4 April 2001, you would not believe the tension in the stadium when Dundee visited Celtic Park. Post-match, Martin O’Neill chastised us for being so edgy before a Johan Mjallby goal six minutes from time secured the points. Winning that game, meant Celtic could win the title at home to St Mirren a few days later, not with only a few thousand Celtic fans in attendance at the subsequent away game. What Martin didn’t appreciate, was that being there when the event happened was vital to the supporters. Winning leagues was something of a rarity for Celtic fans back then.
Tonight, many of us will feel that being there to see Martin O’Neill’s final game as Celtic manager is equally important. We will see the departure of not just a great manager, but one of a small band of people who are genuine Celtic royalty.
After Dundee’s deserved win over Celtic in October, they went on a four-game losing streak, scoring once and conceding nine goals to Falkirk, Hearts, Newco and Hibs. Whatever was wrong before Martin’s arrival, it had enormous consequences. Steven Pressley’s side arrested that decline by coming from behind to beat St Mirren 3-1 on Saturday. That elevated Dundee above the team from Paisley, who slipped into the relegation play-off spot.
The script is written for a statement Celtic win ahead of the visit of league leaders Hearts on Sunday. Martin, though, knows that scripts are not always followed. This is a game he will want to win as much as you and I wanted that result back in 2001.
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Father John Tata – free at last 👍
Auldheid – I posted this morning on the matter of dividends. In short, Celtic don’t pay dividends on profits. They pay the 6% coupon on CCP shares, effectively interest on the perpetual loan from shareholders that helped finance the new stadium. It is paid irrespective of the profit or loss made in the year.
For all intents and purposes, under the current regime Celtic is a not-for-profit enterprise, or more accurately, not-for-profit-distribution. The surplus is retained each year.
“ If a million people told me to do something … and I was the one and I didn’t feel that something was right, then I would take my own counsel.”
Dermot Desmond
Seamlessly from ‘ anti establishment ‘ to ‘royalty ‘….
To confirm from earlier, Fr John has been released. As ever there are the usual machinations but he is free, which is the most important thing.
Thanks again for your comments, thoughts and prayers.
The Battered Bunnet
Worth emphasising that the dividend is fixed and does not increase with inflation, time or any other parameter.
The £18 sividend paid in 2000 is still £18 in 2025. So not 6% in ‘real terms’ as they say.
THE EXILED TIM on 3rd December 2025 10:46 am
Maolmuire O Muirgheasa on 2nd December 2025 9:01 pm
Yip, said similar for years, hence the reason that we do not have a level playing field, if we did we would win everything, folks would get bored and the money would dry up, it’s not rocket science, it’s always about the money.
But you said it way better than I could have, great post.
+++++++++++++++
Hi TET I hope you and the missus are well and feisty.
We go way back on CQN where Res12 was conceived by Canalamar in 2013.
The relevance to the MOM post is that back in 2013 I got involved with Canalamar and BRTH to have SFA and Rangers investigated by UEFA for licence breach in the firm belief Celtic would not miss the opportunity to call out both.
I thought PL will be all over this. He even asked before Res12 took shape for the stuff that Charlotte Fakeovers was releasing on line.
It did not take too long when I started to question that original idea. i.e that The Board shared the same perception that I and other supporters had of their relationship with Rangers..
As the onion got peeled I had to revisit that belief and see Scottish football for what it was: a cabal of interdependent clubs including the biggest who thought entirely differently from their supporters.
Once a pair of interdependent spectacles are worn what is seen cannot be unseen.
I sometimes wonder if Res12 had the unforeseen consequences of opening the eyes of any supporter who followed the narrative as it did mine.
To finish off: PL did tell the truth when he said UEFA were not interested in investigating in 2013 because any investigation into the UEFA Licence grant in 2011 would have had UEFA and Infantino in particular to investigate Rangers use of EBTs that PL asked Infantino to look into in May 2012 to which no answer has been seen.
Had they done so I believe that UEFA would have found that Rangers were in breach of a “fair presentation” of accounts FFP article in 2009, 2010 and 2011 in addition to the Res12 overdue payable breach that did occur in 2011 when a fraudulent statement was made by Rangers to get granted a licence.
Think of the compensation claims not to mention Infantino’s much vaunted FFP was a tick box exercise that depended on football clubs being honest……
I suppose what I am saying is MOM is right in his thinking that Scottish football is not what I/we thought in 2013 but it goes wider and above Celtic and was not in their power to address at the time.
