Last year it was the Ange Homecoming Tour to Sydney. In the summer, we are off to Ange’s more recent home, Japan, as well as Korea. Stuck in a small league with a TV deal that is predicated on the value of a handful of games, we need to look for new markets.
I know there has been some scepticism at the club that there will be sustainable commercial value in Japan. As we know well, players can go as quick as they came, which makes it precarious to plan Asian tours on having a local interest to sell. Still, we have a responsibility to try.
Kyogo, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Tomoki Iwata all featured in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final. Yuki Kobayashi was on the bench and is set to play in our remaining six fixtures this season, including the Cup Final. While Celtic still hold the registration of Yosuke Ideguchi, he is on loan in his homeland and is unlikely to return to Glasgow. That’s five players from Japan with successful narratives about Celtic to Japanese consumers, players and agents. Japan’s representation in next season’s Champions League will overwhelmingly come through Celtic.
Demographics are important. There are 125m people in Japan, 23 times more than Scotland, and on average, they have far more disposable income. Madrid, Munich and the EPL will always get most eyeballs there, but we are now in the conversation. A great deal of work has also been put into the commercial side, before we even reached this stage. We have travelled to Japan and business contacts have come to Celtic Park.
Penetration of the South Korea market is in gestation, by comparison. Hyeongyu Oh is only just in the door and there are no hard suggestions we will sign more of his compatriots. Still, it is another large (population 51m) and wealthy market.
The great migration of Scots to North America began to wind down 40 years ago, it is unlikely that market will contribute as much to the club going forward as it has since the onset of internet access and multi-channel TV. If there is nothing to be achieved in foreign markets, fair enough, but as I said, we have to try.
Road to Seville
It’s just three days until the cyclists leave from Celtic Park bound for Seville. Today we hear from Brian O’Shea, who started cycling just three years ago and now faces an unimaginable task – all to aid the work of the Celtic FC Foundation. You can hear Brian’s story below, and just as importantly, you can support the work of the Foundation, your Foundation, here.
Many thanks for all the support towards the cyclists. Keep in touch with their journey on Twitter: @Road2Seville23
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As I was watching the under 18 game last night it showed Ange sitting in the stand a couple of times.
How much of a boost must that have given those young men (although made them nervous) to see that the 1st team manager took the time to come and watch them strut their stuff. A massive boost.
But wait no Mr Beale???
Is he so self centred and so much of a narcissist that he coukd not be bothered, was he washing his mole.
No offence to any ordinary person with a mole.
D :)
THEBHOYFROMU.N.C.L.E on 3RD MAY 2023 8:49 PM
Linda Lovelace goes down too easy again……
……………
Steady there young fella !
LOL
Good Wan Mate.
HH
Very enjoyable Youth Cup Final.
ZAK LOVELACE of the Huns goes down quicker than ” BIG LEGGY” !
Well done to the young Celtic Men, its always great whenever The GOOD ….TRIUMPHS over EVIL.
HH to the Celtic BHOYS.
Poor management by the Huns Youth Manager…..
Maybe he SHOULD have taken LOVELACE OFF, after his 1st Yellow Card for Diving.
A right Pair of CHUMPS !
LOL
HH.
Good morning all from Dublin. Celtic ladies v hun hairies tonight at 7pm. Meeting Almore and Coneybhoy for a few beers. Let the good times roll.
Can’t recall an incidence of a player diving twice, 2 yellows and therefore sent off.
Is this worth an extra star on their shirts, world first?
BIGRAILROADBLUES on 4TH MAY 2023 8:11 AM
“Good morning all from Dublin. Celtic ladies v hun hairies tonight at 7pm. Meeting Almore and Coneybhoy for a few beers. Let the good times roll.”
Have a great day lads! por cierto
FLOATIN
I thought the ref was extremely brave brandishing two yellows to lovelace……
He missed a petulant kick from him on our first keeper as the keeper clutched ball and fell, as he got up lovelace was jogging away and had a fly kick at him.
Rip Jim McGuire
Who in 1967 driving his Hillman Imp led a procession of Celtic fans to Lisbon
Rest in peace good Celt
HH
Lovelace diving is like a new signing.
News that AJ will miss the next 4 weeks allows us to play Ralston away to Hearts and Sevco. Kobayashi will be starting in place of CCV. I’d also start Iwata at Ibrox, even maybe Bernabie.
While Ange will no doubt want to win at Ibrox, it does give us an opportunity to blood some squad members with an eye toward next season. Why not use Ibrox to bring on our new squad additions ?
Joking aside this is an issue for the young man moving forward.
Social media, live TV coverage of the game.
Puts disproportionate focus on boys.
He’ll carry this label from now on.
In that respect I have some sympathy for him.
After all ….
He only did what he was coached to do.
As for Madden, be in no doubt …
… This podcast and online article are groundwork for coming home.
Complete with
“an honest Scot can’t get an even break down south” bull5h1t narrative.
Remains to be seen in what capacity.
Grade one ref or Shortbread pundit?
So Boaby ……..when Celtic play *the rangers who do you prefer to win?………..eh St Mirren, just like Chic.
pantsonfire csc
THEBHOYFROMU.N.C.L.E 9:33 AM
So Boaby ……..when Celtic play *the rangers who do you prefer to win?………..eh St Mirren, just like Chic.
