My friends in Celtic, on Sunday we will gather to watch the league flag fly high above Celtic Park, the Scottish Cup is on display in the boardroom and in six weeks we will be among the first fans to watch the new Champions League format get underway.
Financially, things have literally never been better. A year ago, our net cash position was £72m, aided by the ridiculously inflated price achieved for Jota (love him lots but never a £25m player). Since then, we have banked Champions League money and the bounty from the best commercial deals in the land. We have known worse.
Despite the welcome permanent signing of Paulo Bernardo yesterday, at this stage of the transfer window, we are weaker than we were at the end of the season. There is a substitute striker shaped hole in the squad, which Adam Idah is doing his best to fill. For the (very) hard of thinking, let’s remind ourselves:
You can sign any old rubbish early in the window (with a few exceptions), but clubs who own players in demand do not sell until late August. If you are in doubt, think of Matt O’Riley, who is clearly wanted by clubs in England and Italy, but there is no amount of money Celtic would be prepared to accept until late in the window AND they have backfill. This is how transfer windows work, the whole world knows it, so let’s not pretend we are new to the game.
One year ago, Celtic were hot favourites to win the league. They had just successfully retained their title, had money in the bank with no Champions League qualification worries. After three years which saw a league title, a Europa League final and Champions League participation, our only challengers, Newco, were back in crisis mode.
Michael Beale was sacked in October as their season fell apart. What should have been a procession to Celtic’s third successive title, turned into a mishandled campaign. Our disintegration on the park was so evident, by February I was convinced we would lose the league (don’t think I mentioned that here at the time).
History is the tale of fine margins. Philippe Clement steadied Newco and overturned Celtic’s lead in the table, but the steam escaped from his engine on a field in Dingwall in April. It was a stupid result the like of which Celtic endured earlier in the campaign, but Clement’s ability to push his squad had expired. For Celtic, this was an enormous break.
That campaign is a lesson for anyone who believes we are a shoo-in for four-in-a-row. A few injuries (you can bet we will get them) and a failure to successfully develop supporting players (you can bet……), and we could be plunged into trouble again.
It is popular to poke fun at Clement, but he is a far better manager than Beale, Gerrard or McCoist (who was hopeless). If he stays in Glasgow, he will build his own team and put proper pressure on Brendan, even with a budget which is likely to be significantly below ours.
Our budget and development strategy was easy to ascertain for a long time; not so much now. That £72m net cash position we reported a year ago is likely to be dwarfed when the figures for the year to June 2024 are released; I expect at least £10m on top of that.
When our old pal Peter Lawwell was in charge, he lived to the motto, “Every penny that comes in will be spent over any business cycle you care to mention” – and they still complained! Peter lived at the sharp end of football and once told me, “When people give you money, there is an expectation you will spend it.”
Let’s be clear, having lots of money in the bank is a great thing for a football club; if the tables were turned, you and I would be distraught at the comparison across the city. But that expectation Peter Lawwell talked about remains. Celtic are a football club who have a duty to invest appropriately in football stock.
How we invest is also important. The model which found and developed Matt O’Riley and which works for so many aspiring clubs in Europe, is without question the way forward. Alternative models, where clubs buy players at their peak, earning big wages and without scope to appreciate in value, is full of short-term gain but has zero strategic benefit.
We should also acknowledge a harsh fact. Great managers, though Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rogers were for us, the last Celtic boss who achieved anything in Europe was Neil Lennon. Celtic are in the Champions League again this season because our coefficient monkeys across the city did very well in Europe for three successive seasons.
I expect we are now at the end of that cycle and Scotland’s coefficient will drop for a period. This will make Champions League income less likely, irrespective of what money we spend or signing strategy we follow.
Our board can expect a peak cash position next summer. Their challenge is to take what is unquestionably an embarrassment of riches, and develop the team and facilities in a manner which grows the top line.
