Celtic are about to embark on their fourth season as the last remaining Superpower in Scottish football. The old wars were won, while current challenges on the domestic front are accomplished with ease, but many questions remain about the club’s place in the world, what it’s objectives should be and how best to deliver them.
My expectation is that Celtic’s annual accounts, which will be released next month, will show they club washed its face, largely aided by the sale of Fraser Forster, but turnover is likely to be around 35% below the peak figure from season 2012-13, where we progressed to the knock-out stages of the Champions League, selling tickets and merchandise by the ton.
Season ticket sales are down around 10,000 from their peak a decade ago, reflecting the lack of domestic competition, an overhang of the economic climate, and – I expect – a tail off from what was an unsustainable high during the years of regrowth after the long, dark, 90s. The good news is the distress rate appears to have bottomed out. New blood has replaced old in many parts of the stands, as many learn to appreciate The Game for its sporting merit, not simply a means to three points.
We had a terrible start to the Ronny Deila era. We huffed and puffed in Iceland, were torn apart in Poland, but the performance against Legia at Murrayfield was nothing short of a capitulation. From the opening minute of the game we were worse, much worse, than we were in Warsaw.
Results and performances remained disappointing for months as Aberdeen regularly led the league into the new year, but signs of recovery appeared in the Europa League, where we qualified for the knock out stages and put on two credible performances against Inter.
Last autumn Ronny was under pressure. In another era, this could have been overbearing pressure. The change in managers brought a change in tactics, training and personal objectives, which disoriented the club. It also meant that we didn’t have a recruitment strategy in place for the new requirements.
There are many long term strategic threats, but if Celtic ever lose a league again, it’s likely to be when they embark on such an overwhelming technical change. If we do this again, we need to anticipate the shock and compensate accordingly.
Sporting objectives remain clear: win the league every season “forever and ever” and qualify for the Champions League group stages. Having given this some thought, I cannot see the scenario when we will lose the Scottish league title.
A horizon exists in Scottish football, no one can see beyond 10-in-a-row. This season WILL be five-in-a-row, most bookies are offering 1/33, a 3% return on your money, on this outcome. After that the countdown to 10 will grow louder, but 10 is not a real horizon, it just exists because Jock Stein’s ways were eventually copied. He had no mystical touch, only good strategy.
Rangers should never had stopped at 9. The money they had gave them an enormous advantage. Wim Jansen arrived from nowhere (Japan) with half a team signed by Jock Brown. It defied logic how we won that title, but it’s also clear than many at Ibrox had put their tools away before the start of that season. There is a warning here for Celtic. The latter parts of the Martin O’Neill, Gordon Strachan and Neil Lennon eras were all characterised by less innovative signings. More scouting trips to Edinburgh, fewer to Cracow, and the like. When the players, manager or scouts get weary, teams fail.
Achieving Champions League group stage qualification is the most difficult challenge Celtic face. We are clearly a better team than Qarabag, and have considerably more resources, but much of Wednesday night was spent worrying if the goal would come, and about what we would face in Baku. Even if we’re successful, strong unseeded teams will await in our section of the next round draw.
We are more than good enough to win league after league, but we’re not more than good enough to qualify for Champions League after Champions League. This should be Celtic’s objective for the next year – arrive in next summers’ qualifiers with a much better team.
The success of this will depend on Ronny’s ability to turn potential into actual European class players. He can do this, but he’ll need a tail wind. In particular, we have to hope that an earlier, ‘recruit from Edinburgh’ strategy, has not been redeployed in the form of a ‘recruit from Dundee’ one.
There are objective measurements we can point to. We are sound financially, pay our bills when due, have seen off all domestic competitors, will report more than 40,000 season ticket holders, a buoyant retail business and strong commercial partnerships. The stadium looks incredible, whoever conceived of the Celtic Way deserves some credit – but please – finish the job.
Copy what we saw at Murrayfield, put turnstiles at the perimeter of the footprint, build fan zones, build a café outside the ground. 30 years from now people will not sit in stadiums like Celtic Park, they will have better facilities, start planning for them now.
As anyone will tell you, football is a results business, and results over the next four weeks will have an enormous bearing on what state we feel the club is in. Defeat will not mean we are on the wrong path any more than victories mean we are on the right path, but it’s the game we play, so ‘play on’.