———
Yip.
Standard Operating Procedure.
Based on an old approach used by Young.
Updated and refreshed for modernity.
Foster – ah but he also played for Aberdeen
Thomson – ah but he also played for Dundee United
McCann – ah but he also played for Hearts and managed 🤦 Dundee.
So Boaby , the English refs assessment procedure , you didn’t like it ?
No there was to many different sides involved , I prefer the Scottish procedure , your mate from the ludge sits in the stand , then gives you good marks , no complicated is it ?
CELTIC LADIES v HUN HAIRIES…
Tonght on SKY Sports Kick Aff is 7.00pm.
BET365 have the Scary Hun Hairies as SLIGHT Favourites.
My few shillings are on the GOOD GALS.
HH.
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 4TH MAY 2023 9:40 AM
Yip……….X2
HH
Who asked me anyway ?
Good to see the non timmy first names Findlay, Bailey, tyler and Cameron take a beating………….well done Kyle.
Pretty sure Thomson is a Buddie and McCann was a Celtic fan, not sure he is now.
Foster is a Rangers man alright
Out of the 3 , I prefer to listen to Foster.
McCann is obsessed with pointing out he did his badges , managed a club and understands tactics. He doth protest too much and I suspect he is thick as a bar of soap
Welsh left Lennoxtown yesterday with his leg in a brace, having a scan today but looks like he’ll miss a few weeks for sure.
Watched the youth team yesterday evening. Be lucky if one of those bhoys make it into our first team. If I had to pick one bhoy from the bunch it has to be mitchell frame, very quick, good timing/ movement and very good touch. If that is his standard at that age then he has a chance. I don’t know if that is what he normally produces. Several others look good as well and are just as likely to make it.
Like every developing player they will need ability to met opportunity with a dose of luck added.
HH
So bobby as a neutral with a little claimed saint mirren supporting past who do you want to win ?
Well that’s as easy as abc.
Anyone but celtic
DAVID66 @ 7:00 AM,
Hope all’s good…
Ange is sending a powerful message that mirrors the promotion of Rocco Vata.
We have let a brilliant asset in our club languish since Tommy became a first team coach all those years ago, far too long imo.
Let’s hope Ange gets the “academy” back on track.
I always remember Newco Rangers’ first major game – it was when the youths of the fledgling club played us in the Glasgow Cup final.
Not only was Walter Smith there, he went into their dressing room and gave their youths a prep talk
Subsequently “the Rangers were back” to winning ways.
These things are important and Ange knows it!!
Have a grand day celts….
Hail Hail
Greenpinata
“Could that be one reason why Scott Bain is still our number 2 and James Forrest is still in the equation?”
——————————
Don’t think so- we get to field 2 sub keepers in the CL- so both Bain and Siegriest were on the bench in some CL Group games.
I have my doubts that Siegriest is a much better keeper than Bain. What is that Based on? Siegriest had no career to speak of until he arrived at United. Half a season with Solihull Moors and one season with a Liechtenstein club in the Swiss league. He has managed one LC appearance for us (and conceded a goal). He has no experience at all in European competition. I fear his reputed ability is a myth up there with how we viewed Liam Henderson and Javier Broto.
Scott Bain played regularly for all his clubs until he left Dundee to go on loan, briefly to Hibs and then to us. He has played 49 times for us between 2018 and 2022, including 12 European appearances with a record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats (I can’t find his 12th appearance). He also has 3 full caps for Scotland and is acknowledged as a good dressing room presence.
Ben Siegriest has done nothing yet for Celtic and though we will be looking to have Joe Hart challenged soon, I suspect neither of these keepers will be the one to do it. I am sure Ange has scouted some prospects for next season.
There is an image of jota celebrating his goal against the Huns circulating on Social Media highlighting that one of the likes came from Zak Lovelace the guy sent off in the Youth Cup Final last night, apparently the Celtic Captain is a huge Hun fan coming from a staunch Loyalist Family but at that level kids just want to make a career for themselves and they will play for whichever Club gives them a chance
To the Celtic Ladies tonight.
If any of you are lurking : May the 4th be with you.
HH.
CC,
I really struggle to iaccept that a “staunch loyalist”family would support a kid, grandkid, a brother, a nephew , playing for anything called Celtic.
You can play for anyone else, you dont need to be at Lennoxtown.
gThe kid himself doesnt need the lab el attached, especially if it is untrue.
That daft hun blog naming the players who supported one and played for the other , it is utter gossipy guff.
Sure, McGregor (playing for celtic since 7) his da is in the orange bands and he himself has a tattoo.
Broonie, his pals dad took him to ibrox as his boys bestie, and he played for a team in hill o beath that played in the huns taps,
sure some will nevr let go of their bhoyhood early heros, but most grow out of it once hard cash is on the table.
GREENPINATA on 4TH MAY 2023 11:55 AM
To the Celtic Ladies tonight.
If any of you are lurking : May the 4th be with you.
HH.
——————-
surely you will be there, your a big advocate of the growth in womand football
new article posted.