News that Hull City had a £6m bid for Robert Snodgrass accepted took the wind out of my sails this morning. Snodgrass was one of the outstanding performers for clubs in the bottom half of the English Premier League last season, so it’s easy to understand his ticket price, despite only having a year left on his Norwich City contract.
He is a Celtic fan and has not hidden his desire to play for the club, but Hull City (good grief) are now bidding £6m for players from relegated clubs, after spending £8m on a Spurs squad filler.
This all begs the question, can we afford to compete with Hull City? Probably, yes, but we can no more afford to splurge £14m on a couple of players than Hull, who a year ago were reporting debts close to £80m.
We’re operating in an environment where indirect competitors for players are spending unsustainable amounts of money, pretty much like Rangers did for 20 years under Sir David Murray. For a few years after Fergus left, we played the same game as Rangers, running up millions of pounds of losses year after year, before pulling away from the edge, while they kept the pedal to the metal and careered into liquidation.
The decision not to match the Bank of Scotland money flowing into Rangers cost us trophies, and caused a great deal of dispute in the Celtic family, but story ended sweetly. So, so, sweetly.
The crash may never hit England, but the job for Celtic is to find a way of remaining competitive in the Champions League while matching income to expenditure.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.
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burghbhoy
11:34 on 29 June, 2014
TCR
We are totally ludge free in the Burgh.
Used to be a Masonic lodge which ironically closed with them owing various creditors .
You can spot the few buffoons with the wee cases travelling to ludges in other towns!!!
Deluded fools
One of the clowns came into my local one night with the wee case and a blazer full of badges,obviously going to a meeting,i said (rather loudly) ” he must
burghbhoy
11:34 on 29 June, 2014
TCR
We are totally ludge free in the Burgh.
Used to be a Masonic lodge which ironically closed with them owing various creditors .
You can spot the few buffoons with the wee cases travelling to ludges in other towns!!!
Deluded fools
One of the clowns came into my local one night with the wee case and a blazer full of badges,obviously going to a meeting,i said (rather loudly) ” he must be really good he’s got his own cue “
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2014/watch-moment-england-fan-ear-3783017.
What about this poor fella? Utterly shocking.
aiden bhoy
23:51 on 28 June, 2014
Auldheid
Apologies, had to visit someone in hospital urgently at midnight last night, and couldn’t, therefore, respond to you both……. basically, everyone in Scottish Football’s administration hierarchy, including Clubs, want rifc back, for purely financial reasons, and it is truly disgusting…….the Law of the Land is being ignored / manipulated / altered (e.g. INSOLVENCY ACT) ……. now, for this to work THEY ALL need to be in on it, with moral detractors like Campbell Hutton being ignored / swatted like a fly……..and, let me tell you, the shareholding spivs are in on it also……they will have been guaranteed a ‘minimum return’ to keep the ‘horribles’ afloat and they are doing just that……the smoke and mirrors are actually impressive, and need so many (very discreet) conspirators on Board…..etc ….anyone who thinks rifc are not going to get promotion next season, ‘by hook or by crook’, is sadly mistaken…..it has already started, with boyd ‘earning’ more than will be in the ‘books’ etc…….
Anyway, nothing I can do about it all……other than withdraw all financial support from any Scottish Stadium, other than Parkhead, and I will be approaching Celtic next season for my Club Celtic SB price to be reduced to exclude the 2 rifc games at Parkhead…..they can sell my seat to someone else for those 2 games……and if that is refused, I will not proceed with the purchase of my SB (with heavy heart)…
I am entirely with you on this, Aidebhoy ……..!!!!!!!!!
I sincerely hope you are right, Auldheid, but too many ‘barriers’ have been removed / ignored / manipulated etc ………please keep up the good fight……..!!!!!!
Sydneytim –
So all of a sudden you are quite happy for Peter Lawwell to decide which players to buy? You’ve changed your tune.
Reyjkavic, two weeks on Tuesday
Zaluska
Lustig VVD Mulgrew Izzy
Brown Biton Johansen
Forrest Griffiths Commons
Subs Watt, Pukki, Matthews, Boerriggter, Kayal, Fraser/O’Connell, Fasan
If that team can’t comfortably beat KRR then we are in serious trouble. By the third qualifying round Efe and FF will be back.
Yes we need a few in before the real stuff begins but the manager needs time to see what’s available before deciding who to move on and who to bring in.
Personally Kayal, Balde & Boerriggter should go but RD/JC will give them a chance to show what they can do pre-season.
We already have 7 strikers at the club (I include Commons who played as a striker most of last season), we won’t sign any more until 2 or 3 are sold, or moved out on loan.
