When we drew Maribor I wrote about their performance in last season’s Europa League, when they were eliminated by eventual winners, Sevilla. Our man, Blaz, in Slovenia, also warned me that this was a settled team who had improved since ending Rangers’ interest in European football three years ago.
I watched Red Bull Salzburg destroy Ajax in Amsterdam last season with some sublime football, and my pal in Austria tells me not to put too much store in their 3-0 humbling by Malmo, who, apparently, rode their luck to an incredible degree. Having said that, on the balance of probabilities, they are by far the top seed we would have chosen.
As Croatia Zagreb, Dinamo Zagreb bossed Celtic out of the Champions League play-off round in 1998, our first attempt at the tournament. Zagreb’s stock has fallen since, so while you could make a good case to suggest we are far from ready to tackle any European team right now, this is a good draw. They are also not Legia Warsaw, which would have been an unwelcome confrontation at this time.
So far, so good. Then we draw a complete unknown from pot 4, who happened to eliminate Lyon in the last round.
Between now and the middle of next month Celtic have to be ready for these challenges. We have an opportunity to progress in the Europa League, earn some badly needed coefficient points, and revenue in the second half of the season.
Bring it on.
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The glorious balance sheet
a great post. Big Pedros strategy is worn out and long past its sell by date
I wont say he is fooling no one, because by reading on here we can see that he is still fooling some fholks.
But for me the best part of your post was highlighting Big Pedros failure to acknowledge that things could be better….. Until that is corrected Im not sure how we start correcting it again.
keep telling it like it is, the spin meisters days are numbered unless he embraces change.
A heartwarming tale
This morning I received a phone call from a gorgeous ex-girlfriend who called out-of-the-blue to see if I was still around.
We lost track of time, chatting about the wild, romantic times we used to enjoy together. I couldn’t believe it when she asked if I’d be interested in meeting up and rekindling a little of that old magic.
Wow! I was flabbergasted I don’t know if I could keep pace with you now, I said, I’m a bit older and a bit greyer and balder than when you last saw me. Plus I don’t really have the energy I used to have.
She just giggled and said she was sure I would rise to the challenge;Yeah I said, just so long as you don’t mind a man with a waistline that is a few inches wider these days! Not to mention my total lack of muscle tone…everything is sagging, my teeth are a bit yellowed and I am developing jowls like a Great Dane!
She laughed and told me to stop being so silly. She teased me saying that tubby grey haired older men were cute, and she was sure I would still be a great lover.
Anyway, she giggled, I’ve put on a few pounds myself…..
So I told her to feck off ………
HH
weet
:-):-):-)
weet weet weet
Can you give me her phone number?
WEET WEET WEET
Cracker,bud.
Now,off to watch MOTD,followed by a few cold ones.
Then back home in time to see Celtic.
Life is good.
The Glorious Balance Sheet
02:06
I wish someone would just read that post out to PL and co at the upcoming AGM.
Excellent.
reports saying scepovic has pulled out of signing for us..?
bleedin hell the epl is a hypefest
italiabhoy
07:49 on 31 August, 2014
reports saying scepovic has pulled out of signing for us..?
What rabbit will John Park pull out of the hat tomorrow?? Another last day of the window panic punt like Pukki or Lassad or Brozek??
Will RD actually have seen them play, or not, as is the case with Scepovic
ITALIABHOY
I can’t say that I blame him,tbh.
No player should want to join a team where he won’t have good players around him. And we can’t provide that.
That,as I’ve said before,is the problem with downsizing to the extent that we have.
It makes rebuilding very difficult indeed.
Not into the balance sheet but on the back of PL telling the media we lost 10m a year without the zombies found this on the huddleboard is the guy writing it on the money
This is from murphio on kds who works with one of the rags
Lawwell is currently on a charm offensive with the media. In another interview to be published tomorrow he has stated Celtic are losing 10m a season from Rangers being out of the SPL and in order to make that money up, he has to sell players. So, let’s have a small look at that particular claim. In 2009 Celtic’s turnover was 72.59 – with Rangers in the league. In 2010 Celtic’s turnover dropped to 61.7m – with Rangers in the league. In 2011 turnover was reduced again to 52.6m – with Rangers in the league and was a figure consolidated by the sales of McGeady and McManus.
Since Rangers’ demise we posted a small reduction in turnover in the following 2012 season (51.34m) but revenue was largely the same and included the sale of Ki. But in the following year, 2013, (with Champions League revenue coming back) we were back at 2009 levels (75.82m). What is clear to me (and I am sure the upcoming figures will see a similar trend) is that Rangers being out of the league is not a major factor in determining Celtic’s income levels. We generated £23m more last season than we did in 2011 with Rangers in the league. The only thing which really makes a significant difference to income levels is Champions League participation.