If you think that’s easy, I suggest there is a peak on the Dunning Kruger chart for you. Players competitively valued in the £10m bracket (i.e. by others in the market, not just by Norwich City), tend to have lots of options, usually a few better than the Scottish Premiership. They also have pay offers which would blow apart Celtic’s wage structure. Having all that cash guarantees you nothing.
There are other calls on our resources. Celtic Park is a 20th century stadium and we are already a quarter of the way through the 21st century. Football fans tolerance has changed over the generations. Consumer expectations in the middle of this century will be miles ahead of what we currently call home.
I would like to see a 20-year plan to redevelop Celtic Park. Turnstiles should be at the edge of the footprint, not at the stadium. Fans arrive at the ground early as it is, even without anything to do, but we should get them through the gates and into restaurants, cafes, shops and bars. Not just merchandise shops either.
The South and North stands are poor. Hundreds of office staff work in the South Stand, all office business should be relocated to Barrowfield or another area of the footprint. We are a football club which is short of premium seating area. There is a huge space which can be used for premium seating area right beside where the fans sit. Make it happen, or at the very least, tell us why such a move does not offer a return on investment.
I am more familiar with the North Stand. The top deck has fewer facilities than anywhere else in the stadium. It is also the highest part of the ground and on a warm day like Sunday, the wind will cut you in two. The premium seating area is too small to walk around, never mind properly dispense food.
This stand overhangs the Eastern Necropolis and Janefield St. Before Celtic Park was redeveloped in 1994, Janefield St was a mixed residential and commercial road. Celtic were required to keep it open for traffic. Now Celtic Park is the only property on the street and the road is a local rat-run outside of match days. The whole area should be redeveloped.
I have no idea what it is possible to do in or over the cemetery, but if there is nothing more can be done, we have to acknowledge that the North Stand Upper is under-provided for and price it accordingly. We need more premium seats (South Stand) but we will always need cheap seats. Celtic have to cater for those who cannot afford expensive days out.
If we struggle to attract players to Scotland, I am sure the support would get behind a plan to upgrade our facilities and prepare Celtic Park for the next generation. The next two years could be our last opportunity to consider this action for a very long time.
Right now, I give Celtic a 70% chance of winning the league this season (3% higher than a year ago). There is work to do, even if Matt O’Riley stays, I am not convinced with midfield, defence or attack options. Clement has his hands full but expect him to make the most of what is available to him.
There is no reason to expect anything substantial from the Champions League; the successful Gordon Strachan era is now a distant memory. What we do have, is abundant options, hard earned over decades.
Celtic Quick News started 20-years ago last week. A few months in, when we were losing on the park and letting the league slip away, I noted we were in the early years of a Generation of Domination. It was totally obvious. One large club in Scotland had a plan to pay its bills, the other was playing casino football and would inevitably crash and burn.
20 years on and nothing has changed. Celtic continue to act strategically, Newco act without a thought for tomorrow, despite John Bennett’s words. Until Newco tell their fans they need to spend less on wages and transfers, and live with coming second to Celtic for a period of years in the hope of an improvement in the medium term, nothing will change. We will lose the odd league and cup, but goodness, this Generation thing is outlasting anything we dared dream of.
Celtic is a great gift to us, enjoy every minute of the season, win, lose or draw.
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Melbourne mick
I can find plenty skerryvore tracks on YouTube but not “paradise “
Really lookinng forward to going up today…………HOWEVER 4.30 is wan big huge fekin pain in the arse!!!!!
LTC and MM
Maybe this one as it does mention Paradise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbDn7PNM0F4&ab_channel=Skerryvore
Left Tic Click :-)))
Hot smoked
I would think that was it.
Brilliant CSC
Good morning CQN.
Game day.
Here we go.
Good luck to us all.
LCT and HOT SMOKED
Thank you so much, that’s the one, thought it was called
PARADISE, fairly makes me think back to my days walking
up the Gallowgate “ Paradise is where you’re people are “
how profound.