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BHoysforever
I was just playing hard to get
This is like booking a holiday total nightmare!!! Keep if simple for us old cogers FGS!!!!
Neganon2 I’m afraid your posts are getting more and more bizarre, a series of opinions – which you are quite entitled to hold- passed of as facts and accusations not backed by evidence. I,ve reread Paul67’s piece two or three times and just don’t read it like you have posted. I used to have some time for your posts but I’m afraid no more . Keep in keeping on Hail Hail Hebcelt
Neganon,
You accuse the board of being OFirmists. How would you term the Celtic men who watch every Rangers game on the tv?
Paul claims that the fresh blood that take up season tickets are somehow morally superior to the old guard by claiming that these new supporters are somehow here just to watch football. He of course implies that those who gave up season tickets where chasing after Hun games (and deeper implies that they are bigots).
================
I hope this wasn’t the implication and would be pretty disgusted if it was.
I took it simply to mean that the natural ‘replacement’ process has occured as is the way when older fans can no longer manage to make it to CP. Maybe Paul67 can clarify…
HH
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on 31st July 2015 12:53 pm Dundee Utd 12/5 at home on Sunday against Aberdeen (hills)
Not a bad price at start of the season
======
They were under achievers anyway prior to losing their 3 best players. They’d better hope the replacements are good or they will struggle and Jackie will be on the move…and not to Celtic:)
HH
Many thanks to all who took the time to wish me well in my recovery.
Sorry about the late post ………………………………..i fell asleep -))
Good article.
In the old days of CelticTV they usually had a Q&A part. I e-mailed that Celtic shoud do as you’ve suggested, have comfortable and attractive 7 day a week refreshment facilities with plenty toilets OUTSIDE the ground.
Derek White was the ‘pundit’, he thought it was an idea worth consideration. He further ventured that, they could erect some corregated sheeting to drag the burger vans under and have some potaloos.
This is what we are up against, we are looking for a LOT more from our ‘match day experience’ when shelling out a pile of cash to attend.
Just installed Apollo and it’s better than Puffin.
WITS – will pass on your pearls of wisdom, thanks.
Now back to lurking – not posted this much since I signed up years ago.
Getting nervous in case I’m asked whether I’m a …….. No, no no.
Bhoys4ever
Problem seems to be with Safari.
-you need an ole Minnesota dentist with a bow and arrow.
DBBIA/DocHollidayCSC
Delighted for John Clark tomorrow
Celtic to the marrow
Burgas Hoops- stay well
And stay off the ole burgas
Safari? Apollo? Puffin?
.
Glad I don’t use that Apple stuff … Windows 10 and Edge is much easier!
Well the Jury is out on Cifti we have bought so many non scoring strikers it beggars belief why we have so many problems in this area it needs to be looked into by those at the top of the club.For me those at the top seem reluctant to spend much money on qualifying for the Champions League I am not all that confident about getting to the next round of the CL qualifying round.However,if we dont qualify for the CL this season who is to blame is it Ronny and John as they keep saying we have quality players are they not getting the best from them ? or is it the top brass at the club who keep a tight lid on the biscuit tin or are they just making sure the club does not go the way of the huns ? I for one do not understand some of Ronnys team selections why Cifti before Griffiths why has he not signed a left back why let Stokes go we know in the SPL he knows where the net is. Why did we say players arguing about who takes a penalty in an important game ? I dont know the answers to these questions but they do bother me.H.H.
Good article, Paul, spot on. Screw the trolls who call you a cheerleader.
2 things –
someone forgot to put the CQN ico in the right folders – still getting nothing on my tab.
and will our usernames appear in green for more definition?
Burgas Hoops – didn’t catch what was up with you buddy, but assume it’s more than a hangover. Get well soon.
Tenner on big Virgil for a double tomorrow – 50/1
‘Mon the holiday spending money…
NegAnon your inability to determine the difference between fact and opinion is legendary, it appears these days you don’t even try anymore.Not really sure what your point is these days other than to attempt to find sectarian conspiracies under every rock (or maybe in every post).
You take no joy from Celtic I find that very sad.
Weeminger I disagree that turnover is a meaningless measure. Turnover in football provides an indication of ability for answer spend and spend on players wages etc. regardless do you agree that Celtic should be doing much much better given the resources we have?
