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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Nay cutting edge a huge boost for us and an opportunity to go a couple of points ahead of the 2nd and 3rd place contenders.
Huns exactly the same as last season
Fourstonecoppi
Not sure it’s wise to write off anybody after 90 mins of the League.
Remember Ange’s start
Current bun have reported the Sevco supports Nazi banner
https://x.com/Br7do/status/1819727191678005328?t=kq-yjK6Mgp_X4rhw14MhuQ&s=19
!!BADA BING!!
I’d be surprised if they’re even as good as last season .
Huns are worse than last season. This is not clementes first season either. Watching clementes interview last week, I thought he was on the wind up when he said “this was not what I had expected!”. Seeing the line up today, their preseason performances &, today’s result it becomes clear they are in trouble. A big difference from last year is that they had that belief they could better Celtic. That ship has sailed. Without a major rebuild they were always going to struggle. They have players they don’t want & did not replace the players thst have gone. They will have a tough fight for 3rd. They also look like a team that will be playing in the european conference cup
bournesouprecipe on
In shock news from Edinburgh………….. Sevco still shyte
…………….
No wonder the Slick PLC don`t need to spend any dough.
120+ million££££ and the PLC canny touch it?
Or the “Child Abuse Cases” must be through the roof?
And to think that way back in the day wee Fergus had a street parade as the hero who crushed the “abuse scandal” out of Celtic`s history “Forever” the wee hero said!
Awe the wee fake did was lie his arse aff!
Its funny that when the Scottish natz became the local Guvernment awe these “new” Celtic Child Abuse Cases awe started to appear.
DimDumb totally sucks!
AURORABOREALIS79 @ 2:07 PM,
Thought you were having a pop at a poster who had been listing the player transfers in the SPL
A bit silly of me – as it was another blog and the ghuy is big enough and ugly enough to look after himself…
Cheers…
Hail Hail
Ordinary Joe, did you wear your full kit & scarf to the game today? Have ye burned it yet?
As I said we will win the TREBLE.
We still need players though and Brendan is not gappy at the length of time it’s taking.
D. :)
Happy
Just waiting on Stebhoy,who has been regaling the Blog about how good their signings have been,and how it will be 50/50 this season.
Nothing against Stebhoy,but the amount of people who wring their hands,worry about what might happen,League,Transfer window,and make,what might be forecasts,disappear into the crowd,don’t hold their hands up when they are made to look like trumpets.
BRs press conference was brilliant.No doubt in my mind,who is in charge.We will get his signings in.
What? The Club’s hierarchy told James Forrest he had better take his blog doon for expressing his opinion?
The truth hurts for sure. Allegedly and apparently. LOLZ.
Idah a sub for Norwich v St Pauli
“Meanwhile in Northern Ireland Unbelievable scenes as Protestants & Catholics put their age old difference aside & unite against Globalist controlled immigration ruining their Country.”
https://x.com/BGatesIsaPyscho/status/1819718855750472097
Wakey Wakey Dimmy!
Sin city
I can only surmise that there maybe a case of defamation involved
Bada Bing @ 3:27 pm,
St Pauli 2-0 up
There going to need a better striker…
Hail Hail
Maestro on 3rd August 2024 1:50 pm
https://x.com/bhoysviews/status/1819493644161917401?t=dxN8nDfGWye67dKwP8-oDw&s=19
Can anyone put up what JAMES FORREST wrote or is that not allowed. PLEASE.
Just watched the hun v hun game on delay 💤
Good game at times, Dessers is shite.
Good points drop to start their season.
The Rubber hits the Road, Ramorra – 3 points bhoys 🍀
hoopid stuns
Favourite Uncle @3:44
I think this is a copy of the article, as has same title as the removed one and posted a day ago.
https://medium.com/@lundy11111/there-is-some-discussion-some-of-it-heated-amongst-our-fans-right-now-over-who-is-to-blame-for-02bb358c99fe
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland Unbelievable scenes as Protestants & Catholics put their age old difference aside …. defintely a hun
Racists are not anti globalists. Infact those fannies are making the globalists work easy.
Are you too a useful idiot?
Hertz v Huns…
I watched the whole game and BOTH teams were poor at keeping possession.
