I don’t subscribe to the ‘Nothing to lose’ lobby, who seem to think underdogs can play free from the burden of having to win. Let me remind you where this Celtic team have come from…..
Celtic came through two qualifying rounds to reach the Champions League group stage, as bottom seed. The collected 10 points in six incredibly tight games to finish above Benfica and Spartak Moscow to reach the knock out stage, losing only twice.
The margin between success (first or second place) and failure (bottom) was incredibly tight. We are now 10 games into our European campaign and in the knock out stage for the first time in five years. For Celtic, these opportunities are few and far between.
The team with nothing to lose is Juventus. They are Italian champions and will be so again this year. Their major competitors, Inter and Milan, occupy fourth and fifth place in the league respectively. Napoli are the only team within 9 points of the top and they only won the league when Diego was strutting his stuff.
Juventus will be in the Champions League group stage next season and will be seeded to qualify for the knock out stage. It could easily be the quarter finals before they face another tier-one side. In other words, if Juve lost this tie, there will soon be another chance.
No one in the Celtic team knows if they will have another opportunity to reach deep inside the Champions League.
Nothing to lose? For Forster, Matthews, Hooper, Lustig, Samaras, Commons, Wanyama and Mulgew, this is the greatest chance of their professional lives. Win it and they become celebrated across Europe. They before more valuable professionals, likely to earn bigger contracts in the future. They have everything to lose.
On Friday 1 March the Lisbon Lions will be at the Kerrydale Suite providing commentary and answering questions on their magnificent European Cup final win in 1967. This has never happened in 46 years since that game, to say it is a unique opportunity fails to tell the whole story.
The event is part of our 125 4 125 campaign – central to reinvigorating the charitable spirit which is part of the club we love. It will be a family occasions, tickets are available at £10 for adults and £5 for children. The night has been organised by several fans working in conjunction with the people at Celtic Charity, so please do your best to support this great occasion. Individual tickets or tables are available, details here.
I’ll see you there.
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Does anyone know our record turnover figures for the first 6 months of the year and for the 12 month period?
I recon this must be pretty close to it…
boab1888 et al,
logged off the site, logged back on, made ticket application and was successful……or at least to enter the ballot anyway!
Thanks for help/advice etc.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Them account figures will put fat sally right aff his dinner. o)
Token tim @15:34
This is the e-mail you should have received there may be something in its content that may assist you
We have received your application for tickets for the UEFA Champions League Final 2013 that will be played in the Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 25 May 2013 at 19:45 local time (20:45 CET).
Your Client Reference Number is: @@@@@@@Please use this reference number every time you contact us.
You can, at any time during the sales period (until Friday 15 March 2013, 18:00 CET), access your application to cancel and/or change your order.
15 March 18:00 CET is the last deadline to cancel your tickets and must be done online at https://ticketing.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague.
In the likely event that the demand exceeds the number of available tickets all valid and correct applications will go into a lottery.
After the lottery you can view the status of your order on the ticket portal by logging into your personal application and view the status of your order at https://ticketing.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague (no changes or cancellations will be accepted).
You will be informed by e-mail by no later than Monday 8 April (after the lottery) if your application has been successful or not. If you do not receive a notification e-mail, please verify your spam/junk mailbox or you can log into your personal application and view the status of your order at https://ticketing.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague.
In the event that you are a successful applicant your credit card will be charged automatically.
Tickets will not be dispatched by courier. Tickets will exclusively be distributed by registered post no later than end of April 2013. Further details will be communicated to successful applicants.
For Ticketing questions please read our Help/FAQ section.
In case of further queries about ticketing please contact our 2013 UEFA Champions League Final customer service:
– By email to: uclf2013@ticketmaster.co.uk
– By phone to the following numbers:
From UK – 0844 844 1313
Outside UK – +44 (0)208 616 5432
Opening times: 09:00-17:00 (GMT) – Monday to Friday.
Best regards,
UEFA Champions League Final Wembley 2013 – Ticketing
Please do not reply to this email. Replies to this email will not be responded or read.
Parkheadcumsalford
I applied for them there about 30 mins ago and the whole process took me about 5 mins and got the confirmation mail right away. Strange how some people are having probs with it but mines went through so quickly.
Marti
TTT ,
I had a session that ‘hung’ all day. Eventually went back to the site , resubmitted my application and it flew through. Got an email conf about 10 mins ago. Mini and I are in the ballot – woo hoo !
All I need now is Easyjet to come good with the 17:15 from Luton tomorrow – you’ll recognise me – front row of the plane – bar scarf and singtims polo on .
