Back in 2011-12 when we were being told the SPL “needed a strong Rangers” a few of us insisted what it really needed was a strong Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hibs and Hearts. When the city clubs get their act together, they are more than capable of creating drama and competition. Unfortunately, despite regular reboots, each of these clubs have underachieved for decades.
Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts have been inconsistent this season, but at least occupy slots in the top six. After three successive wins, Dundee United looked to have secured their place in the Premiership, but defeat to St Johnstone and Ross County leaves them two points adrift in the automatic relegation spot with three to play. A season that started with a promising first leg win over AZ Alkmaar, could end seeing United pass Dundee on the way up.
This week Aberdeen declined an invitation to enter a B team into the proposed new fifth tier in the pyramid – the Conference League. They cite the cost of supporting what would be 55 players across both A and B teams, which I can see. Whatever the problems that inhibit our city clubs from dominating the likes of Ross County and Motherwell, diluting money on a wider pool of players doesn’t seem a likely fix.
Solutions exist. Alkmaar face West Ham tomorrow night in a European Conference League semi-final. They exist on an average attendance of 10,000, miles below what inconsistent Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen are achieving right now, and within the reach of a competent Dundee United. Like Aberdeen and United did 40 years ago, AZ understand scouting and player development on an elite level.
Competition that permits elite youth development to take place is lacking in our game, the Conference League is an attempt to fix this. But at first team level, our (other) city clubs are caught in short-termism, without learning or stability. 40 years on from Aberdeen in Gothenburg and United’s title win, too many of the clubs that should be competitive with Celtic have lost the knowledge of how to develop elite players and teams. So much comes down to ownership and the executive function. Football boardrooms are so hardy to learning and self-analysis, flooding the game with inefficiencies. Learn from Alkmaar, or as Celtic did, Manchester City.
The Road to Seville cyclists are (at time or writing) just a few hundred pounds short of raising £67k for the Foundation. Money has poured in from thousands of Celtic fans who have participated in the adventure. You can help push them over the £76k and beyond here and follow here on Twitter. Thank you.
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Interesting that Kyle Walker didnae overlap when he would have likely have done @ 0-0, 1-0. I can see Real coming into the game now and a goal will put doubt in City’s minds.
Thank goodness for Southampton. If not for them, I think our record in 67 would be being equalled by this city side.
Looks like City players are paying the price for the first half energy output.
Real destroyed
Good night all. It’s been a trying day.
How good is Man City 3/0 up coming near the end of the match,Ange should be looking there for some players 4/0 just there ,
Man city the team bankrolled by a small country……what chance do you have tbh!
Are they using EBTs annaw????
Hopefully Ange get a bumper contract ,along with substantial funds for new players this summer,also I would like to see a representative from the Celtic Supporters Association asking Dermot Desmond to give the go-ahead for fans facilities outside and inside Celtic Park.
Real engulfed made to look very ordinary.
Such a pity the Italian side of the draw didn’t put Napoli through instead of the financially doped Inter.
Man City v Napoli really would have been THE final.
As it is inter winning would have as much integrity as the Huns winning 2000-2012 or indeed Man City another questionable outfit Re FairPlay.
The great Real Madrid team died tonight, too many Galacticos getting old at the same time, Modric, Benzema, Kroos…
Ivan Toney should have stuck the heid on an opposing Manager…..it’s only a 6 game ban….
!!BADA BING!! on 17TH MAY 2023 11:15 PM
Ivan Toney should have stuck the heid on an opposing Manager…..it’s only a 6 game ban….
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😂😂😂👏
BB @ 11:15 Lol.
Man City must be favourites to win CL now.
Looking forward to seeing what Inter come up with.
But looking forward more to seeing the Celts in just under 63 hours from now.
Before I hit the sack …
Read an interesting article about possible player exchange involving João Cancelo and Kieran Tierney.
Might have been 67hailhail.
Might also just be paper talk.
If there is anything in it though …
… the article speculated we’d miss out on any sell on clause due to it being an exchange.
Respectfully to the author I’m not sure that is accurate.
Player values need to go onto balance sheets when acquired so, even if no money changed hands, it would be recorded as e.g. two £40m transfers.
Has been more common in Europe for a few years and, from link below, can be abused by those with more creative accounting
https://www.ft.com/content/0fc895b3-91a1-4ab9-a490-64e1df973a1d
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Good morning from a bright North Staffs
Man city’s legal team is their 12th man
What happened to the night shift?🤔
BRRB
Nightshift? What’s happened to the dayshift 🤔
James Milner anybody?
Gene – this James Miller?
😉
https://twitter.com/BoringMilner
I think Milner is going to Brighton
100 posts in 24 hours.
Are we expecting any announcements today re Ange signing a contract extension?
We do really need a boost to stop the Huns from extending their lead in the close season bragging championship?
‘GG on 18TH MAY 2023 11:37 AM
Are we expecting any announcements today re Ange signing a contract extension?
We do really need a boost to stop the Huns from extending their lead in the close season bragging championship?
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Lol.
Admire your positivity GG. 😉
I’d already given up any hope of winning that bauble.
If it was a handicap horse race we’d be carrying 80 kilos.
Happy Ascension Thursday
new article posted.
B2B
We need to increase the size of the publicity department to have them release spurious press releases about how we’re building a team to dominate Scottish football.
Oops. That’s already been done