Apart from international breaks, when much of the squad is away, this is the first midweek Celtic do not have a game in over three months. For Wilfried Nancy, it is the first opportunity he has to spend time with the players without the pressure of preparing for a game, or recovering from a chastening experience. Christmas Day aside, this will be one of the most intense period of development since Ange first said, “Let me explain about inverted full-backs.”
Anything that can be achieved at Lennoxtown is likely to be needed ahead of the next three games. I hope someone has a word with Wilfried about Livingston. He is unlikely to have faced such a negative and timewasting side in his coaching career. Coming from the North American game, he will be familiar with plastic pitches, which adds an extra challenge to the occasion. Motherwell and Newco are far better teams, but they may present more straightforward propositions.
The point was made to me after Sunday’s win that it is clear how much the players are fighting for him. Without that commitment, teams do not make so many chances or get late winners. The lack of fight which some of us thought evident at Hampden a week earlier, was replaced by persistent pressure.
Adversity binds people, even those with little in common. The horrendous treatment Wilfried endured at Tannadice was either going to break or make his relationship with the players. Hopefully for all concerned, it is the latter.
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Turkeybhoy on 23rd December 2025 10:49 pm
Auldheid,
Please correct me.
We took in 30 million Euros in transfers.Could we not have spent this amount.
We spent 15 million,on Tounetki and Balikwisha,a couple of Japanese projects.
That’s a 15 million shortfall.?
========
Something on those lines and by not spending up to the FSR limit, profit (which does not go out of Celtic) is created.
Which fits one of my questions.
I reckon there is more than enough “headroom” between current earnings to spend this window. However, aye there is always a however.
In procedural terms Celtic have to watch what they do spend to attract players better than the two you named as they would command much higher wages over next 3 years.
The football earnings next year will drop as will likely be the case over a 3 year contract, so Celtic have to budget on what they think future income will be as the FSR ceiling will lower but the wages will not.
I am not saying Celtic will be in breach, I am saying that based on estimated future earnings sustainable wages over 3 (or 4) years will be a factor to consider.
I reckon we can spend more than we have done in the past with higher earnings and higher % limits of 90% and 80% and I do not know why we did not, but with earnings going down and wages up there will be less headroom until we get into the CL without having to qualify.
My other point is that if there is a scenario where income drops to a level where wages cannot be met from estimated income then Celtic will sell any player that will fetch a price to use the profit to cover the shortfall.
At the end of the day there is a limit to what Celtic can spend and the difference might not be enough to attract first team starters so a punt is taken on players with promise to become more valuable.
Its as if the earnings are water going into a closed garden fountain that circulates it internally to keep the fountain working. The idea that anything more than a small trickle of football earnings ends up in Directors pockets that fuels anger in some just ain’t so.
It is also possible that the even by going to the FSR limit Celtic will not attract enough real quality to go up a level in Europe, so why take the risk?
Apart from that having to qualify for the CL is a risk that went away but is now back.
That is my understanding of how it works but I would love Celtic to explain how they see it, but they might not be believed or supporters might not want to follow Celtic once they know how the business works in practice.
I think Celtic have nothing to worry about in the latter case if what they are doing makes sense. If only they were trusted.
If a teacher, learning assistance, youth worker or any other working with children (who daily face much more abuse, intimidation and/or more serious violent behaviour than those stewards) had manhandled that boy, in the manner the stewards did, they would face criminal charges and most definitely dismissal.
Maybe common sense could be added to the stewards handbook.
Kev J
The Gates guys linked with the Spanish flu seem not to be related to Bill Gates.
Or is that where Milton Jones got his “other grandfather” jokes from ?
Tounetki – comes on a sub after 88 mins – Tunisia win 3-1
Balikwisha – unused sub – Congo DR beat Benin 1-0
spikeysauldman on 23rd December 2025 11:47 pm
Kev J
“The Gates guys linked with the Spanish flu seem not to be related to Bill Gates.
Or is that where Milton Jones got his “other grandfather” jokes from ?”