Ready to go now after a wee tear in the eye.
Cmon you bhoys in green.
H H. Mick
Morning all.
Well today Celtic will set out on a mission to win its 34th league title in my 62 years on this planet.
Incredible given the challenges faced. Every year our representatives face up to them and more than most, in my life time, they have overcome them to win the main prize.
This is more incredible given that in the previous 62 years before I was born Celtic won just 17 league titles. For the forty years before I was born we won just 4.
We are living in great Celtic times. Personally I chose to really enjoy and appreciate them.
I also get that others, weirdly often ones who by their own admission don’t even pay to go watch, feel resentment and bitterness about a team they claim to support for whatever reasons.
BURNLEY 78
I’m with you 👍💚
Listen to that song from SKERRYVORE and ignore the
mudslingers.
H H. Mick
Aff to our AGM then bus at 12:30, plenty of time to have a few G&T’s beforehand 🍸🍹
confusion beyond belief
https://x.com/AB10_d/status/1819743240720891907?t=Bv3IeF9pLcC0l7PysayXlg&s=07
sorry………thickness beyond belief!
https://x.com/zeshankenzo/status/1820012203916857479?s=48&t=jl8af57GzOtPirWK6CoiKw
We will see how long this new rule lasts…..
And so it begins.
3 generations of McLaughlins travelling to Celtic Park today for the start of yet another exciting season.
3-0 to the Bhoys.
Hail Hail
🟩⬜🟧
Following yesterdays draw at Tynecastle, Peter Lawell has met with Brendan Rodgers to explain that previous transfer signing plans have been shelved as Celtic are now almost certain to retain the SPL Title.
Lawell has explained that the dropping of points by Celtic’s two main rivals means that the financially prudent approach of the PLC need not now be jeopardised.
Lawell had previously assured Rodgers that the club were in advanced negotiations with Real Madrid to take their young prospect, Kylian Mbappé, on loan with an option to buy (with Mikey Johnston going the other way).
Good afternoon all from Victoria Bar. Let the good times roll. 👍
/
onenightinlisbon on 3rd August 2024 12:00 pm
An Tearmann on 3rd August 2024 11:39 am
ONIL-I would do all in my power to ensure that the team from Govan was wiped from the face of the Earth.
AT-The ultimate in oldfirmism,define and involve Celtic in their progressive policy of self harm.very staunch
ONIL-Don’t see any evidence of that coming from the “Celtic men” on the board.
AT-if you see dug shite on the pavement you dont directly go and stand on it.Being staunch it would be part of your diet
ONIL-I could not care less about my Celtic Ness….being questioned.
AT- You should,you openly question others who you dont have a clue about,and going by your reply although you try hide it well your Celtic identity is wrapped up in another clubs.
Off to match now,to those boycotting,make it permanent
HH
Early this afternoon will see further patchy light rain and drizzle. In the late afternoon and evening, heavy and potentially torrential rain will move in from the west, soon becoming widespread.
Scullybhoy
It was good meeting yourself,BRRB and Leggy yesterday,always a joy to meet sound Celtic men
HH
Think I had too much sauerkraut last night but will be fit for today’s proceedings.
A few salutary words from James Connolly in a big bad leftie magazine
https://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/1908/01/harpa.htm
Holiday is over
A new season before us
Time to go to work Celtic
Do your best
For us and each other.
God bless Celtic and its supporters
HH
See the so called riots from these halfwits. Media making more of it than they need to and no doubt fuelling a lot of these idiots by giving it media coverage.
The one in Belfast, nearly all of them have Sevco tops on. No surprise there. 🙄🤮
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c728897wz85o
Celtic has won the top league in Scottish football 42% of the time it has been played for.
In the 30 years since Fergus McCann saved the club and built a stadium it was won the top league 63% of the time.
Since DD put a strategy in place with Brian Quinn and recruited Peter Lawwell to exit it 20 years ago Celtic has won the top league 75% of the time.