It’s June 29th, if no one has signed by August 29th then I’d be worried, even July 29th is early days in transfer window.
ernie lynch
11:13 on 29 June, 2014
Billy Boy
11:10 on 29 June, 2014
‘The evil tory lot?’
####
Pity you nats didn’t think of that when you voted the Callaghan government out of power.
There again you didn’t mind the economic side of Thatcher so much did you?
::::::
That lot of Nats have as much in common with the present lot as has New Labour in common with The Labour Party of 1948: zilch.
Of course it was a Scottish Labour MP based in an english constituency that introduced the obnoxious 40% rule to the referendum of 1979. Therefore, I who was in the Shetlands at the time had my vote cast as a no because I wasn’t at home to vote. Labour got what they deserved, and please don’t forget this is the party that invented the bedroom tax and increased the numbers in the house if Lords: and is committed to spending billions on Trident. Oh, I nearly forgot they intend further punitive cuts cuts to the welfare budget: jobseekers allowance for those 18 to 21.
Have a nice day with your memories
of when Labour Party was a left of centre party, but maybe that’s too far back for you.
tricoloured ribbon
11:50 on 29 June, 2014
—
Saw that earlier, awful. Some scumbags about.
What are the fearties going to do if Rangers don’t get promotion next season? Another year before they have their excuse to run away.
Gary67,
Agree with all of your post but I would play Watt instead of Forrest.
We need to get this boy back on track and no better place to start than against this cannon fodder.
I have high hopes too for Marcus Fraser.I’m sure this lad can make it.
McGregor and Henderson too are ready too make their mark.
I am quietly optimistic.
Exiled. Indeed gambling on CL qualification is something we seem to do every year
Tom When I say the club , I don’t mean PL we have scouts who have a list
There is a good chance The play off game will throw up a difficult team
Bring one quality player on ASAP to bolster the squad and get used to his new team mates
I don’t want to see projects brought In that add up in fees and wages that will sit on the bench
One signing who will go into 1st eleven is what we need
tricoloured ribbon
12:02 on 29 June, 2014
I wouldn’t argue with that and I also missed out Stokes, a rogic and the youngsters who did well last season. The point I was trying to make was that we don’t need to sign anyone to beat Reyjkavic and I would prefer the new management team to take their time and look at the players they have before going into the transfer market.
to not too..
Tri R
The footage of that boy having part of his ear bitten off is shocking and disgusting.
Having said that, what a sad indictment on modern culture that people would rather film the events than go to the guy’s aid.
Gary,
Agree 100% pal.
http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/politics/tories-blocked-oil-boom-in-the-clyde-heseltine-admits-1.446273
HT,
Aye, he must have been full though or in a state of shock.
He doesn’t look too perturbed about it.
The long journey down under beckons, will log
in now and then to see whits whit in Timland…
…be nice and God bless.
missingyouallalreadyCSC.
Morning TET
The problem that Celtic and Celtic Supporters face is that we always have to play the game on and off the field away from home.
If what took place at Rangers on EBTs had happened in England there is no chance that the potential loss to the UK taxpayer would have got lost in the narrative in terms of common awareness.
I got talking to a couple of English guys on separate occasions when in Spain last who asked me about Rangers and what had happened to them.
When I mentioned the tax robbed angle and amount you could see that aspect had not occurred to them. How could it when the likes of Keyes and Gray were giving air time to Charles Green on Talksport? However that aspect of their reaction to the full amount of unpaid tax cannot reach critical mass unless the amount becomes too huge to ignore by the UK taxpayers living in England.
Obviously if HMRC lose then Rangers did not cheat on their use of EBTs on a grand scale (although they did on the ebts in the wee tax case.) and of course the sum owed drops to around £17m as opposed to £75m.
In that event no amount of our “knowing” they inherently cheat is going to be a cause for reform. In fact if HMRC lose it will heighten their attitude of victimisation.
There was always the risk that if investigation is confined to Scotland they would escape official branding of what they were under Sir David Murray, in fact in an independent Scotland I doubt a Scottish HMRC would have gotten as far as even billing them. A wee word here and there in Edinburgh would have been suffice.
So a lot does rest on the UTT because in spite of the fact it can be clearly demonstrated that not only did they lie to HMRC in the wee tax case, they, that is Rangers and the SFA actually steered LNS away from the incriminating evidence of the wee tax case, incriminating not only in terms of those unlawful early ebts but also of their motives for keeping side letters secret when they switched to the EBTS that the UTT is deciding on.
The reluctance of the smsm to even have a look at the evidence and investigate is worrying in terms of having a more open and transparent society.
