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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1-1
A very good derby two attacking teams hopefully a sign of things to come teams having a go.
2-1 Utd
What boycott is happening today and why?
I hope the Euros has had an influence on the domestic scene attack have a go and we see less of the snore fests I live in hope.
Hot Smoked on 4th August 2024 1:57 pm
the rangers board are boycotting ibrox
Saint Stivs on 4th August 2024 2:03 pm
:-)))
Sensible chaps
Burnley78 on 4th August 2024 12:34 pm
A fine post (IMO) but STILL many will be disappointed that we are not winning enough.
Cheerio for now.
ERATIC
Big decision coming now, do I have a nap, and hopefully
waken for the game or carry on manfully and get pashed,
and remember nothing about the game.
H H. Mick
MM
As the old saying goes….its wine o’clock somewhere 👍🍺🍷
Enjoy 👍😂☘️
🎶 Paradise is wherever your people are
Your alive with the ones that you love 🎶
SKERRYVORE
Getting nostalgic now, what a blessing having Celtic
in our lives.
H H. Mick
According to Burnley78 (@12.34)
“in the 30 years since Fergus McCann saved the club (and built the stadium) it has won the top league 63% of the time”
Which is 18.9 times
Which is not easy
According to Burnley78 (@12.34)
“in the 30 years since Fergus McCann saved the club (and built the stadium) it has won the top league 63% of the time”
Which is 18.9 times
Which is not easy
—
the season got cut short in 2020 so we were only awarded 0.9 of the league title.
probably.
The trophy was presented that year with one handle missing .
Watch the highlights later of the Dundee derby. Why does Dundee’s keeper not get sent off? Wipes a guy out who could have followed his chip in and scored. Clearly denying a goal scoring opportunity.
On the Queens Park Cafe bus to Paradise. Bus was held up to let an old drunk on.
Kuhn and forrest both start todsy
On the Queens Park Cafe bus to Paradise. Bus was held up to let an old drunk on.
—
the driver?
Watch the highlights later of the Dundee derby. Why does Dundee’s keeper not get sent off? Wipes a guy out who could have followed his chip in and scored. Clearly denying a goal scoring opportunity.
—
i couldnt get that either.
all i can think is that he didnt prevent a goalscoring chance because the forward got his shot away before getting clubbed so in that case the ref would just need to decide if the challenge was violent enough for a red which it wasnt obviously
Eight posts in the hour before the Season`s KO?
Hmm…
Let’s all do the huddle
Aye, he’s got lost twice.
leftclicktic on 4th August 2024 3:29 pm
Kuhn and Forrest` both start today`
Has the team been announced?
Let’s all do the huddle
Aye, he’s got lost twice.
—
what – trying to find the drivers seat? 😄
How`s the weather in Glasgow?
Eight posts in the hour before the Season`s KO?
Hmm…
—
usually find its quiet just before a game because many folk are en route to the game or to go somewhere to watch it
MON the HOOPS.
JUST DAE IT CELTIC.
HH
CELTIC: Schmeichel, A. Johnston, Scales, Carter-Vickers, Taylor, Hatate, O’Riley, McGregor, Kuhn, Kyogo, Forrest.
Subs: Sinisalo, Palma, Yang, Holm, Iwata, Bernardo, Ralston, Welsh, M.Johnston
T
I need beer. 🍺
lets all do the huddle on 4th August 2024 3:36 pm
That makes sense but as, for the first time in seventeen years I am not one of them, I wasn`t really aware of that.
Thanks anyway.
`bigrailroadblues on 4th August 2024 3:43 pm
I need beer. `
You could type that instead of good morning:-))
Tobago Street on 4th August 2024 3:40 pm
Thanks for that. Looks an exciting line-up.
Cheerio for now.
Easy Peasy Hot Smoked
T
I can’t be at the match today as I am on holiday in Croatia but I hope it is a great day for the fans, a great performance by the team and a top-of-the-table position by tonight.
Enjoy it if you are there and keep the updates going.