The benefits of their involvement in developing FSR, which is not a tick box job, have yet to emerge.
bournesouprecipe on 3rd December 2025 2:34 pm
“ If a million people told me to do something … and I was the one and I didn’t feel that something was right, then I would take my own counsel.”
Dermot Desmond
============
Shit that worries me, I’m a bit like that myself.
KevJungle on 3rd December 2025 1:49 pm
bigrailroadblues on 3rd December 2025 1:47 pm
What a comment that is on the anniversary of the death of a fine man.
…..
What comment?
……………….
You KNOW ” WHAT COMMENT” , but instead you act DUMB,
I ( and several others ) who attended Tonys Funeral still have ” Documentation/Proof ” of WHEN Tony passed away.
NOT only are you a CHUMP…..But your are also a DESPICABLE LYING REPTILE…
AIPPLE on 3RD DECEMBER 2025 1:16 PM
Enjoy tonight, hopefully MoN signs off on a high.
Great news about FR. John Tata.
HH.
Tim Malone Will Tell on 3rd December 2025 2:44 pm
Yip, it’s 6% on the face value of the 60p share – so the same 3.6p per share every year come what may, until/unless the shares are converted to Ordinary or otherwise redeemed.
The Battered Bunnet on 3rd December 2025 2:24 pm
Auldheid – I posted this morning on the matter of dividends. In short, Celtic don’t pay dividends on profits. They pay the 6% coupon on CCP shares, effectively interest on the perpetual loan from shareholders that helped finance the new stadium. It is paid irrespective of the profit or loss made in the year.
For all intents and purposes, under the current regime Celtic is a not-for-profit enterprise, or more accurately, not-for-profit-distribution. The surplus is retained each year.
=================
Thank you so much for that because it reinforces my thinking. Celtic may be a PLC but act more like a Community Club. Is that a fair perception?
If that narrative is true how does that impact on the perceptions of The Board that pervades Social Media?
(I think modernisation is a necessity but an important early step is establishing why Celtic exist or “Purpose ” in a word, so that modernisation delivers that purpose.
I understand that this is an issue Celtic are looking at as result of The Fans Review, which answers my question for answer at AGM about Purpose and Strategy.
On that basis I can go and smell the flowers.
KevJungle on 3rd December 2025 1:43 pm
Low and disrespectful.
Nothing new there right enough….
AULDHEID on 3RD DECEMBER 2025 2:57 PM
bournesouprecipe on 3rd December 2025 2:34 pm
“ If a million people told me to do something … and I was the one and I didn’t feel that something was right, then I would take my own counsel.”
Dermot Desmond
============
Shit that worries me, I’m a bit like that myself.
————————-
I know , you got rid of all your best players as well 😂
Auldheid: “Celtic may be a PLC but act more like a Community Club. Is that a fair perception?”
Taking that idea, I’d say that Celtic acts in many ways like an ambitious third sector organisation, something like Nuffield Health maybe, or Amnesty International. Even a church for that matter.
They’re there, they’re doing stuff and they want to do more of it. The bigger they get, the more they can do. The return to ‘members’ is that the stuff is done, and on a greater scale each year.
Not sure if it’s true or not, but I heard a rumour Celtic are getting a new manager. anyone heard anything ?
kingLUBO
https://x.com/TimesSport/status/1996236405979435011?t=YFHsgBRAFe8O-OayiP1EXQ&s=19
Tony Bloom in a bit of bother
bournesouprecipe on 3rd December 2025 3:14 pm
I know , you got rid of all your best players as well 😂
===================
Lol.
COYBIG.
Tonight we need 3 points, but the night should belong to MON.( and mad Fozzy / Shaun)
Keep the board out of it Tonight.
HH.
What to do with the evening, a flip dark chill winter bastard though dry.
I’ll Go and watch the mighty Glasgow Celtic.
Anthony Burgess 1962.
auldheid@3.10 tbb@3.25
“Celtic may be a PLC but act more like a Community Club. Is that a fair perception?”
Careful there you are beginning to sound like someone sitting upstairs on the Clapham CSC Omnibus
Great news re Fr John Tata.
Auldheid
Aye, as you say as soon as you start to peel away the layers……….
What I was and still am more miffed about was the fact that he thought you and the other Res12 bhoys were stupid and could look you in the eye and lie to you all and not be sussed.
