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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Bada
The very old rule was you had to false start twice – this caused multiple delays to the start – they then changed it to after the first false start any subsequent false start by anyone then they were disqualified.
The issue with that was then the first false start got away with it- but the second one ( even if it was their first one ) got disqualified.
Good result for St Pauli today, winning 3-1 at Norwich.
Jinkyredstar- I don’t think it can be done ,with the technology now,these guys are nervous as well,it’s far too harsh
Gene- I do remember that rule ,possibly getting used tactically, but it’s brutal
If Scullybhoy is in the Brauhaus I am oat the long table on the left as you come in the door
Dark green shirt
Bada, I agree, but when a win gets down to hundredths of a second a ‘flying start’ is a lethal weapon.
SFTB
Reading a James Forrest article reminds me of watching a Stewart Lee show
You listen to a joke which is over two hours long waiting for the punchline….
But there isn’t a punchline….
That’s the punchline
Laugh….I nearly died….
Ordinary Joe, you’ll like this…
We had the EDL in town today…
Someone from the immigrant community posted on Social Media…
:I feel very disrespected, firstly they come uninvited, then they’ve turn up late….
Hail Hail
love the simple mantra paul 67 –
‘but we should get them through the gates and into restaurants, cafes, shops and bars’
The recent changes to the grounds already give the home games an ‘event ‘ feel rather than going to a game. It looks great; even relatively recent statues and plaques have lifted the place and you can see kids of all ages getting excited about them. It’s easy for me to say that when I don’t see the ground week in week out.; I get up to 5-10 games a year but I think we’re already on the way to paul67’s vision. (FLLLLaaaagggggg dayyyyyyy)!
Celtic fans’ media 🤔
I tuned in because I thought it was well intentioned, reasonably balanced commentary.
Unfortunately egos have taken over and they’re all trying to out-do each other with click bait.
I’m sure most are Celtic supporters, but it’s interesting to see them sell their soul for a few clicks.
SMSM, who needs them?
Evening all.
I’ve been given the opportunity to be in attendance for tomorrows game.
Thanks Lascelle my nephew (Luton CSC).
sweet BB
Forrest’s article,not one piece of evidence.Lots of hearsay.Lots of supposition.Not surprised it was pulled.CPS would not touch that with a ten foot pole.Pushing his luck to the limit,cashing in on the dislike for PL from the fan base to print,what can only be called,a work of fiction,as not one written word can be proved,to discredit the man in public.
Whether you like ,hate,are neutral about the man,this should not stand,and Celtic totally within their rights to take action.
Any news on Clements inclusion of Propper,in his EURO squad,when not yet registered to play today?.
Just want to take a minute from watching the Olympics to congratulate Paul on 20 years of CelticQuickNews. I salute your indefatigability, Sir. Thank you Paul for providing us with such a great blog to air our views, let off steam and spout absolute nonsense on a daily basis. I have been on here for 18 years and had 2 or 3 flounces (no tutu involved). My mates still slag me for the shortest flounce ever. I flounced but posted an hour later 🤣 My wife still comes home and enquires why I haven’t completed the tasks on the To Do List. Have you been on that CelticQuickNews again???
I blame you Paul.
A wee tune, if the blog doesn’t mind.
Killing Joke – Eighties
https://youtu.be/x1U1Ue_5kq8?si=0vVRwfbBR-NlTxq5
Excellent point TOSB – I started in 2005, many great posters then, you can agree or disagree with the lead article or individual contributions but still the place to be.
Thank you Paul
brilliant tosb; we’ve all flounced one way or another
There you go.
Just tuned in to Celtic Fans TV starting 11 prediction.
Switched off before the prediction because the host puffs it out trying to predict the Kilmarnock team.
Jeezo folks, sometimes more is not better.
Nite y’all
Stay classy’
Tell your friends, they’ll like it,
It’s good to be a Tim.
HH
Brian.
I didn’t know what to make of WICKED LETTERS LETTERS (netflix) at first or what it made of irishness but sweet jaysus the stellar cast nails it.
Good night you absolute rabble.
