Elite operator moves into Hearts

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Fascinating news yesterday that Hearts have signed an exclusive deal with Jamestown Analytics, the data services company owned by Brighton major shareholder, Tony Bloom.

Bloom is an interesting character.  Most gambling millionaires are bookmakers, but Bloom has been a professional gambler for over 20 years and, operating a syndicate while earning on the professional poker tour (yes, there is such a thing).  He has been in charge of Brighton for 15 years, during which time he applied his analytical mind to football.

This is Brighton’s eighth season in the top flight.  They are currently one of four clubs on 19 points, only Liverpool and Manchester City have more.  Bloom has the kind of control over Brighton and influence over his other football investment, Union Saint-Gilloise, that enables him to appoint managers and players attuned to the clubs’ development objectives.  He has been a spectacular success.

He was rumoured to have been behind Hearts’ recent appointment of Neil Critchley and is a potential investor in Hearts.  This is similar to the association we had with City Football Group and their elite systems, which led to the recruitment of Ange Postecoglou and host of players who pushed the club forward.  There are few genuinley elite operators in football, CFG and Bloom are two.

You and I have said for years that what Scottish football really needs is for Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts and Hibs to get their act together and outperform lesser resourced clubs, instead of being embarrassed by sides like Motherwell.  It is early days for Aberdeen but they appear to be on the right path.  Hearts will be a force to reckon with next season.

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  1. The Battered Bunnet on

    Two transfer windows doesn’t give a lot of time for Hearts to build and refine the new system. Saying that, the competition isn’t heavyweight.

  2. Will this be the period that Adam Idah grabs the bull by the horns and starts to make that £9 million look like a good investment ?

     

     

    TT

  3. TBB

     

     

    It won’t take much for Hearts to make a big improvement from this current season .

     

     

    Let’s hope it doesn’t start on Saturday.

     

     

    TT

  4. glendalystonsils on

    Hearts eh ? Nice to be focusing on a competitor other than Sevco .

     

     

    The stronger the bigger underperformers become , the less relevant Sevco will become .

     

     

    I’m all for it .

  5. Bada Bing

     

     

    Thanks for sharing the video – it got me in the mood for our pilgrimage for the Boxing Day game!

  6. SAINT STIVS @ 11.25.

     

     

    Crisis-hit Dumbarton have turned to an online fundraiser in a bid to ensure players and staff get paid this month. (Daily Record)

     

     

    SAINT STIVS, amazing how the eye and the brain don’t ‘see’ the same thing. I thought that quote above suggested Dumbarton were turning to an ‘online fraudster’! Maybe following the Sevco manual of survival?

     

     

    PS I know that you are an occasional skywatcher. For the last few nights Mars (almost due east) and Jupiter + the Orion Belt (due south east) have been clearly visible to the naked eye, given the cloudless nights during this high pressure period.

     

     

    Ave Ave

  7. !!Bada Bing!! on 21st November 2024 12:16 pm

     

    ————————-

     

    Thank you for posting – wonderful stuff – gets better every year. HH

  8. Big Jimmy on 21st November 2024 11:49 am

     

    clunks on 21st November 2024 10:43 am

     

     

    From Last Thread..

     

     

     

     

    Big Jimmy, why don’t you just plug our PC into your new tv via the HDMI and save the hassle of buying NEW MONITOR?

     

     

     

     

    …………

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I have my DESKTOP Computer in one side of my living room. My existing TV is across the living room in a corner.

     

     

     

     

    As I can NOT get CELTIC TV and/or PREMIER SPORTS on my Smart TV….I watch the Those Channells/Fitba on my PC Monitor.

     

     

     

     

    I just want a Bigger Monitor to watch the Fitba. My present Monitor is okay but it is only 23 inch screen….If I remember correctly ?

     

     

     

     

    Cheers mate.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    HH.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I need someone who KNOWS how to set things up

  9. Jimmy, you can connect your Smart TV and desktop via wifi

     

     

    Right click your desktop, then click display

     

     

    In the next pop up that opens look for “connect to a wireless display” click connect and follow the instructions

  10. All this sentimental nonsense over Celtic Christmas video.

     

     

    It will have to be good to outshine Charles Greene’s address to the hordes a few years back.

     

     

    Humbug.

     

     

     

    ps I had to pretend i had something in my eye in the office there.

  11. clunks on 21st November 2024 1:14 pm

     

    Jimmy, you can connect your Smart TV and desktop via wifi

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Right click your desktop, then click display

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In the next pop up that opens look for “connect to a wireless display” click connect and follow the instructions

     

     

    ……………

     

     

    IF I manage to follow your instructions, and its a BIG IF….LOL.

     

     

    Will I be able to watch Celtic TV and Premier Sports on my TV, instead of my PC Monitor/DeskTop ?

     

     

    HH Mate.

  12. adi_dassler not for 2nd best on 21st November 2024 1:19 pm

     

    For all IT Issues….D66 is the mhan !.:)

     

    ………

     

    DAVID66 is ma big china.