……
I can’t be sure Spikeys, but this guy from this link seems to be getting under BG’s skin.
https://x.com/tpvsean/status/2002478947724926992#m
HH
oot.
if not true, how can you trust tpvsean on anything else ?
spikeysauldman on 24th December 2025 12:13 am
“if not true, how can you trust tpvsean on anything else ?”
…….
First time that I have heard of, Milton Jones, who he?
Sean is being persecuted for revealing that ALL VPN’s have backdoors in them and to whom, so the spyware is outed.
Anybody who unmasks these creatures is a good yin in my book.
That is why bot-farms have been sent to smear his message.
HH
oot
Why was wee Greta promoted to divine level as a 14 year old, with the Global Warming scam, but she is now 22 yoa and is a heretic, for standing with the Palestine Hunger Strikers in the eyes of these establishment evangelizing clowns???????
https://x.com/DerbyChrisW/status/2003568080413495721#m
HH
oot.
Auldheid @ 9:39 pm,
Hope you are all sorted for the festive season.
”You do fellow supports no good service turning FSR into what it is not an excuse.
I know why I mention it, to help understanding of why Celtic do what they do.
What is your intent?”
My intent was a wee bit of festive banter…
On your more serious note, it is to clarify to Celtic supporters that are not aware – most are – that it was just that, an excuse and a poor one is well, let me explain…
This is Celtic PLC’s statement from the 6th Sept. Which stated…
”…Further, the Club’s model is not optional – it is now essential as a consequence of the UEFA Sustainability Regulations, with which the Club must comply. Wages and transfer spending are strictly governed by UEFA’s regulations, which effectively cap wages and transfer spending as a proportion of our revenues.
Importantly, the Club’s cash reserves are not relevant to the assessment of this de facto spending cap for the purposes of the UEFA regulations.
Therefore, all investment decisions must be, and are, guided by responsible forecasts of future revenues and cash flow, which by their nature are volatile. We can never compromise the financial integrity of the Club. In short, throwing money at transfers and contracts is not a sustainable route to success, as many other clubs have found to the detriment of their supporters.
Over many years, careful management of the Club’s model has allowed the Club to remain debt-free and to build strong cash reserves. It is important to remain disciplined in our approach. The cash reserves reflected in our accounts exist for the continuous improvement of Celtic Football Club and to manage the inherent volatility within football. These funds are used in a measured fashion for investment in recruitment, infrastructure, and long-term development.”
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/september/06/celtic-football-club-statement/
Here is what Paul67’s said about the statement 6th Sept, what do you think his intent was? I took it to clarify the true position.
Empty statements will not endure
”Saturday night statements are not a sign things are running smoothly inside Celtic Park. It would not have been anyone’s first choice but the statement issued by the club was a reaction to events. As an explainer, it missed the target.
Celtic are not in any medium term risk of transgressing Uefa Financial Sustainability Regulations, in fact, we are the poster child of financial responsibility.
https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/empty-statements-will-not-endure/
I’m in total agreement with Paul67 on this.
Celtic are not in danger of transgressing FSR.
Turkeybhoy @10:49 pm
Please correct me.
We took in 30 million Euros in transfers.Could we not have spent this amount.
We spent 15 million,on Tounetki and Balikwisha,a couple of Japanese projects.
That’s a 15 million shortfall.?
He’s correct, isn’t he?
Selling players brings in footballing revenue and because, season book sales, merchandising, broadcasting rights etc, etc, are classified as footballing revenue as well and we are allowed to spend up to 70% of footballing revenue on the UEFA squad.
This is how much footballing revenue we brought in last year.
Circa £140,000,000.00
80% of that is…
Circa £112,000,000.00
We spent less than 50% on the squad, so huge headroom.
Auldheid @ 11:38 pm,
”Turkeybhoy on 23rd December 2025 10:49 pm,
”My other point is that if there is a scenario where income drops to a level where wages cannot be met from estimated income then Celtic will sell any player that will fetch a price to use the profit to cover the shortfall.
Well that is always an option, as it is Celtic PLC’s stated aim to sell HVPs when the time is “optimal”, then the Board’s current player trading model already encompasses.
During Brendan Rodgers tenure, we brought…
Circa £130,000,000.00
…in on player sales, so that is not an issue, quite the opposite – why wouldn’t we reinvest in the playing squad?