You also have to bear in mind that since Rangers’ demise Platini’s rule changes done Celtic a massive, massive favour. Back in 2010 – with Rangers in the League – Tony Mowbray had to face Arsenal for a place in the group stages. The introduction of a champions route has made participation in the group stages are much more attainable goal. On top of that, since Rangers’ demise, we have no competition for Scotland’s only Champions League place. We have effectively a free run at it.
This stuff about having to sell players now that Rangers are gone is – to put it mildly – a lot of crap. Their demise might have cost the club some money in the short term (if you take into account the 100 reduction on the season book and lost revenue from derby games) but the long term gain has been far, far greater. The Champions League is the only revenue stream we should be worrying about but thanks to the fact we have not only wiped out bank debt but are sitting on cash while neglecting the team, next year’s results are likely to be back at 2011 levels (with Rangers in the league).
Morning Bhoys. It does look as though Scepovic is stringing us along and is not signing as he has other offers.So looks like no striker will come in this window unless we panic buy.It is interesting to see that PL says the Rangers demise is costing us 10 million per annum. H.H.
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 3 results & standings
voguepunter takes the honours this week with Ocean Tempest @10/1.
Other winners : Eurochamps67 & Bull67 (B Fifty Two @7/2), Pfayr (Aktabantay @9/4), and timbhoy in Spain (Fintry @6/4).
+£18.00 tommytwiststommyturns (1)
+£ 8.00 voguepunter (1)
+£ 4.00 Che (1)
+£3.75 Eurochamps67 (2)
+£ 3.00 Zihuatanejo (1)
+£ 2.50 Cathal (1)
+£ 2.50 TheBarcaMole (1)
+£ 1.50 BULL67 (1)
+£ 1.00 Burgas Hoops (1)
+£ 1.00 Elharto (1)
+£ 0.75 leftclicktic (1)
+£ 0.75 som mes que un club (1)
+£ 0.25 PFayr (1)
-£ 0.50 timbhoy in spain (1)
-£ 1.27 What is the Stars (1)
-£ 3.00 16 roads
-£ 3.00 21-5-79
-£ 3.00 ABZMike
-£ 3.00 Bada Bing
-£ 3.00 BigJoe
-£ 3.00 BMCUWP
-£ 3.00 Celticrollercoaster
-£ 3.00 Cosy Corner Bhoy
-£ 3.00 fleagle1888
-£ 3.00 green T
-£ 3.00 Gweedore Celt
-£ 3.00 hashadenough
-£ 3.00 Hotel de Paris
-£ 3.00 Hutchybhoy
-£ 3.00 Jobo Baldie
-£ 3.00 Nye Beavans rebel soldier
-£ 3.00 Raymac
-£ 3.00 Rockon
-£ 3.00 twists n turns
*No selection posted (wk 3) : BigJoe, Elharto, Raymac
Cheers, fleagle1888
Without a new striker signing surely we cant let both Pukki and Griffiths go as it would leave us short up front ? H.H.
joe filippis haircut
08:16 on 31 August, 2014
Griffiths going would be madness if no one else is coming in, especially on a loan deal. Pukki, who would notice? We’d be better bringing in a youth player.
Noticed you never mentioned Balde there!, ;-)
Good Luck to Celtic today and the new Ghanian
Liewells propaganda round with the papers can wait to later. The man has no shame.
WeefratheTim
00:46 on 31 August, 2014
‘I would rather have the “real labour, working class labour” party back in power in my beloved country. ‘
###
What makes you think the Labour Party would be any different is a separate Scotland?
The people at the top at the moment, Brown, Darling, Murphy etc etc are Scottish. They emerged from the Scottish political landscape.
The idea that they’d be replaced by some Red Clydeside type firebrands is just delusional.
Morning CQN
Congrats to VP and his imaginary winner in the naps, whilst PL is also imagining stories as well.
HH
CRC
We surly need to hang on to Griffiths and play him in the striker role and not as a winger I believe he would get us goals it seems Rony doesnt agree. H.H.
Good morning friends from a completely clear skied, sun kissed, dry and warm* East Kilbride.
* – for 8.25 on the last day of August.
weet
Yeah keep your standards up bhoy!
JFH
Problem with Griff at the moment is that his beer-gut would show offside.
Apart from that,a kick up the arse re his attitude and commitment,and he is far and away our best striking option.
Keep him,but manage him better,IMO.
KEVTIC
I’m a great believer in not lowering my standards,mate.
Sadly,so too are the women I chat up.
Gaary67. I would let Balde go he is costing us and he is never imo going to get regular first team football at Celtic.H.H.
joe filippis haircut.
I predict a riot!
We have too many players if about 6 or 7 went no one would notice.
