There are probably a dozen important metrics to measure Celtic’s health: total revenue, commercial revenue, merchandising sales, trophies, European progress, but the most important long term indicator of the club’s health is the is demand for season tickets, which not only sold out this week, but did so in record time.
Three years ago, the upper tier of the Lisbon Lions stand was covered in advertising tarpaulin. Brendan Rodgers’ arrival changed that, but his departure changed nothing. Now, the task for Celtic, is to keep the kettle boiling without the perma-tanned one.
My suspicion is, there is going to be an intensity about the next two seasons as Nine and Ten come into focus. These will be leagues for the ages, we all want to be there.
But the football business is never simple, even if the next two seasons go to plan. Football does not stop at Ten, but getting there changes everything.
Alexander the Great wept when there were no more worlds to conquer. 11, 12 or whatever-in-a-row would all be just another season for Celtic fans, what number do we chase with any conviction then? This is very much a First World problem, can you imagine how losing the next two leagues to Celtic will affect our supposed rivals?
Celtic the Great will weep at having no more records to chase, but, goodness, the bitter realisation of historic and perhaps permanent failure – knowing the best you can hope for is second to Celtic – that will threaten the viability of some.
I’m enjoying these times. Every minute of them. You have a good weekend.
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Auldheid @2:00
I have had some time off … I was going to the cottage, but too many black flies …. then decided to repaint the house, but after getting more paint on me and the dog than on the wall, I decided to say forget this, and hired someone to do it …so, have had some time, and have a few a few articles percolating in my brain ….
one of them was on hegemonic theory, comparing Celtic fans to Republicans under Trump, but thought I might get cyber-lynched if I posted it on here…but, since you have already broached the subject, it might be safe ?
Another was on the influence of Lutheranism on the Gospel of CQN … the idea that unquestioning support is a good thing … as you know, Catholicism is typically described as ‘faith informed by reason’, while Luther was often said to teach* that salvation was found through Faith Alone. my working thesis is that the ‘Happy Clapping – don’t question the Board’ approach is not only not effective or not very Catholic in its approach, and, in fact, May be a symptom of increasing cross-pollination with our southside rivals … …the working title is ‘Sola Fide, Sola Temporum Tessera’ or ‘By Faith Alone, By Season Ticket Alone’.. ?
*just having a bit of fun, and don’t want to offend any of our Lutheran posters, so I wish to point out that some scholars, e.g., Bernard Lohse, have done some interesting work suggesting that the traditional view on Luther may not be accurate.
Paul ,
While Celtic doing the 10 would sicken them, going on to 13, and The 55 would utterly crush them. It would destroy their notions of supremacy as they would no longer be The Most Successful Club In The World.
This is totally in our hands. Only our board can prevent this happening. Sadly, the last 3 Windows suggested that this is a distinct possibility.
If that were to happen the fallout could mean the club moving to the refurbished Barrowfield. I pray this doesn’t come to pass!
I like your metaphor Paul……. for Macedonia think Caledonia. Celtic was always about football, but that had to change after the edinburgers bank of scotland tried to kill the club in the dark mid nineties. Celtic embraced the business modus operandi then on and fought at that level with other clubs, media, authorities, police, traffic chiefs, usually alone and with the usual suspects sniping at them. Celtic might not always have played the game at this level with the astuteness we might have liked but with a massive army of support, loyal behind them, they always lived to fight another day. The word mercenary for the manager was another metaphor we saw a lot recently. it just underlines that we need driven, ambitious, cutting-edge, technological types who are fans directing the club. Then there would be lots more battles to fight. Until then we can gloat in Glasgow but look like fish out of water over the Tweed. AND isn´t it a good business model to make structural changes when things are going well…on and off the park, not when you are in a crisis. The big Festival on the Clyde in the summer is a good chance for Celtic folks to start a debate about where they want the club to go. The challenges are endless actually, as much socially and politically than economically. Scotland´s birth rate is low and we need young (cheap) football players to manage.
Just saying.
MiT
All joking and caveats aside, that’s a fascinating hypotheses – which I totally challenge!!!