Hebcelt it is bizarre in the extreme to once agin claim that I pass off opinion as fact. That is simply what most people do. This lazy accusation could be flung at Paul,and his assertions on why people haven’t renewed their season tickets. So let’s debate properly.mwhat is bizarre about my post?
Captain beefheart I don’t know what term to use. Guilty pleasure seekers could be one. In any case do you deny that PL and DD are old firmists?
On Wednesday night N.Ciftci’s effort could not be faulted.
Maybe all he needs is a goal to light the green touch paper.
Folk go to the football for myriad reasons. The 4000 or so who elected not to renew their Celtic season tickets in 2012/13 did so for their own reasons.
In the meantime, the club has attracted new season book holders, largely replacing the shortfall caused by those who elected not to renew in 2012/13 and who have since stayed away (barring big Euro matches).
The demise and liquidation of Rangers in summer 2012 doubtless played a part in the decision of some folk not to renew at that time. How much a part I couldn’t say. You’d need to ask them.
Not a lot to get ‘disgusted’ about on the whole, unless you’re from Dungeness and once wrote to Barry Took at Points of View.
Testing testing 123 123
Is there a CQN Fantasy Football League this year?
If so could someone post the joining code please
HH
You could be from Bucklebury and write to Peregrine Took on Ents of View.
Timmy7 noted let’s explore this rather silly stuff about facts versus opinion. Tell me does everyone else state that this part of their post is fact and this is opinion? Can you point one out please.
You see this is used to try and dismiss anything I say. And because of don’t agree with Paul I am called a troll. Isn’t it fascinating that those who don’t want to hear a dissenting voice will ostracise and dehumanise their erstwhile opponents.
I guess you can’t change human nature eh.
But cmon timmy7 noted show me these posts that distinguish facts from opinion.
NegAnon2 on 31st July 2015 12:35 pm
………………
Eh?
Pass me the hemlock.
https://mobile.twitter.com/celticfc?p=s
Craig Gordon at Presser :))
Neganon2 I’m afraid I will not be debating with you – I’ve got a life to get on with. I gave my opinion on your post, you disagree, let’s leave it at that. H H Hebcelt
Battered aren’t you disgusted at celtics involvement in the corruption surrounding Rangers?
Id give that dentist some root canal treatment!! NHS btw!!!
Well Hebcelt can you show me these posts that all distinguish between fact and opinion? Is there a template I can use?
Oh I meant to ask Hebcelt is your point about my post being bizarre fact or opinion? You didn’t indicate that clearly in your post??
I’ve been as disappointed as anyone about the performance of our striker acquisitions but I think some of us are being hard on Ciftci.Surely we can give him some domestic matches before we make decisions on him?
I remember the first performances of Bangura and thinking he was a dud but he was quite possibly the worst player I have ever seen at Celtic and in no way can Ciftci be considered at a similar level as far as I’m concerned.
I hope he scores a barrowload.
Everything posted by me is 100% FACT.
GUARANTEED.
Even the made up bits are 200% FACT.
Was in a good mood till I read neganons article. Bleak shot.
bro.
KLV
“dehumanise their erstwhile opponents”
Seriously? On a footy blog? I don’t see you as an opponent just a guy who appears to be a Tim but does not like Celtic,I find that odd.
As for dehumanise,WTF?
NegAnon2 on 31st July 2015 1:23 pm
You’re intelligent enough to know that comparing teams on income without considering fixed costs etc is totally inaccurate, so I’m not going to condescend and give you basic examples.
There will be teams out there with smaller stadia etc that can spend similar amounts despite having much smaller turnover.
Dontbrattback.
Yes but are the FACTS or facts.
It’s a very important distinction.
Seems the fact versus opinion fans are struggling to look of the fact versus opinion post template!
Weeminger yes I agree that fixed costs etc do distort turnover but of course there is a relationship between stadium size and turnover too. Anyway do you agree we are underperforming?
Oh well, that’s the feel good factor on the blog gone. Nothing wrong with dissenting voices but it does get boring when the same opinion is regurgitated constantly, then calls out posters looking for an argument. I think you need to get out more, but be careful as there’s bigots and racists round every corner….