappy players © CQN posters) when you get them
free in summer.
PS, love it when MWD has nothing to say :-)
& very happy birthday TET
Neighbour just gave me a cracking bottle of wine, it’s the bogs dollixs.
A 2007 Rioja, Crianza called El Coto, a stag on the label, have a look for it, it’s superb.
HH
16 roads – Wee Oscar the Celtic warrior.
18:21 on 30 December, 2013
The Gospel according to Zlatan,Verse 19,Chapter 67:
“I have played in the biggest games in world football. But I have never experienced an atmosphere like I did at Celtic Park.”
________________________________________________
To see oursels as ithers see us!
We must be doing something right, The Celtic Support.
Too r a loo
Can someone ask radio Snyde
Has the ICT player Draper been cited yet for assaulting the Ref yesterday, which the Ref missed
Had it been a Celtic player, that would have been the main topic
Hail Hail
Bhoys and Ghirls,
We may not all particularly like or agree with PL ( Or the remaining Board members ) but I think we can all agree he’s not stupid.
Is the perceived inactivity behind the scenes maybe due in part to uncertainty of Scotland’s future. It must be difficult to negotiate with any parties until our future is decided one way or the other.
Will the decision affect our trading and status on the LSE ( AIM ) and is our ability to contemplate change compromised by indecision at the moment.?
I have absolutely no desire to start an independence debate this is purely a football issue concerning Celtic.
I simply do not know, but uncertainty is never beneficial.
HH.
cowiebhoy
19:35 on 30 December, 2013
Got my Beanie ordered thanks for the heads up and taking Mrs LB’s Car to one of paddybhoy’s places on Friday for some Tyres.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
micktt
18:46 on 30 December, 2013
£2 well spent, although you could have bought the Zombies twice….!!!!
Bournes
I agree that a fee is unlikely. Reckon the only chance if either of the players get an option they fancy now
Shaun Byrne 50/1 1st goal :) might be Paul’s bhoy…..
cowiebhoy
19:40 on 30 December, 2013
Ala Johnny Doyle
The Exiled Tim
Hoopy Birthday my friend.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Petec
Aye bud, 10 minute drive for me fae Dalmuir. Could be in another world, always clears my head.
Lennybhoy, the beanie will suit :-)
And you need to talk nicely to Paddybhoy, he has been hovering around Coatbridge recently :-), sure he would do good business in that area
Hail Hail
petec
19:39 on 30 December, 2013
We certainly are….
Some shameful posts on here tonight from, supposed Celtic Supporters. Back to lurking for a while. Some of you should hang your heads in shame.
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
B11OYS 18:29,
It is a magical place, where peace and quiet rules. There weren’t many people to see throughout the course of a day, indeed one all day session up there we seen my Dad pass by as he was doing that Bird Watching thing he loves so dearly, he was the only soul that walked by that day.
I’m not sure if it is still as quiet as it used to be. Great place if the wind isnae there and the Sun is shining.
I’m not a betting man myself but to all punters out there who can’t get a bookie to take a bet on a Sevco penalty, you need to think smart.
For example, they might take a bet on which Sevco player will get the penalty, or even the second penalty, should Dunfermline equalise, or which Dunfermline player will be sent off at the penalty.
Bookies are smart. Punters need to keep up.
Caught Guidi and DL passing comment on Dunfermline’s all weather pitch not being affected by the rain. They returned to grass six or seven years ago.
I just Kris Boyd in a Lucky Bag embody want him!
cowiebhoy
19:44 on 30 December, 2013
I’ll be sure to bend his ear on Friday, he will be there in person….:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!