You will see some rather mixed messaging in this regard on the PLC’s statement, on one hand they say; ”Importantly, the Club’s cash reserves are not relevant to the assessment of this de facto spending cap for the purposes of the UEFA regulations.
Yet a couple of paragraphs later they state; ”These funds [strong cash reserves] are used in a measured fashion for investment in recruitment, infrastructure, and long-term development.
Surely if they wish to use use the funds for recruitment but can’t do that as reserves, it would be better they invested the monies in the playing squad when it is classified as football revenue, that way in the highly unlikely event that any serious misadventure that befell the Club could be negated by the sale of these players.
The wages should not be an issue.
Last season Celtic FC played in the UCL, got a lot of football revenue from that, they also got significant bonus payments for wins and draws.
The players, would, quite rightly, have earned more by taking part in the UCL and by their performances’ gaining points.
As they will get less money this year as we are playing in the UEL and our win/draw bonuses will be significantly less.
This is just good accounting 101, any accountant worth their salt will be able to manage the wage bill within the reasonable parameters of our large FSR headroom.
Prestonpans bhoys @ 10:43 pm,
Auldheid on 23rd December 2025 10:14 pm,
”Give it a rest , you tried this FSR subjective argument on SC, without success.”
As PPB says, we had this debate after the statement was released and it was clearly ascertained that you had been counterfactual in your claims on FSR – I maybe misremembering, but it seemed to me you accepted the counter argument, which was very detailed in financial information and supporting facts.
So, it’s not really a case of what my intent is, it is a case of why have you reverted back to your mistaken position?
Hail Hail
Good Morning Celts – Grand Day To Be A Tim,
The Bada Bing @ 11:27,
Great stuff – holding them to account.
Whatever that technique those stewards were using, it wasn’t officially trained and is in no manuel.
You can see the lady that’s pitch side, either police or senior steward, looking on wanting to intervene but feeling she couldn’t – that’s a ridiculous state of affairs.
Aff oot.
Hail Hail
From BBC WN piece yesterday
Celtic have been profligate in the four defeats and one win Nancy has overseen, while a total of 29 goals from 17 league games is down 19 from the same stage last season.
When you read it in black and white it’s just staggering that the board/exec allowed this to happen. Happily selling goals without adequate proven replacements – what did they expect would happen? And remember this is in SPFL not Europe so not like the quality of opposition has changed…..
However let’s not be having any critical discussion and just be thankful we are so well managed financially and not bankrupt – where’s that petition?
KevJungle on 23rd December 2025 11:15 pm
“PS, Auldheid, this auld fella called, “God”, gave me a thing callled an, “Immune System”, dunno if you have ever heard of it before but I would imagine he would have given you one as well?!”
If you believe that, then you must also believe that “GOD” gave us the viruses that are overcoming our “Immune System” as well, por cierto.
Does anyone on hear think tidsdale and Nicholson have the players we need urgently ,lined up ready to come in ?
Here
Dessybhoy
some folk believe in Father Christmas….
Spikey
But the window isn’t open then
smoking will kill you …bacon will kill you…but smoking bacon will cure it…
Listening to WN he’s assessing his squad which will be music to the ears of the money men, maybe if he spoke to MON or Shaun Maloney he would be more aware of the abilities of the players plus it wasn’t bad luck that misses chances consistently it’s a lack of finishing ability
missed
“vale bhoy on 23rd December 2025 11:42 pm
If a teacher, learning assistance, youth worker or any other working with children (who daily face much more abuse, intimidation and/or more serious violent behaviour than those stewards) had manhandled that boy, in the manner the stewards did, they would face criminal charges and most definitely dismissal.”
I don`t KNOW what the `boy` did and I feel without that knowledge, perhaps we should hold off on criticism of the Stewards.
Also, do you think it right that teachers etc SHOULD face criminal charges/dismissal in such a situation?
Have to go now but will look for any response later.
Cheerio for now.
Whether the stewards were right or wrong it looked terrible
Infact, it was inflammatory and stupid considering recent interactions between fans and stewards
It could have developed into a few fans coming out of the stands to have a pop
Much easier to let him go, he was easily identifiable and deal with the situation with a ban after the fact
Everything is “inflammatory” to the permanently offended.