Hail Hail
Oldtim
Have a great day tomorrow, and keep the tingle going.. Will be in BB’s before the game
if you can pop in for one after your meal, then it would be great to catch up.. Take care
Peter Odemwingie has just been spotted driving into the Vatican carpark
MickBhoy 1888
Happy birthday. You said that Juve were training nearby. Do you live in Milngavie by any chance and is the your gym the Allander?
Stonking set of interim figures from Celtic, that will improve further at year end.
I expect an 8 figure + bank balance after netting off debt.
The problem the club has is what to do with such a sum?
Sure, we could buy a couple of top stars and whack up the wage bill and burn the lot, but that doesn’t seem to fit the current model.
I expect the club will look to use it to invest in revenue generating projects rather than spend it on the football department. Lenny will get a couple of vouvhers for the summer transsfer window, but not much of it.
That means perhaps bringing forward the Celtic Triangle development, and perhaps some innovations around fan engagement and multimedia. With that kind of cash, Celtic could underwrite a pay per view SPL TV project if they wished.
At another time we would have looked at replacing the old stand, but there’s no real logic in increasing capacity to 70 odd thousand at a time when attendances are declining.
A bit of capital spending, a little bit of fun for John Park and Lenny over the summer, and the rest salted away for a rainy day.
As Paul notes in his leader, we have no idea when we’ll next be in this position. One ECL campaign does not a summer make, or something like that.
@Paddypower: After multiple requests we’ve put Richard Dawkins straight in @ 666/1 to be next Pope!
sheriff fatman
14:31 on 11 February, 2013
———————————————-
Sheriff, I’m sure Brnobhoy knows better than me but I would recommend the Hotel Pegas in Brno. I have stayed there and it was good, it also has a microbrewery in the cellar, which I enjoyed immensely. IMHO, to anyone who is going to visit the Czech Republic I would recommend Brno before Prague. I’ve been to Prague a few times but the last couple of times put me off, one unsuccessful attempt from a pickpocket, and one successful attempt despite the fact the money was in my front trouser pocket. Put me off the place despite the fact I watched us win the league there on the last day of season 2008, also had a massive argument with a Taxi driver trying to rip me off that night.
Here’s a link:
http://www.hotelpegas.cz/hotel-pegas-brno-welcome-page/
before i say this.I DO HAVE HEARING PROBLEMS! like most football fans it does stir me with pride to hear the champions league anthem at parkhead, indeed a namesake of mine has mentioned how he looks forward to it being played at his ground.However my point is(and this is where my hearing issues relate) in the opening verse as it gets to an operatic oria after the words”the champions league”mysteriously i hear lasagne am i alone in hearing this,my hearing is a nightmare at times,but if i am right i really dont see the relevence if it is there to make the italians feel at home then we as scots should change it to something suitable for our nation(im open to suggestions) but lasagne should be horsed and if i can plaguerise a previous post, a portion of said be placed on every juve players pillow. h.h.
Breaking news
48000 at Murray Park to watch Juventus players waltz round training cones – new world record.
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam)
15:08 on
11 February, 2013
European Refereeing decisions that cost us plenty
Ryan Giggs penalty for Man Utd
Eduardo penalty for Arsenal
Bobo Balde handball vs lyon
I’m sure there are many many more
Fair points I’m NL TamRaBam
Good and true right up as always Paul67
Hopefully the win bonus’s will also
inspire the players to play their socks
off over the two ties good luck to the
Hoops hopefully and Lord willing
the omens look good this year
No doubt everyone has read this
link:
http://thecelticblog.com/2013/02/blogs/guest-blog-the-juve-view
It will be interesting to see if they adopted a 3-5-2 formation
tomorrow night I personally think they will switch to a 4-4-2 or
4-5-1 however what I have noticed from watching them on
ESPN on Saturday night they are certainly no mugs and they
always keep there shape well and they are quick on the offensive
so what ever way we look at it, it’s going to be a tough two legged
tie that is for sure hopefully and Lord willing we can come out on
top that’s if we raise our games accordingly time will tell
TBB
I think a pay rise for John Park is called for, to stop other clubs poaching him.
Tim Malone Will Tell @ 15.57
Co-incidentally, on the old CQN setup (going back about 4 years or so) before the blog was upgraded my blog name was “nawumurnaebhoy”. You be amazed at the amount of posters who thought that meant I was a hun, so the change was no great heartache.
79caps
He’ll be on a bonus related to player progress and profit on sales.
He won’t be wanting for a bob or two this year!
A few questions no-one may know the answer to but I will ask them anyway.