     

    IF he is well enough I may ask him to help me ?

     

     

    HH.

  13. BADA BING Some Celtic supporters need to stop imposing there views when visiting other clubs ,if it’s not Palestine then it’s poppy day ,or supporting the IRA ,It’s really embarrassing, and Israel has every right to defend its people and country.

  14. clunks on 21st November 2024 1:14 pm

     

    Jimmy, you can connect your Smart TV and desktop via wifi

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Right click your desktop, then click display

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In the next pop up that opens look for “connect to a wireless display” click connect and follow the instructions

     

     

    Big Jimmy on 21st November 2024 1:18 pm

     

    FAVOURITE UNCLE on 21st November 2024 1:06 pm

     

     

     

     

    !!Bada Bing!! on 21st November 2024 12:16 pm

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    https://x.com/celticfc/status/1859567443183866082?s=48&t=woEflU-X9O4uXLlFEJ2IiA

     

     

     

     

    ……………..

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Magic Video.

     

     

     

     

    Every time I watch HENRIK lobbing Stefan Klos in the 6 – 2 game, it STILL sends shivers doon ma spine.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    HH.

     

     

    jc2 on 21st November 2024 1:19 pm

     

    All this sentimental nonsense over Celtic Christmas video.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    It will have to be good to outshine Charles Greene’s address to the hordes a few years back.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Humbug.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ps I had to pretend i had something in my eye in the office there.

     

     

    adi_dassler not for 2nd best on 21st November 2024 1:19 pm

     

    For all IT Issues….D66 is the mhan !.:)

     

     

    Big Jimmy on 21st November 2024 1:22 pm

     

    clunks on 21st November 2024 1:14 pm

     

     

     

     

    Jimmy, you can connect your Smart TV and desktop via wifi

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Right click your desktop, then click display

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In the next pop up that opens look for “connect to a wireless display” click connect and follow the instructions

     

     

     

    ………..

     

     

    Ive done the RIGHT CLICK on my Desktop, and it opens a new window BUT….There is NO Sign of any Link that says…” Connect to a wireless display” ?

     

     

    Im stumped Mate.

     

    HH.

  15. The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on

    Bloom’s experiment with Hertz will be interesting.

     

     

    I’m guessing the data sets driving his models and algorithms don’t capture ‘lying down to R2angers every time we play them’.

     

     

    Hertz effectively start each season with a points differential of minus 12 😂

  16. I received the below from my supporters club bus convener this morning.

     

     

    Home Digital Tickets at Celtic Park (Additional matchday allocation/ Public Sale Tickets)

     

     

    Afternoon all, yesterday evening I joined representatives from Celtic, Hampden, some club associations and a few supporters clubs around the introduction of digital tickets to home matches at Celtic Park for a 1 hour meeting.

     

     

    The reasons for this were outlined as cutting down on fraud, restricting the scam market and as is the goal for many large businesses Sustainability.

     

     

    Last night’s meeting was not to discuss implications or how this move may impact or help supporters buses, that will come early in the New Year but to advise that this will be trialed by Celtic staff at our upcoming 2 home league matches V Ross Co. & Hibs.

     

     

    Celtic stated that some clubs have rolled out digital tickets as a big bang where the whole ground is digital from day one to disastrous consequences and are striving to ensure this does not happen. Hence the trials by staff. The trials also are not limited to 1 particular section but the whole ground. This ensures all areas and staff are aware of the potential for issue.

     

     

    If you can all cast your mind back to the start of last season, the turnstiles were upgraded meaning instead of inserting your season tickets into slot you can tap against the 3 bars icon. This means that your season tickets like your mobile phones are enabled for NFC (Near Field Communication). The benefits of this over WiFi are that Celtic themselves are aware of the WiFi and mobile signal issues around CP and also that NFC adds an additional layer of security to prevent fraud and scams.

     

     

    The facts are that Celtic Park although there is no full go live date as yet will be Digital ticket access for additional matchday tickets most likely before the end of the season.

     

     

    For anyone who’s been to concerts or even Hampden for internationals recently these are generally all digital where your phone is your wallet. Now all Tickets sent will have option to be added to Apple or Google wallets and accessed from there. *The key point is once downloaded onto a device these cannot be transferred*

     

     

    There is clearly tracking of some sort on the emails as Celtic stated they will know what tickets have not been downloaded to a device approaching the match (most likely by tickets activated to a device they’ll know the seat reference).

     

     

    Supporters Clubs were touched slightly on last night but as stated how this affects us will be discussed further early next year.

     

     

    Members of the ticket office are aware that bus convenors will have last minute call off’s etc. and need to move tickets on so are looking at options.

     

     

    It’s possible that when requesting additional tickets I will also require an individuals email address, now whether tickets are sent directly by Celtic to the requester or to clubs to pass on wasn’t covered.

     

     

    Celtic are aware that not everyone has an Apple or Google phone and that children will attend with parents etc. but like with concerts up to 6 tickets can be on 1 device and individuals scanned in 1 at a time.