I was at the Hibs game yesterday they need as much help as possible. I would let them have their pick of the players we don’t need.
I was one who thought Griffiths would be a good signing. Yes he will score but his all round ability is not up to it.
lennon’s passion
08:10 on
31 August, 2014
Good post LP, if PL is going down the route of Sevco are Scotlands and Celtics financial saviour he will anger season ticket holders, our footballing and fan strategies at Celtic are in urgent need of an overhaul, we are not buying the spin Peter!!!
sipsini. As long as we win today at Dens we should be fine however,if we dont win the blog and our supporters could go in to melt down.I dont think todays game will be easy and will Rony risk playing VVD if he is for the off tomorrow ? H.H.
ItaliaBhoy
07:49 on 31 August, 2014
‘reports saying scepovic has pulled out of signing for us..?’
######
By ‘reports’ do you mean internet rumours?
It does though seem very drawn out, so hardly surprising people are asking questions.
Maybe he’s waiting for a better offer, or maybe Celtic are holding off confirming the deal to the last minute so we’ve got something to be happy about when he window SLAMS shut, or maybe the medical showed up something that needs further investigation.
I just hope if he does sign we’re get a credible and acceptable explanation for the delay, otherwise they’ll be doubts about his commitment.
http://sporting.elcomercio.es/noticias/201408/31/scepovic-pospone-traspaso-celtic-20140831004724-v.html
Scepovic story. From Spanish press.
Has anyone read the Peter Lawwell article in the Herald?
It’s behind a wall and I ain’t going there.
weet weet weet @ 6.10 – cracker!
ernie lynch. There is a bit about the transfer on News Now Celtic and appears the player wont sign at the moment as he wants to look at all his options.H.H.
Sunday Herald
Peter Lawwell admits Rangers’ absence from top-flight has left Celtic with a £10m black hole
PETER LAWWELL last night admitted for the first time that Celtic are being forced into selling players to make up for a £10 million black hole caused by the annual absence of Rangers from the top flight of Scottish football.
The Ibrox club, still attempting to stabilise themselves after administration and liquidation, are currently in their third season outwith the top division, with no guarantees of an immediate return next year. While Celtic have offset such losses with enough Champions League revenue to build up a modest cash reserve, Lawwell also concedes they must compensate for the annual shortfall through player transfers.
“When Rangers went down we took £100 off the season tickets,” Lawwell said. “So that is £4m for two years. The Rangers games, that is at least another £3m. The fact there is a perception among our supporters that there is no competition and you are going to win anyway, and you don’t go to the game, so it could be £10m. We could have lost £10m a year, quite easily, on the back of Rangers going down.”
The Celtic chief executive has been the target of supporter criticism following the second leg Champions League qualifying defeat to Maribor at Celtic Park on Tuesday night, but it was typical of him that he should mount such a spirited defence of the club’s operation in the shrinking Scottish marketplace. This relies heavily on John Park’s recruitment arm to locate young talents at bargain prices then sell them on for greater sums.
The multi-million mark-up on Victor Wanyama is arguably their greatest single piece of business, and further profits – however reluctantly – may yet be gleaned before tomorrow night’s transfer deadline by the sale of Virgil van Dijk to either Sunderland or Newcastle.
However, criticism continues to linger over the lack of Scottish signings. Leigh Griffiths, a £750,000 recruit from Wolves in January, is the only senior Scottish player the club have signed in the last three seasons.
“We’d love to have Scottish players,” said Lawwell. “It’s not like we are fascinated with going foreign all the time. But our guys don’t think they are good enough. Stevie May, Johnny Russell…these guys aren’t in the Scotland team. Then Callum McGregor comes along and he is in the Scotland team.”
He added: “It is difficult to plan with the uncertainties, the risk.We don’t think we are God’s gift, we don’t think the strategy is flawless.”
While admitting the club have failed to adequately replace Gary Hooper – the incoming Stefan Scepovic may do so, albeit a couple of weeks too late – Lawwell remains convinced his club’s strategy is the most sensible way in which to navigate these Rangers-less, times.
Yet while he rails against the club’s inability to compete with Barclays Premier League or even Championship salaries without breaking his own wage structure, he cannot run away from the fact that the likes of Legia Warsaw and Maribor themselves are unable to compete financially with Celtic.
Rather than any systemic problem, Lawwell puts that down to plain old transition in the manager’s office.
Neil Lennon, Gordon Strachan and Martin O’Neill all experienced identical traumas in early-season Champions League qualifying ties and lived to tell the tale. “It happened to Gordon, 5-0 against Artmedia Bratislava,” said Lawwell.
“It happened to Neil Lennon, with Utrecht, Braga and Sion, and it happened to Martin against Basel and we never threw the towel in. It is transition. In big clubs, it takes time.”
