Losing players on your own terms

A quick straw poll suggests we’re happy with £2m for Adam Matthews, although Sunderland will be happier, having signed what is likely to be a first team player for what is a bargain fee in the English league.  For Celtic, the player had only a year left on his contract, and was not first choice when Mikael Lustig was available.  On other occasions we would struggle to get £500k.

A few factors supported Adam’s marketability and price.  He is part of a successful Wales team who are likely to reach Euro 2016.  Scouts from all over Europe watch Wales and it’s unlikely you’d be able to sign any of that team for less than £2m.

There’s also the Joe Ledley and Victor Wanyama effect.  Joe and Victor were Celtic contemporaries of Adam and both are solid performers for EPL clubs.  Don’t even ask me about what’s going on with Daryl Murphy at the moment, as it beats any rational explanation I can come up with.

Having 20 hugely wealthy neighbours comes with lots of problems, but if we are going to lose players to England, it’s better to lose them on our own terms – when we are in a position to start a fresh building process, than have events overtake us, as appears to be happening at Tannadice this year.

Enjoy events this afternoon at New St Mirren Celtic Park.