McCann had huge challenges with stadium etc
Lawwell had to right size the cost base to survive vs an overspending rival.
Funny how folks who contribute so much to our success as a club get abused by those who have never had an ounce of accountability !
A wee bit of gardening now and then off to paradise.
Test
I thought flag day would result in some unity of purpose, more fool me, some still want to dig up others who don’t share their view of things, too bad , plenty of differing opinions whether they are in the boardroom any boardroom or in more humble occupations, that’s the way it should be. Good luck Celtic Fc for the upcoming season.
Dynamo Kyiv-1 goal 7/2
-2 goals 10/1
Skybet
Bet responsibility
up the road …….
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/800/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/8/4/716ea01f-0b37-49b6-bf4c-50b7aa53c754.jpg.webp
Superbru Update
Full update tomorrow but, after 2 games, we have joint leaders in fitbabhoy and snapper1969, who managed to predict both of yesterday’s games as draws. There may be a glitch in the Superbru algorithm as the 3rd placed leader of the chasing Peloton is given as Friesdorfer, a predictor that has never been known to reach such heady heights. If that’s not corrected by the end of today’s 3 matches, I’ll have to write to Superbru.
https://x.com/thecasualultra/status/1819430700853956651?s=46
Cologne fans in the Cathedral
https://x.com/etimsnet/status/1820049706313043984?s=46&t=pOrZ9pt3CML1ciNbk9r58A
My Superbru predictions are just as bad as my picks on the horses. Dearie, dearie me.
Flag Day
Tifo vs Kilmarnock
Sunday, August 4th 2024
Thank you to all supporters who have so far contributed to the Flag Day full stadium tifo. Hundreds of volunteers have spent almost a hundred hours over the week preparing the tifo.
It’s now over to the entire Celtic Park support to give the Celtic team a welcome fitting for champions.
In order for the tifo to have maximum effect, we kindly ask for the following from all Celtic supporters:
– please be at your seat early, in time for Celtic entering the field
– please use the material at your seat as the Celtic team enter the field
– please continue to use your material until after the League flag has been unfurled
– please remove CSC banners/flags from tiers/rails/exits etc. during the tifo
With your continued support, we hope to create more memorable tifos throughout the season which can inspire both the team and supporters. Our tifo fund will remain open for those wishing to contribute. 🍀
BADA BING
Indeed.
Classic ‘new rules’ still happen to benefit Sevco like the old rules did.
a different kind of flag day, between this and nazi salutes in belfast they are in quite a mess
———————-
Rangers have launched an investigation into an “unacceptable” pro-Nazi banner that appeared in the away end during their 0-0 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday. The blue flag with a Totenkopf skull – also known as the “death head” – was hung from the section housing the Rangers supporters in Gorgie. The symbol represented the SS during the Second World War and became the logo of the 3rd SS Totenkopf Panzer Division, which committed war crimes during the six-year conflict. It is not the first time in the past 12 months that the Totenkopf skull has been on a flag at a Rangers match, with such insignia on display during their match at Ibrox against Aberdeen last season on Armed Forces Day. And the latest sighting of the image has sparked wide condemnation from the Rangers support online and the club itself, with a probe already under way from the hierarchy at Ibrox.
A statement from Rangers, given to The Scottish Sun, read: “Clearly this flag is absolutely unacceptable and the club condemns the displaying of it within our stadium in the strongest possible terms. The club can confirm an investigation is now under way.” Rangers are in European action on Tuesday night when they face Dynamo Kyiv in a Champions League qualifier in Lublin. The match has been moved to Poland due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, as UEFA matches cannot be played in the country. The Scotsman understands that UEFA are aware of the banner at Tynecastle on Saturday and will monitor proceedings on Tuesday night.
Utd 1 Dundee 0
Start of new season …canny wait.
Melbourne Mick
As you are 9 hours ahead of us , can you keep us updated with the score 👍🤔☘️