SIN CITY BHOY on
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.
………
If JF didny write about the PLC’s old firm same club ticket fraud ie:
Putting old Huns £49 ticket prices onto newly promoted Hun club tickets to keep the same club lie a thing, then JF is a fraud like the rest of DimDumb and Celtic Cyberspace Frauds everywhere you look be it blogs [ ALL of them ] podcasts or other boring dance around the issue types of pishfests!
PS Why to Tims wait till they EACH give the PLC board £700+ and then go onto blogs crying their eyes out about the PLC board?
Answer – Because they are FRAUDS x 60,000.
CHAIRBHOY on
Ordinary Joe, you’ll like this…
We had the EDL in town today…
Someone from the immigrant community posted on Social Media…
:I feel very disrespected, firstly they come uninvited, then they’ve turn up late….
Hail Hail
…………..
The dugs on the streets are awe saying the “EDL” disbanded two years ago I mention this as you put their name into a post on a Celtic blog and I merely replied.
Don`t worry about the riots this 👇️ guy will be back in a month to remedy the situation.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GUFpoNmW8AAX_Ak?format=jpg&name=large
A song from the old days .
https://youtu.be/3n6TPo9ri6A?feature=shared
Back in from driving duties.
Whatan absolute fuckin pain it is to get logged in here for a read back.
Host not care anymore
Or not
Another season starts. Great to be a Tim. Now that I’m retired I hope today will be the first of many visits to Paradise this year.
🇵🇸🍀💚🇳🇬💚🍀🇵🇸
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Gerrintaethum Celtic!!!!
Good morning from an overcast North Staffs
I know it has to be Sunday because Kilmarnock played Thursday, but 16.30
As Jock said
Football without Sky is nothing
Good morning all from a wet underfoot Garngad.
Still no upgrades at LB, CB, CF…please god not MJ up top, but alas Me thinks we are stuck with this guy for the 1st 5,6,7 games of season.
Ah I forgot PETE THE LIAR playing football manager.
Let MJ go and further his career.
3 points today Celtic that’s all that matters.
D. :)
I see there were several acts of thuggery and violence yesterday- no I’m not talking about yesterday’s game in Edinburgh- no I’m referring to cities in England, my own nearest included.
It’s amazing how they want to protect their country from immigration but are happy to burn cars and buildings on the way.
Excellent article.
Detailed, relevant and honest. CQN at its best.
Always felt the opening game of the season, with the flag unfurling, could be something of a banana skin. Lots of distractions and stiff limbs.
Could be close. I won’t be disappointed with a 2-0.
The excitement of a new season.
Twelve teams with an identical chance of winning the league and the one that finishes top at the end will be the one that had the best board.
Just need a score draw today to take an early lead in the old firm championship!
C’mon the hoops!
Hello again all you young rebels
Here we go again, another new season starts for the Celtic
express.
What a buzz those bhoys give me every year win , lose, or draw.
Passing the time waiting on the gemme, as we are up in the
sunshine state now, so do as the locals do, so bought a two
seater kayak, I know.. I know 78 years young and still trying to
be a teen lol.
Me and wee Grace out on the ocean waves with our fishing rods.
Don’t think I’ve quite mastered the hook , line, and sinker thingy
yet, but quite sure we’ll hook a gullabilly next time, apparently
they bite at anything.
Score for today ?
Very confidently predict a 4-0 to the Celts, as I said in my last post
on here, after a right palaver to log in, I sense this team will excel
this season, and yes we do need some more quality in.
I’m confident that will happen.
Going to listen to a bit of SKERRYVORE now, wonderful track on
their best of called PARADISE, wonder if any of you fine bhoys
can bring it up on here, it should be a Celtic anthem in my humble
opinion.
And sip a wee biddy of course 🍷💚🇮🇪
H H. Mick
🎶 Celtic, Celtic that’s the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,
They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,
From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,
To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.
Celtic, Celtic that’s the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,
There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there’s ever been,
Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,
And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly shout the news. 🎶
My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
And they’re like, it’s better than yours
Damn right it’s better than yours
coybig