I believe that Celtic will have to play a number of qualifiers next season to enter the Champions League proper. If Celtic win the tournament do we still need to play these?
Just a question that was bouncing around the office today.
LB
mickbhoy1888
thanks mate, but managed to get it sorted!
Sannabhoy,
likewise mini and I also in the ballot! Im sure easyjet will be kind to you big fella.
Good luck, safe flight and enjoy the game….im sure you will :-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Celtic plc Interim Report 2012
By: Newsroom Staff on 11 Feb, 2013 15:25
CELTIC plc have released the Interim Report for the six months to December 31, 2012.
Operational Highlights
• Progression to last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
• Currently top in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
• Continued participation in the Scottish Cup.
• Announcement of new shirt sponsorship deal with Magners commencing 1 July 2013.
Financial Highlights
• Turnover increased by 71.0% to £50.06m (2011: £29.27m).
• Operating expenses increased by 30.2% to £36.96m (2011: £28.39m).
• Profit from trading of £13.10m (2011: £0.88m).
• Profit on disposal of intangible assets £5.20m (2011: £3.15m).
• Profit before taxation of £14.94m (2011:£0.18m).
• Period end net bank debt of £0.13m (2011: £7.05m).
• Investment in football personnel of £4.65m (2011: £4.44m).
• 19 home fixtures (2011: 16).
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
I am pleased to report on our financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2012. The introductory page to these interim results summarises the main highlights.
On the pitch it has been a memorable and highly successful period. We started the new season as Scottish Premier League Champions and, since then, we have enjoyed impressive results. At the time of writing, we have a healthy lead in the race to retain our Premier League title and we remain in the Scottish FA Cup.
Of greater significance, though, has been the achievement of qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the undoubted highlight being our victory over Barcelona at Celtic Park in November. Celtic surpassed the expectations of many by progressing into the competition’s knockout stages from a very tough group. Furthermore, the club’s international reputation and standing received a substantial boost. This success had a major bearing on our financial performance in the period under review.
The revenues generated by the team’s success in Europe this year have significantly impacted our half year results, with turnover increasing to £50.06m, a 71% improvement over the previous year. Celtic’s achievements, both domestically and in Europe, have had a similarly positive effect on merchandise and ticketing income, notwithstanding the current difficult economic climate.
The results on the park and additional matches produced an increase in operating expenses to £36.96m and our profit from trading, before asset transactions and exceptional operating expenses, was £14.94m – a significant uplift on last year’s figure of £0.18m for the same period.
As in previous years, we continue to make investments in the playing squad and support services. The management of the playing squad is an important aspect of our business model. In the period under review we invested £4.65m in strengthening the first team squad, and added to this in the January transfer window.
We have a talented first-team pool, with a strong emphasis on youth. Our scouting and player identification processes continue to bear fruit, and our investment in state of the art medical and sport science facilities at Lennoxtown has contributed to optimising performance. Similarly, the ongoing strategy of investing in our Academy is yielding its own benefits as we remain committed to finding, coaching and developing Champions League quality players.
Such investment and player development initiatives have further enhanced profitability, with a profit from transfer activity of £5.2m, largely as a consequence of the sale of Ki Sung Yueng to Swansea, in comparison to £3.15m last year. Nevertheless, we have managed to strike a prudent balance between trading successful, valuable assets and retaining key talent to enhance our prospects of football success. Our financial strength meant that we were able to retain all our key players through the January transfer window and further enhanced our squad with the signing of Rami Gershon, Tomas Rogic and Viktor Noring.
The improvement in trading has impacted on our period end net bank debt, which stood at £0.13m, nearly £7m less than at the same point last year, well within the Company’s facilities. Our success on the park and the maintenance of our robust business model has provided stability in a challenging environment. The second half of the 2012/13 financial year is expected to follow a similar trading pattern to recent years, but buoyed by onfield success including participation in the UEFA Champions League.
Scottish Football has recently endorsed proposals to restructure our domestic league system, with the aim of generating additional interest and revenue for the benefit of fans and member clubs alike. Celtic has been happy to support initiatives it sees as being in the best interests of the Club and of the Scottish game in general.
Off the field, the Club marked its 125th Anniversary in November with a celebratory event held at St Mary’s Church in Glasgow’s Calton where the inaugural meetings that led to the Club’s formation occurred in 1887. In addition, the Celtic Charity Foundation launched an associated fund raising campaign aimed at increasing donations raised for worthy causes.