7 days and the countdown begins.Nicholson and Tidsdale at the moment being forcibly restrained as they struggle,Chequebook in hand,against their fetters,desperate to throw themselves into the mad,orgiastic world of the fabled,January Window.
Hold fast lads,take great care,dangers and pitfalls await innocents abroad,such as yourselves.
The Window is filled with scurvy Agents,dastardly deviants,and the most horrific of all,.PROJECTS !!!!!!!!!.When tempted beyond endurance to keep your hands in your pockets remember the fate that could await your loved ones,families and friends from the ” Orrible Oardes” that await the news on your return.
The Blogger,
Yes,and nothing is ” Inflammatory” to the permanently stupid.
Chairbhoy
How is it mistaken?
Show me from UEFA rules where I am wrong and I will change my mind.
The previous conversation was about this season.
I am explaining how FSR wotks so supporters can have a better understanding of the process.
EACH annual licensing cycle the information in a clubs accounts for the previous year are used to determine football earnings defined in UEFA regs.
In 2026 this years accounts will be used and 70% of that determines the amount that can be spent on players.
In 2027 and for as long as Celtic are not in CL football earnings will drop so less to spend on players unless player sales compensate.
Any players signed now on high wages on 3 year contract will be in playing squad in 2027.
To make sure there is no possibility of FSR breach those players cannot be signed on wages that are not sustainable in 2027.
Now go back and read what I said which never said Celtic would be in breach at any time.
That assumes no major shortfall in ST sales yet that possibility is being discussed.
I”m just explaining using an illustratve figure to make understanding easier.
So you ask me why I do thid.
Its simple to inform supporters how FSR works. See response to Turkeybhoy question.
Its that simple.
Did you read my post about why I got involved on social media in the first place?
It was to help address issues raised on line for the benefit for supporters and no one else.
How are you helping by constant sniping whenever I say anything that does not fit with your agenda, whatever that is.
What I thought we had agreed was Celtic had nothing to worry about under high football earnings but in planning ahead they have to take into account future earnings which is what I explained.
What is sinister about that?
When you keep questioning my motives it is because you do not trust me.
I think I would be forgiven for not trusting yours which is a diplomatic way of saying gies peace.
Chairbhoy
To be pedantic read the 6th Sept statement again.
Not anywhere did it state Celtic would be in breach this season.
If I remember correct the word future was used but social media jumped on the mention of FSR and accused Celtic of lying in a Huddleboard popdcast by Alan Morrison and Juco James.
I got in touch with them to provide the full context and to be careful of the words they used.
They did not dispute my point and were happy with my clarification.
If it was good enough for them it is good enough for me to share.
new article posted.
KevJungle
PS, Auldheid, this auld fella called, “God”, gave me a thing callled an, “Immune System”, dunno if you have ever heard of it before but I would imagine he would have given you one as well?!
==//
Here is a really funny thing.
As most folk know I had succesfull treatment for cancer by NHS Angels.
I called them that throughout the treatment when expressing my gratitude to them for caring.
However that treatment reduced my immune system but the after care saw that and so I was vacciinated to help my immune system cope with winter ills that get more dangerous in advancing years.
Funny how life works intit?
Here is a wee story I last told to a nurse last week explaining why I used the term Angels.
There is a man on the roof of his house taking refuge from riding flood water.
A neighbour comes by in a canoe and shouts ” Jump in, I will take us to safety:
The man on roof replies ” its ok, God will save me.”
The waters rise and guy is on highest part of roof when a police speed boat arrives.
Same as before ” God will save me”
Half an hour later he is clinging to chimney stack when a helicopter drops a rope ladder shouting “climb up” but gets same reply. ” God will save me”
Sure enough the man is swept away to drown but just before he goes under he cries ” God, why did you not save me”
The clouds part a sunbeam comes through and God replies.
:Who do you think sent you a canoe, a speed boat and a helicopter”?
kevjungle- the poor of Bangladesh are suffering as a result of climate change + sea level rises.
My first world problem – get through SEVEN BRIDES AND SEVEN BROTHERS for the umpteenth time.