Not all Champions League ‘winners’ take the trophy home in May. In 2009 Michel Platini, in his wisdom, decided that there were not enough champions in the Champions League, as a result of well-resourced also-rans from the large leagues crowding out table-toppers from the small leagues. The competition format was changed, champions from smaller nations would compete against each other.
The result of the change is that five champions from smaller leagues are guaranteed entry into the tournament. Conversely, runners up from the smaller leagues need to fight it out against non-champions from the big leagues, like Arsenal and Manchester United. The concern expressed at the time was that the flood of money gained by champions from the small countries would impact their leagues. ‘Good’, said a few of us.
Champions League money can double the income some clubs earn in a year. Successful Champions League entrants’ ability to compete would be greatly enhanced, perhaps meaning they jump into a virtuous circle, strengthening and qualifying in subsequent years.
There have been 30 places up for grabs in the champions route since, but the qualification performance stats isn’t what was expected by many. 22 teams have qualified but only six have done so more than once. Two, BATE Borisov and APOEL Nicosia, are the only teams to go one step better and qualify three times. Curiously, only BATE and Celtic have qualified in back to back seasons, no one has managed three in a row.
For all the riches the Champions League brings to Celtic, and teams far more impoverished than them, successful teams seem to encounter the classic Nouveau Riche problem. All this money and they don’t know how best to invest it in order to make sure they get another payday.
Qualification itself is not costless in competitive terms. It’s likely each team who punches through the barrier to reach the Promised Land, has to suffer the cost of exertion and distraction, which the visits of Europe’s aristocracy inevitably brings.
Then there’s the question of what to do with the money. Your best players get a shop window, encouraging them to run down their contracts. Your manager is likely to be off too. You have to find candidates further down the food chain, either in a lesser-still league, or at a club in your own land who are prepared to sell to you. And remember, this New Money is in the hands of people largely unaccustomed to spending at that level. You can afford to sign a €3m player, but the most expensive player you’ve previously worked with cost €200k. Those who can spot a great €200k player are not necessarily experienced enough to spend €3m wisely.
APOEL Nicosia and BATE Borisov have managed what the other 20 teams have struggled to replicate. Both are in this season’s play-offs and are favourites to go one stage further again. If BATE achieve this, they will have been group stage entrants four seasons out of five, so sustainable success not impossible.
Last week produced signs that eventually the cream is rising to the top. Eight of the 10 clubs in this season’s play-offs have reached the group stage through the champions route before, with the other two, Astana (v APOEL) and Albania’s Skenderbeu (v Dinamo Zagreb) odds against making it. For the first time it’s likely all five champions’ qualifiers will former graduates. The current highest number to qualify in one season is two.
So although the 30 places have been filled by 22 clubs from a remarkably diverse 17 countries, the pool of genuine competitors is approaching a limit.
Here’s the challenge, for Celtic and the rest. Your Champions League is a distinct competition to the headline grabbing tournament graced by Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Yours is being won by BATE Borisov. They are the team who have figured out what’s needed to come through this summer test with most consistency.
There are five places up for grabs. BATE and APOEL are doing their best to make sure their names are against two of those places. Celtic can grab another slot, but Malmo, Basel and Salzburg, as well as the Czechs, Israelis, Danes, Poles and other Eastern European teams, want their piece of the action too. A win against Malmo would go a long way towards flipping resources in Celtic’s favour, but whatever the outcome, being better than the rest of this geographically diverse group of small-nation clubs should be our immediate target.
Happy Birthday 50th to the Celtic View, the world’s first football club newspaper. Congratulations to the many who have contributed to the View over the years.
Can’t believe the news coverage John Collins comment has received. When he heard Derek McInnes’ backlash (cough) he must have looked around for a dressing room full of Hibs players.
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BT,
Orrrr… You could tune in to barca v sevilla in the super cup neebs.
HH
Looks like the MSM have it wrong again. My info is that the Hibs wonder player may be on his way to the Champions.
In addition there should be another 3 before the close of the window whether we qualify for the CL or not. The difference being the quality which does depend on qualification
HH
Geordie
Good call mate
Say what you like about Paulo Di Canio
But just watched again on sky sports the same man carrying out one of the most sporting gestures I have witnessed on a football field
Ps judging by his house in Termi looks like he invested football earnings wisely
BTTV PUNDITS COMMENT ON THE PARKHEAD CL GAME ATMOSPHERE ……(McManaman and Owen) …. See you there, boys……
Turned on ssb during the BTTV adverts …… What a load of old shoite they spout …… It really is cringeworthy …. Scraping the bottom of the barrel ….