In conclusion, I would wish to pay tribute to Neil Lennon and his backroom staff, all of the players and all of the Directors, management and staff at the Club who work tirelessly to maintain the standards for which Celtic is rightly renowned. And finally, I would like to thank the fans, who have continued to show their unswerving support at a particularly turbulent but exciting time in our history.
Ian P Bankier
Chairman
February 11, 2013
WOW …….. and that’s BEFORE we get the CL money………!!!!!!!!
I would expect:
Forster, Lustig, Wilson, Mulgrew, Izzy, Brown, Wanyama, Ledley, Commons, Hooper, Samaras.
Efe expected back tomorrow morning, so probably won’t play. If Sammi doesn’t make it, I would switch Commons to the left and play Dylan on the right.
What do I know?
Derbyshirebhoy
From the airport take the M8 to the tunnel (if not choked up) to Partick park anywhere near the train station and take any train to Bellgrove or Duke street and walk up to the park chances are that M8 will be a car park from 4 o’clock onwards tomorrow with folk going to the game and leaving work early. Traffic and Parking roundabout Parkhead a nightmare at the moment due to London Road being shut
Ps If alighting from the train at Duke Street resist the temptation to rush into the nearby Louden Tavern and shout GIRUY it will probably be deserted but ye never know there might be some fat blokes windae licking trying to experience what a Champions League night is all about
67Heaven
Will be interesting(and funny) how the MSM spin these figures with the £400,000 bill for sevco.
Are you not permitted to post links here?
.
Canamalar..
Stay away Fae EN.. He is Coming to Oz in a Couple of Weeks.. The Last Pal I Mine you Met Up with (The NarrowBhoatTim) has Never been Seen Again..:-)))
Only Kiddin.. The Doha ‘Dolphin’ CSC would love Your Patter and Positivieness.. Ha Ha..
Summa of MissingCQNersCSC
VP
Thats easy
We have £130k debt.. Sevco debt free
We have £16m profit… Sevco made £20m from shares.
Simples if you know how to spin
Commons laughed off Rangers’ offer to Juventus to use the Ibrox club’s Murray Park training base during preparations for the game against Celtic. “They can train in my back garden, it would make no difference,” he said. “If they want to train at a Division Three training ground, let them get on with it.”
OMG! I almost chocked on my coke…….!!! What a line!
Its probably been commented on already, but not had a chance to read any comments yet, and I’m sure its worth a repost for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet!
As for the article Paul, I only half agree. Its not that we have nothing to lose, that much is true, but we have more to gain imo. As you say, this is the biggest game so far in their life for most of our squad, but some Juve players have been here before, and will see this stage of the competition again. It’s a question of how much do they want it. And how much they are prepaired to work for it. They are the better team on paper, but as one of my favourite cliche’s go, ‘Football isn’t played on paper……..’
Henrik just arrived in Glasgow. .
Regarding the figures released by the club today, how much of the Champions League money from the group stages will have actually been paid as yet?
And applied for tickets for the final, just in case.
David Prowse – No you aren’t. This is a square sausage shop
theoriginalsadiesbhoy
16:06 on
11 February, 2013
Gee whiz pal nothing as common as Milngavie and the Allender ……….The Briggs and Virgin Active
Celtics figures are fantastic in the league we play in.
For what it’s worth .—–
Today’s La Gazzetta Dello Sport carries an interview with Jim Kerr. There will be an English version on their website.
Anyone know where Cadizy is these days?
JJ
Achhhhh the pleasures of being retired and self employed ahm taking the morra aff as well
Cheers Rogue Leader,
Was trying to put a link up for Eastern Ex Pat to watch the match tomorrow night and it wasn’t appearing!
If you are reading this Eastern Ex Pat goto:
www (dot) vipbox (dot) tv and you will get it there.
The links will go live around 7ish.
Sorry if i broke the rules doing this.
But…. rules are made………
Sixtae seven
Fat Sally was over at Lennox town spying on the hoops training sessions and noticed that the Celts lhads had painted some wheely bins in blue and white and he watched closely as the hoops in training, danced around the blue and white wheely bins, before slamming the ball into the net
Fat Sally decides that this is the way forward and orders wee durranty to steal some wheely bins that night and then get them painted in green and white hoops.
Next Day, Fat sally set out the wheely bins and retired to his office for a steak bake. He was sitting in his office for only 10 minutes when wee duranty comes leaping into his office, 2 steps at a time, puffing and panting, “Come Quickly Ally,” he shouts “you better see this”
Fat Sally says “take it easy Duranty, whats up?”
“You’d better come quickly boss” Durranty shouts, “the bins are winning four nothing !”
Boo boom