It’s always about the money at whatever level you are at,
Take care and you all have a great Christmas
HH
PS
I just do what I am told >:)
Mr.Bloom i presume
Investigations into betting patterns
https://x.com/Lawton_Times/status/1996241059290972175?t=X1EfcEqJRKxBsTiqCHNPoQ&s=19
HH
Maybes not stupid, but that he was better “educated in the realms of the situation” than yous were to say what he said, and when you think about it he sure was.
The Battered Bunnet on 3rd December 2025 3:25 pm
Auldheid: “Celtic may be a PLC but act more like a Community Club. Is that a fair perception?”
Taking that idea, I’d say that Celtic acts in many ways like an ambitious third sector organisation, something like Nuffield Health maybe, or Amnesty International. Even a church for that matter.
They’re there, they’re doing stuff and they want to do more of it. The bigger they get, the more they can do. The return to ‘members’ is that the stuff is done, and on a greater scale each year.
===============
Is there a conundrum in there as consistently going up the scale reduces domestic competitiveness that weakens the attraction of domestic competition.
Have Celtic by accident or design found a sweet spot in being an EL regular?
Awe naw no the man oan the Clapham Omnibus oan again anaw noo
AnTearmann@11.52
You should know better than that! I was asking a question? The context of which is that Celtic Board previously agreed that the Celtic Fan Collective would be involved in discussions along with Police Scotland over the Fairhurst Report on the events of 16 March. That has patently not happened. Now, the question was would/will a “march” organised and announced by the Celtic Fan Collective and taking place before the Hearts game on Sunday, be treated differently from say fans walking en masse to a match as from time immemorial, ie more akin to that how Celtic supporters were treated on March 16. Now you may not like the question, but if I was in any way involved in the Celtic Fan Collective I would want to know the answer.
Hope you are well Big Fellh
Hail Hail
Bada 3.54
Brings to mind the question
Has he passed the fit and Dave King question?
:)
HH
THE EXILED TIM on 3rd December 2025 4:16 pm
Maybes not stupid, but that he was better “educated in the realms of the situation” than yous were to say what he said, and when you think about it he sure was.
======================
Rumsfeld on unknows applies but in Scottish vernacular. ” Hid ah kent then wit ah kent noo”.
MN did hint at Rumsfeld applying.
bournesouprecipe@4.17
I’m guessing you’ll more likely to be found be sitting at the back….
Or meringue?
AT- Bloom made his money as a professional gambler, it won’t be fivers and tenners
The media said Nancy was flying in last night, would be in the stands tonight and that he would be taking training from tomorrow.
Anyone else think Shaun will be picking the team for the Hearts game?
Interesting stuff this afternoon and not just because it rings true for me.
I never met Tony but I think he would have enjoyed it, even if he didn’t agree.
tommclaughlin@12.43
Gaun yersel Tam!
Think the Celtic Collective march is planned for Sunday….
From Matt Lawton in the Times;
Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton & Hove Albion, has been accused of operating a secret £600million gambling syndicate to bet on football matches, using accounts including some belonging to Nigel Farage’s former chief of staff.
Bloom, the 55-year-old billionaire businessman and professional gambler, also has a significant stake in the Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts. He controls the “Tony Bloom Betting Syndicate”, which is said in court papers to have agreed with George Cottrell, Farage’s former aide, to use his offshore gaming accounts “to place bets on sporting fixtures, predominantly football matches”. Cottrell has previously been jailed for money laundering in the United States.
The allegations are included in a claim filed at London’s High Court by a former employee of Starlizard, a betting advisory company owned by Bloom through which his syndicate — which boasts more than 100 members that he invites personally to join — places some of its bets.
Cottrell was jailed for eight months in 2016 for money laundering in the US.
In the claim seen by The Times, Ryan Dudfield alleges he is owed £17.5million of the profits made via Cottrell’s accounts after introducing the political aide to the syndicate.
Dudfield said the syndicate used “secret exotic accounts . . . in the name of third parties, through which Mr Bloom and his betting syndicate placed their bets”. Somebody like Cottrell is described as a “whale” — a front for placing bets on behalf of the syndicate.
Dudfield says he has known Cottrell, 32, a former deputy treasurer of UKIP, for five years. Cottrell is known in political circles as “Posh George” and was previously Farage’s chief of staff.
While it is believed that Bloom has never met Cottrell personally, he is said to have been introduced to the syndicate by Dudfield via a senior employee at Starlizard in 2022. In 2016, Cottrell was jailed for eight months in the US after admitting offering to use the “dark web” to launder money for drug dealers. He was caught in an operation by undercover agents.