The SPFL Board do have the evidence of LNS being misled and if nothing else the fact that they now know how unsound his decision was will make it much more difficult to use LNS as an excuse not to revisit the matter if the UTT find for HMRC. (and there is more to come on the issue of misleading the SPL.)
That is the reality as matters stand,to change that reality folk just have to stop thinking nothing can be done to change it but get off their backsides and make an effort to do so.
I don’t know what annoys me more, the secrecy and protectionism or the meek acceptance of it.
The First leg of the CL play off is on the 8th August, 40 days away. During that 40 days we have up to 11 games to play. We have a new manager who needs to assess the current squad and there will be players (FF?) who will want a move. I’m sure players are being scouted and assessed and moves will be made. What we have will get us through the two qualifying rounds and I’m sure there will be ins and outs before the play off round.
tom mclaughlin
11:58 on 29 June, 2014
It’s not our fault if you don’t have any principles and are quite happy to let them ‘walk all over us’ ….in fact, your statement leads me to believe that you luv having the hateful credits taint sporting integrity with impunity……what are YOU “feart”of ?
Last night I missed the extra time & penalties along with the Colombia game due to going to the wedding reception of the wifes friend:(((
Did I protest in the loudest possible terms and let her know I was not putting up with it and we would just go a little late?
NO I did not :))))
morethanmylifesworthCSC.
Auldheid
“At least I can say I tried” with Res 12
Well said sir and more power to you in your fight for justice.
Tom you’ve lost me who are the fearties you post about? ST a post without mentioning the balance sheet, haud me up! What one position would you want filled and do you have any names in mind? Hail Hail Hebcelt
Credits = cretins
I assume Tony Watt is back and training with us? What about those who were injured at the end of last season – are James Forrest and Nir Biton fit for pre season?
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
Sure I seen TW, NB & young Callum McGregor(from earlier) in the clip of us back in training.
Are you feart to respond, Tom …. Hahahahahahaha……I’m away to cut the grass
HT,
Were you at the event in Hamilton yesterday and if so what was the turnout like?
Aiden Bhoy @ 23.51
Anyway, nothing I can do about it all……other than withdraw all financial support from any Scottish Stadium, other than Parkhead, and I will be approaching Celtic next season for my Club Celtic SB price to be reduced to exclude the 2 rifc games at Parkhead…..they can sell my seat to someone else for those 2 games……and if that is refused, I will not proceed with the purchase of my SB (with heavy heart)…….
Interesting idea never seen that one before, and perfectly logical and understandable, having endured and supported the club through the cheating years, faithfully buying your season ticket year in year out, whilst all the time suspecting that your club were being defrauded.
I would love to be able to hear the reaction of Celtic when you make your request for the reduction, and on what basis or argument you would have for not wishing to attend two specific games.
I think I can guess what reply you’ll get, though I wish you well.
In the meantime some things may not happen, and other things will,
Tri R
I was. Very good turn out mate.
My first season ticket excluded the 2 Hun matches. Maybe they should bring those tickets back and market them to lads like Aiden Bhoy. Problem is they would sell those seats at a much higher price for the individual games and still fill the stadium.
Hebcelt. Of the 3 positions that we need
1. Center half. I think Efe has lots of energy and passion , but we need a more level headed person there
2. Center midfield Big problem. We saw teams like Aberdeen boss that area of the park
3.Goal scorer. We have griffifths and commons as goal scorers. Stokes just not cut it in Europe
So priorities is no 2. Midfield
Who. I don’t know. We have a well paid scouts who Travel Europe , a Luxury I can’t afford :(
hamiltontim
12:31 on 29 June, 2014
Tri R
I was. Very good turn out mate.
……………
Excellent pal.
They said there would never be justice for Bloody Sunday..
It will take time..but it will happen.
Incidentally,it’s the annual Derry Volunteers Commemoration this afternoon.
TAL.
Coorslad,
If yer lurking,
Get back on here wee man..
TCR
Consider that u have an open invitation to St Phils or the Tally mate.
Maybe after a game and we could indulge in a few tunes !!! Haha
Bada Bing
PMSL
Cowiebhoy
Just out of Mass. Father Nicky seems a great ghuy!!
HH
@celticfc: Leo Fasan and Callum McGregor are some of the young Celts heading to Austria. (MH) http://t.co/7204CbsPHj
sydneytim,
I share your worries about centre midfield.
We have to give Henderson and McGregor every opportunity in the forthcoming friendlies.
bournesouprecipe
12:28 on 29 June, 2014
That was my post / viewpoint ……… and you are correct…..some things will happen, and some won’t …….. I’m just getting really angry with all the shoite happening within Scottish Football ……. Corrupt barstewards and I won’t encourage them ………