As a backdrop, it’s worthy of noting that many lutherans, calvinists, Presbyterians (select as appropriate) would self characterise themselves as more questioning than their Catholic brothers and sisters.
Whether this is true, or can ever be judged ‘at scale’ is questionable. The more so, given how subjective and self/assessing it is!
What I can attest to from my personal experience is that those of us who choose Celtic on the basis on ideals and ethos, rather than being born into it tend NOT to be conformist types.
If you can wear a Boston Celtics jaiket in a CofS Kirk and sit down when GSTQ is played, then you’re not pliant happy (bappy!) clapper my Fhriend!
Rather a discerning rebel with a clause!
HH jg
Mike in Toronto on 7th June 2019 3:51 pm
Working title, “Assimilated Tims”.
How good does it feel on a Friday night after working all week to celebrate the TREBLE TREBLE what a fkn achievement by the green and white machine
Tonight I have splashed out on a nice hospices de beaune Volnay 2015 blondeau it’s my favourite red wine and I am sure you all agree that there is nothing better than celebrating the famous Glasgow Celtic champions over the summer
To all on here enjoy your your tipple tonight these are record breaking times to be a supporter
Mike…not only not effective…are u sure you’re not only not a lawyer ? to my mind faith is unquestioning…and how can you argue with someone who has faith on their side…with reason backed by facts?..but then they become unreasonable…but still faithful…do you then criticise their faith?
quandryCSC
I’ve now got a headache…lol
Celtic Champs Elect
At £70 a bottle in Waitrose it’s not on the list when I’m out for my carry oot
Eddie I drove to Volnay in Burgundy and went to the domaine and was able to buy 30 cases for 15-20 euros per case
Waitrose is it Eddie…look at you ?…sorry mate..couldn’t resist ;-))
H.H.
Jamesgang
I hope you are keeping well.
My post was more in fun.
But, there is some truth in what you say. If I were going to do a more serious analysis, I would probably want to combine the two issues I identified, and also look at the issues you raise (although my initial sense is that you might be more the exception that proves the rule. But, I haven’t really gotten too far in even fully developing my thesis, let alone researching).
If I ever do, I may pick your brain, if I may.
Actually, a dinner and drink with yourself and some other posters, discussing politics,religion and football … I would enjoy that.
Sorry per bottle :-))
CELTIC CHAMPS ELECT
With a positive post like that you’re on the wrong blog.
Depressing stuff on here since we completed the treble treble.
Me? I’m enjoying it while I can!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TREBLE fuggin TREBLE
mon the hoops
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pok5yDw77uM
Lurkin
Catholic theology, from Thomas Aquinas to John Paul II’s 1998encyclical, Fides et Ratio, says that faith and reason are two ways of arriving at truth, and since all truths must be harmonious with each other, there should be no conflict between faith and reason, if both are done properly.
PHILBHOY on 7TH JUNE 2019 4:36 PM
CELTIC CHAMPS ELECT
With a positive post like that you’re on the wrong blog.
Depressing stuff on here since we completed the treble treble.
Me? I’m enjoying it while I can!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PB I grew up with the lions and never knew anything else but not winning the title until that year we lost it and someone might correct me on this but I am sure we lost 3-0 to the huns at Ibrox New Years game at Ibrox and the way that scum celebrated shocked me to the core.
So I celebrate every tilt leader like it will be our last. BUT A TREBLE TREBLE ffs that is just unbelievable even to a die hard like me and your good self. :-)))
MIT
I’d love that too. Shall we send Eddie to Waitrose for the carry oot?
??
HH jg
BILLY BHOY on 7TH JUNE 2019 3:51 PM
Paul ,
This is totally in our hands. Only our board can prevent this happening. Sadly, the last 3 Windows suggested that this is a distinct possibility.
_____
It’s in our hands to an extent.
We cannot control what Sevco do for 34 of the 38 league games a season. They should be benefiting from structural advantages over the opposition for those 34 games.
Even if we improve under NL they may run us closer the next two season as they find consistency against the rest.