Dudfield also claims that Bloom and the syndicate used the betting accounts of “well-known footballers, sportsmen and businessmen” to place bets. While it is not thought that any ex-footballers are members of Bloom’s syndicate, The Times understands some placed the same bets as those on the syndicate.
Evidence submitted as part of the claim includes a list of bets which Dudfield suggests may be linked to the Bloom syndicate, some of which are said to be on Premier League matches.
In 2014 Bloom was given special dispensation by the Football Association to operate his betting consultancy, Starlizard, and continue to bet on football through his syndicate. The exemption was extended to other club owners with pre-existing business interests in gambling, including Brentford’s Matthew Benham.
The Times understands, however, that Bloom is not permitted to bet on Brighton, any other Premier League game, or matches in knockout competitions involving Premier League teams.
As part of an agreement with the FA that has never been publicly disclosed, all his bets are audited both by a leading accountancy firm and the FA every year. Bloom has never been found to have breached the special agreement with English football’s governing body.
Part 2 from The Times:
Indeed, it is expected that lawyers acting for Bloom will reject any suggestion that his syndicate has placed bets on Premier League matches or games involving top-flight teams in the 11 years since the FA introduced its exemption. They plan to file a defence rejecting the allegations in response to Dudfield’s claim next month.
But within the 19-page claim, which was accepted at the High Court on November 20, the details around Bloom’s betting activities in football remain eye-watering when other participants in football, from players to club employees and officials, are banned from betting on the sport worldwide. The England internationals Ivan Toney and Kieran Trippier are among those to have been banned in recent years for breaches of FA rules on gambling.
Lawyers acting for Dudfield say their client is owed a share of $250million (£188million) in estimated profits. Collectively, the claim states that the syndicate — which it inaccurately calls the “Starlizard Betting Syndicate” — makes about £600million each year in winnings. Dudfield claims the syndicate is “highly successful”.
Dudfield is suing Bloom, known in the gambling world as “The Lizard”, and “all other members of the ‘Starlizard’ betting syndicate”.
He says the syndicate is operated via “Starlizard Consulting Limited”, which was incorporated by Bloom in January 2006. He says the shares are owned by Blue Lizard Commercial Ltd, in which Bloom is the majority shareholder.
Dudfield claims he was employed by Starlizard Consulting as a “placer” to decide when and where to place bets “usually on behalf of Mr Bloom and his betting syndicate”. He says he was based at a small “satellite office” in Canary Wharf, London, and operated in a “secretive manner” so other employees of the consulting company were unaware of their activities.
Bloom is alleged to be the “head of the syndicate” and “the sole beneficial owner of the bank accounts into which the syndicate’s winnings are paid and out of which winnings are distributed”.
Cottrell is described in the claim as a high-stakes gambler who is involved in co-ordinating an offshore sports and casino betting business called “tether.bet”, which allows its users to place bets in cryptocurrencies.
Dudfield says Cottrell contacted him in February 2022 asking for the likely identity of the person who was placing bets via the “tether.bet” website, which resulted in seven-figure wins. Dudfield claims he believed it could be Bloom and informed Ian McAleavy, the syndicate’s head of football, via WhatsApp and during a meeting at the Bald Faced Stag pub in East Finchley, north London.
Dudfield says he offered to introduce Cottrell to McAleavy, in order to strike an agreement between the syndicate and Bloom to use the aide’s betting accounts. Dudfield claims he arranged a meeting with McAleavy, Cottrell and Cottrell’s then girlfriend, the socialite Georgia Toffolo, at Daphne’s restaurant in Chelsea, west London. Toffolo, 31, appeared in the E4 reality show Made in Chelsea and won ITV’s I’m a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! in 2017.
Georgia Toffolo at Ladies Day of the Betfred Derby Festival.
Cottrell was previously in a relationship with the Made in Chelsea star Toffolo
AARON CHOWN/PA
He claims an agreement was reached that 60 per cent of the profits made using Cottrell’s accounts would go to Bloom and the syndicate, 33 per cent to Cottrell, and 7 per cent to himself. The syndicate also allegedly agreed to stop placing its bets via gambling platforms in which Cottrell had a financial interest, such as tether.bet.
Dudfield said messages from McAleavy suggested that the agreement led to £3million of profits by October 20, 2022, and £4.5million by November 25, 2022. Dudfield says he was told the syndicate stopped using Cottrell’s betting accounts between December 22, 2022, and July 2023.
He says Cottrell told him at Brinkley’s restaurant in Chelsea on July 6, 2023 that he ended his relationship with the syndicate because “he did not consider they would win him enough money”.