I also see that CLEMENT is STILL telling LIES as he claimed after the game…” Oscar Cortes was hurt after falling down UNDER A TACKLE”….!
There was ” NO TACKLE” as the Hertz player simply ran alongside Cortes, who appeared to twist his ankle while running and fell down.
Clement the Clown likes to see things that NO OTHERS can see if it suits his agenda. Clement must have had a good view of Cortes injuring himself as it happened reasonably close to the Huns Dug Out.
CHUMP CLEMENT the LIAR..
HH.
Test
rebuswad on 3rd August 2024 4:10 pm
Thanks for posting that. A bit longwinded as per usual with JAMES but he gets it spot on. What is peter the liar going to say was wrong in the article.?
Pleasantly surprised by that result earlier today. The huns must be pretty poor if they can’t beat a team that usually lies down for them.
I said it yesterday, that Board of theirs is more stupid than I thought giving Cement a contract extension. He simply can’t drop any more points until he comes to Celtic Park. If he does and we beat them………… Love it.
Big Jimmy
Remember that clown Clement, after the cup final, declared that they were the better team and dominated the game with 38% possession of the game. Good luck with that one ya Baldie Belgium 🙃
I see there are 4 plastic pitches in the 8 team Championship.
With the SPFL banning plastic from the start of next season, I’m assuming if one of these teams gets promoted they will have no option but to lay a grass pitch?
Rebuswad
That’s the first time I was able to read the article if it is the correct one that was pulled.
As far as I can see, someone at CP contacted James and asked told him to take it down under threat.
James decided to do so as, like most bloggers, he cannot afford to risk the expense of legal action. Even if he were to eventually win the case. That is how most big companies and personalities silence criticism i.e. because they can afford to pay the price of Law.
That being said, I think there are problems with, at least, the grammar in the article:-
“We know he was perhaps the most hands-on CEO in British football. ”
You cannot use the word know and pair it with perhaps.
I cannot know that you are the bigger eejit in the known world. I can think it and I can express it but I cannot know it unless I know you intimately, and James does not know PL intimately. From that careless start, James adds supporting evidence about what people have said about him publicly and privately, allegedly, but did not provide instances of that supporting evidence. When you build a case out of imagination, hearsay and a long held view about something, you can ignore all alternative explanations such as Dermot Desmond sanctions every action that Peter takes. I have no knowledge ig=f that is true or not, but it’s plausible enough to make me stop and question a One eyed view of the situation.
It is not a good look for Celtic to go threatening blogs. I am finding it hard to see why James was singled out for this treatment and I’m saddened by it but….. let’s remember Peter’s house was firebombed and nobody got prosecuted for it. I would be astonished if it was carried out by a disgruntled blogger or someone inspired by bad words on a blog- more likely real criminals- and most likely involved in some branch of football operations.
James should go on criticising what he wishes about Celtic. No side has published what exactly was the bone of contention in the article and, until that happens, I’ll keep my opinion on truth or fact to myself.
The Mighty Gers remain unbeaten this season…and yet to concede a goal..Once their new signings bed in we could be in trouble
Absolutely no chance of Lawwell wanting any articles on here taken down, that’s a certainty
Bada
That made me laugh out loud 🤣 👏👏
I’m absolutely sure Naibalance would have said the exact same if the penalty was against Celtic…..
I was sent a copy of the contraband JF article by email this morning .
In my group chat most felt that he made some reasonable assumptions .
I tried to put my personal dislike for his longwindedness aside .
He still seemed to be boosting his ego by implying that he was equal to an M 15 agent ,when analysing information.
I must admit to admiring his courage in writing the article initially.
It does leave a bad taste in my mouth ,if it is true ,that Celtic have bullied him into submission ,but if I believed that I has been similarly misrepresented ,then I may have been tempted to take a similar course of action .
TT
Tom English saying the Huns fall for people who “sound convincing” and gave Micky Mouth Beale as an example.
Anyone with an ounce of intelligence could see Beale was a complete BS merchant.
Guys getting disqualification for 1 false start is total nonsense, that’s 4 years work away,for a millisecond
Bada – point taken but a false start is the same as ‘TavPen’ – seeking to gain an advantage and hoping nobody notices