Think about NL’s first full season. We obtained 92 points. Picked up 7 points across the four old firm games (as opposed to the 4 they picked up) and came in second.
Points totals from our 10 previous title wins: 84, 89, 93, 79, 99, 92, 86, 106, 82, 87
We picked up more points from the Old Firm games. We put together a good points total. Wasn’t enough.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48559100
Motherwell have rejected bids from Celtic and Barnsley for David Turnbull – one of which was worth £2m.
Both offers were submitted in the last 24 hours but fall short of the valuation placed on the 19-year-old midfielder by the Fir Park board.
The club believe Turnbull, who has two years left on his current deal, is worth more, with a value of £3m being mooted for the academy graduate.
Last season, the teenager scored 15 goals and provided six assists.
In May, Celtic were reported to have been considering a £1.2m approach for the Scotland Under-21 internationalist – something Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows described as “nowhere near” enough.
Speaking previously to BBC Scotland, Burrows said: “If anyone is wanting to buy David Turnbull, the fee would have to be significant. Not only because of his talent, it’s to do with the contribution to the team.
“It would need to be a figure the club just couldn’t refuse, and that’s not going to be cheap. I would imagine it will set all sorts of records for this football club.”
Mike…we both know that to be bollox…faith and reason are diametrically opposite…would love to chat at length about this…but Jamesgang is jist bak from Eddies…wae the carry out…?
H.H.
CELTIC CHAMPS ELECT on7TH JUNE 2019 4:23 PM
How good does it feel on a Friday night after working all week to celebrate the TREBLE TREBLE what a fkn achievement by the green and white machine
Down with this sort of thing….?
However…I had faith…based on nothing reasonable…that we would do the Treble Treble…does that make me a contrarian ?
H.H.
Lurkin
We all chipped in a tenner. Got one bottle and four straws.
Faith and logic both tell me we need the big mhan (not Mike!) to do his stuff.
HH jg
Timaloy29
I hear what you’re saying mate. However, I still think we’re in complete control. For example, we won the league by 9 points. If we had turned up twice with our working gear on at Ibrox the gap would have been 21 points – more reflective of the true gap between both squads.
Instead, of course, Fraudgers fecked about with the line up in December and then Lenny let the guys have their end of season blow out between winning at Pittodrie and rolling up at Ibrox.
Even then, it took fluke goals to give them the lead each time!
So, for me, nothing less than 13 will do. After that it’s hopefully To Infinity And Beyond! (C) Buzz Lightyear
/www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/motherwell-celtic-barnsleys-david-turnbull-16396815
I don’t know which is the more depressing…..the fact another low bid is rejected or the fact we’re shopping in the same store with the same budget as Barnsley . It’s going to be a long summer.
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 7TH JUNE 2019 5:23 PM
I believe we should always be trying to pick up top young Scottish players.
Teams like Barnsley have the type of money that can buy the best players from the likes of Motherwell.
Don’t see the big deal.
Hope yer straw is longest Jamesgang…it’s only right ?
H.H.
BADA- hearing a wee rumour about cal mac,you heard anything??
RIP Dr John!
everbeenintherightplacecsc
Celtic have bid rejected for Motherwell’s David Turnbull. Barnsley also have bid rejected. One bid for £2 million and other in excess of £1 million. Understand Celtic will go back in again with an offer but Motherwell won’t accept anything less than a £3 million package.
FB- a rumour a couple of weeks ago the rat interested….
Just watched some videos from the convention in Vegas bloody marvellous HH
?
Very surprised to see Liverpool releasing Irish Under 23 International Conor Masterson. A 6ft 1inch Central Defender, Liverpool paid close on a million for him when they signed him from Lucan in Ireland as a 16 yr old.
He was on the bench in a Champions League game last year albeit it was at a time when Liverpool had a lot of first team squad unavailable.
He is still only 20 and now without a Club, is available for zilch.
Come on awenaw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY8APrYU2Gs
BADA-yip that’s the one,although when he said £17m I thought nah ?