It has been a whirlwind 10 weeks for Ronny Deila so far, but the Norwegian will get the time he demands to put his stamp on things. as he now surveys a season in the Europa League, matches which pit the club against Dinamo Zagreb, FC Salzburg and FC Astra of Romania. “We played Astra with Stromsgodset in January and beat them 1-0 with youngsters, but they were a good team,” he said.
First, though, comes the challenge of Paul Hartley’s Dundee at Dens Park this lunchtime. Deila will name a full-strength team and is desperate to avoid a repeat of last week’s humbling at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. “We’re going to go into that game with everything we have,” said the Norwegian. “We’re not going to do the same thing as we did against Inverness. We’ll see how good Dundee is, we’re going to attack them to try to win the game.”
If Van Dijk leaves in the next 24 hours, it will be against the will of the club, who feel they could maximise their money by keeping him for another season.
There may be at least one other arrival, most likely a loan deal for a Premier League defender deemed surplus to his club’s 25-man squad, while young players are likely to leave the club on loan for experience, as are the likes of Amido Balde who are too far out of the first team picture.
One area in which the chief executive is prepared to indulge his coach is over the creation of a full-size under-cover pitch at Lennoxtown.
“It is a big thing for the manager. We can’t buy the best, we have to create it,” said Lawwell. “So any facility which allows us to create better players then of course we will look at it.”
Google translate. He’s hedging his bets by the sounds of it.
The Serbian passed a medical yesterday in Madrid, but postponed the signing of commitment pending you get a better deal
The outcome of the ‘ soap opera ‘ summer will have to wait . At least one more day. Scepovic has decided to postpone until tomorrow a move to Celtic . The Sporting striker still scotch club and agree negotiated economic terms , but the Serbian striker postpones signing his contract with the possibility that you get a better deal .
The striker spent yesterday in Madrid medical. It was the final step towards Stefan Scepovic must sign the contract with Catholic team Glasgow. The , more complicated , above steps were already taken : Sporting and Celtic agreed ( Atletico receive 2.5 million for the transfer , plus 5% on a future sale of the player) ; Serbia agreed to the bid submitted by the Scots and already had a visa to play in the Scottish Premier League . Missing the medical examination , which finally happened yesterday successfully in a Madrid clinic .
However, Serbia has decided to postpone the signing of his new contract . The Serbian is given until tomorrow , when the transfer market closes, to seal their commitment to Glasgow. Stefan wants to exhaust the term with the possibility that in the next few hours can reach out an offer that improves Celtic . Besides the set Betis also showed interest in PSV Eindhoven Serbian , German Eintracht ( who came to offer 1.5 million), Twente and Werder Bremen.
Given this scenario, Scepovic has preferred to wait 48 hours to proceed with the signing of his contract. If you do not get a better offer , the Serbian will Celtic player tomorrow .
The outcome of the ‘soap opera’ summer will have to wait. At least one more day. Scepovic has decided to postpone until tomorrow a move to Celtic. The Sporting striker still scotch club and agree negotiated economic terms, but the Serbian striker postpones signing his contract with the possibility that you get a better deal.
The striker spent yesterday in Madrid medical. It was the final step towards Stefan Scepovic must sign the contract with Catholic team Glasgow. The, more complicated, above steps were already taken: Sporting and Celtic agreed (Atletico receive 2.5 million for the transfer, plus 5% on a future sale of the player); Serbia agreed to the bid submitted by the Scots and already had a visa to play in the Scottish Premier League. Missing the medical examination, which finally happened yesterday successfully in a Madrid clinic.
However, Serbia has decided to postpone the signing of his new contract. The Serbian is given until tomorrow, when the transfer market closes, to seal their commitment to Glasgow. Stefan wants to exhaust the term with the possibility that in the next few hours can reach out an offer that improves Celtic. Besides the set Betis also showed interest in PSV Eindhoven Serbian, German Eintracht (who came to offer 1.5 million), Twente and Werder Bremen.
TRADE According to what, in the last hours some Spanish club have also asked about the front, but interest remained just that, words.
Given this scenario, Scepovic has preferred to wait 48 hours to proceed with the signing of his contract. If you do not get a better offer, the Serbian will Celtic player tomorrow.
http://sporting.elcomercio.es/notici…1004724-v.html
ernie lynch
08:20 on
31 August, 2014
You well know thousands of Labour party members have left the Scottish Labour party in the last decade, they are looking for the real Labour party to return, the vote on 18th September if Yes will see huge changes in the Scottish Labour party
lionroars67
08:41 on 31 August, 2014
Thanks for that.
It’s almost as though the board want Sevco in the league.
Whoever would have thunk it?