     

     

    As I said supporters clubs and how this affects us wasn’t discussed with more to follow on that. However, Celtic are 99% certain that this seasons Scottish Cup Semis and Final at Hampden will be digital tickets only which will require installation of the SFA app.

     

     

    More to follow.

  17. my mum was a margaret.

     

     

    i got as far as the picture in the box before the first tear started, i am getting sentimental in my old age.

  18. denzil washington goes to the magic mirror.

     

     

    mirror mirror on the wall who is the greatest of them all …………..

     

     

    the mirror says, oh that will be henrik larsson

  19. Saint Stivs on 21st November 2024 2:22 pm

     

    denzil washington goes to the magic mirror.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    mirror mirror on the wall who is the greatest of them all …………..

     

     

     

     

     

     

    the mirror says, oh that will be henrik larsson

     

    …………….

     

     

    When they get around to making a Movie of my life, I am hoping that Denzil Washington will play me in the Movie ?

     

    My people are talking to Denzils people as I type.

     

    LOL

     

    HH.

     

    HH.

  20. Saint Stivs on 21st November 2024 2:21 pm

     

    my mum was a margaret.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    i got as far as the picture in the box before the first tear started, i am getting sentimental in my old age.

     

    ……….

     

    My mother was also a MARGARET.

     

    She left my DA and me in early 1956.

     

     

    i was only around 3 months old, when she got up and left.

     

    I have NO MEMORY of her whatsoever.

     

    Until he passed away earlier this year my DA was completely baffled as to how any Mother could abandon a 3 month old child ?

     

    It tormented him for years.

  21. CELTIC plc

     

    (Incorporated in Scotland with company registration number SC003487)

     

    Registered office: Celtic Park, Glasgow, G40 3RE

     

    NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (“AGM”)

     

    Notice is given that the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Celtic plc (“Company” or “Celtic”) will be held at Celtic Park,

     

    Glasgow G40 3RE on Friday 22 November 2024 at 10.30am to consider and, if thought fit, pass the following

     

    resolutions:

     

    Resolutions 1 to 8 (inclusive) will be proposed as ordinary resolutions. Resolution 9 will be proposed as a special

     

    resolution.

     

    As ordinary resolutions:

     

    1. To receive the Company’s annual accounts and the Auditors’ Report, the Strategic Report and the

     

    Directors’ Report for the year ended 30 June 2024.

     

    2. To reappoint Michael Nicholson, who retires by rotation, as a director of the Company.

     

    3. To reappoint Dermot Desmond, who retires by rotation, as a director of the Company.

     

    4. To reappoint Tom Allison, who retires by rotation, as a director of the Company.

     

    5. To reappoint Brian Wilson, who retires by rotation, as a director of the Company.

     

     

    Vitality reappointments.

  22. Our Ladies team performed admirably against one of the best in the business.

     

    They also received a lot of praise from the commentrary gang.

     

     

    HH.

  23. Prestonpans bhoys on

    Tom McLaughlin on 21st November 2024 1:48 pm

     

    I received the below from my supporters club bus convener this morning.

     

     

    Knew digital was around the corner, could have serious ramifications for punting unused ST’s on supporters buses.

  24. Going digital 😀😀😀

     

     

    Even smart phones are dunces at Parkhead. Connected without internet is default.

  25. TIMBHOY163 on 21ST NOVEMBER 2024 1:33 PM

     

    BADA BING Some Celtic supporters need to stop imposing there views when visiting other clubs ,if it’s not Palestine then it’s poppy day ,or supporting the IRA ,It’s really embarrassing, and Israel has every right to defend its people and country.

     

    ———————

     

    Hear hear – I agree with every word you say. “Some Celtic supporters” also need to stop imposing their political views and explosives on the overwhelming majority of us at Celtic Park.

     

     

    We all spend good money to watch our team play and join in with pre-match fun. Two and a half hours to concentrate on and enjoy the club we love without politics and pyros stuffed down our throats and up our noses – is that really too much to ask?

     

     

    Celtic is quiet on these things at the moment; I hope that’s because the position is being seriously considered and a solution is in the making.

     

     

    I will, together with other modest shareholding family/friends, be voting in the affirmative on all the resolutions listed earlier – “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” HH

  26. PB……….

     

     

    THE DIGITAL TICKETS ARE FOR PUBLIC SALE SEATS, SO ONE OFF GAMES.

     

     

    Home Digital Tickets at Celtic Park (Additional matchday allocation/ Public Sale Tickets)

     

     

    season cards already have the technolgy to make the turnstlye “go green”.

     

     

    i was interested in the 6 tickes on one screen, how can that possibly work, do you que up and pass the phone to each other to get through, that isnt speeding up anything.

     

     

    as a ps, the new arrangements for lower stabd entrace at libon lions is shambolic, a chicane of barries and closed segregation gates, with uniterested stewards,

     

     

    now how to get all the season card holders to actually turn up, that will be a question tabled tomorrow.

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