In the name of goodness….
Murdo MacLeod sweated blood in the cause, was a fantastic player for us, totally committed and hugely enthusiastic.
Apparently, according to some in here he should be ostracised!
For giving opinions!
Much, much worse has been said by contributors on this site. Maybe by those displeased by Murdos place in the Q&A!
Is this what we have become?
Dear God!
Colum refereeing the Super Cup …..should be interesting….!!!!
Justafan
do you think he should be joined on the panel by Andy walker and Charlie Nicholas?
There are far better Celtic men than Murdo who have not sold their soul or written rubbish to sell papers for their masters
Murdo was a great player for Celtic and part of the management team who stopped 10 but since then he has has a grudge against Celtic
As I posted earlier imo.
Oh naw, no Scott Allen to Celtic again :-)
Not for me
Hail Hail
Great start to Barca Seville game
Who are the 23% who have voted Cifti to start ? Out ur self..
1-1 Barca v Sev ……what a game
Willie Collum gets the Super Cup Final…….what could possibly go wrong?
scott alan is one over-rated wee Knaff…… and totally unprofessional
Messi is a genius
Madness in the super cup. 3 free kick at edge of box. 3 goals. 2-1 to Barca.
So, tonight I heard a story about a striker Celtic will bid for if we qualify.
I don’t claim to be ‘in the know’ , have a source etc etc, but I know a man who has a close friend who is a successful football agent. The story comes from him.
If we sign this player, who’s fee will be somewhere north of £4m I guess, this blog will explode :-)
MESSI AGAIN…..another foul in the same corner….feckin WOW
This Messi could possibly succeed in the SPFL
Scott Allan to Celtic?!
No thanks.
HH!!
Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas,
Thanks for that sounds good :>).
MICKBHOY1888 on 11TH AUGUST 2015 7:29 PM
Say what you like about Paulo Di Canio
———
Ignorant – neo – fascist baw bag.
Will that do :-)
Catman:
Surprised at Allan, my information was we were interested but we are well covered in the midfield. The other three will be a LB, CH and Striker.
Allan could be a replacement for Kris.
Twitter was awash earlier about Scott coming to us.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
CATMAN on 11TH AUGUST 2015 7:26 PM
Looks like the MSM have it wrong again. My info is that the Hibs wonder player may be on his way to the Champions.
In addition there should be another 3 before the close of the window whether we qualify for the CL or not. The difference being the quality which does depend on qualification
HH
———
I heard this while in Portugal but had no way of verifying it so didn’t post about it.
Stringer,
Don’t you know every signing target is just a sneaky ploy to sell season books??:)
Not fair to judge a player before he pulls on the hoops but no ta to Master Allan.
HH
In Peebles on the night of the away game against Malmo. Any Celtic minded Pubs that would be showing the game bhoys?
67th heaven, the media here would find fault with Messi whether its his tattoos , making the sign of the cross after scoring, being too one footed etc.
HT,
Portugal? Oooooh someone’s doing well ;)
HH
tamtim,
Thanks for that :>).
Evening everybody.
Thanks Paul 67. Yes, a difficult market but we could always employ Zbyszek for the translation work.
Encouraging news about potential investment. Shows ambition if the signings materialise.
Agree with Timbhoy, someone should give non de ploome a lift.
” Say what you like a out Paulo Di Canio”
—————————————————
Ok. What have the Romans ever done for us ?
Monty Python csc.
GM
I get commission on every pish post on here, minted I am /-)
John Collins remarks would pale into insignificance if we signed Scott Allen
Both the Huns & there media cohorts would go totally ballistic
Go for it Pete :)
Was sharing the news of the possibility of Scott coming to us with a good mate, CM67, his reply; “this could be our petite merde payback…wouldn’t it be good…:)
GIRFUY!!
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
BAWSMAN,
If you’re looking in. Spent the weekend at the Douglas Hotel in Arran. Celtic vs. Malmo will definitely be on in there.
Get in early, they have a snug next to the main bar, with comfy chairs. The TV in there has sound, the others in the bar x 2 do not.
Guy who runs it is sound, a Hun but sound. Food good and beer, if pricey but worth it to catch the game.
HH RobinBhoy
HAMILTONTIM on 11TH AUGUST 2015 8:21 PM
I’ll crack the jokes…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!