I read one highly unlikely article yesterday suggesting we were going to sign Alfred Finnbogason AND were still bidding big money for Kevin Doyle ahead of an 11pm tonight signing deadline. It’s hard to be so wrong in so few words, but this one hit the mark.
Alfred is a target but, and this is the key point the newspapers have not picked up on, he is one of four strikers Celtic are seriously considering at the moment. He looks the part, as do the others, I am assured, but the deal has to be right for Celtic to move.
Our strategic plan is to buy players at a comparatively low price, develop them on the Champions League stage, and sell high, in order to be able to build a team capable of competing further in the Champions League.
To do this we need to buy from the right markets, at the correct age and on the right wage. There will be exceptions to this rule. A few weeks shy of his 27th birthday, Dirk Boerrigter is unlikely to appreciate greatly, but teams need experience to tackle the Champions League, as well as some specific skills, so Dirk is here for what he can give today, not to be the next £12m exit.
We will see more business like Wanyama and Hooper. Before Celtic agree a deal for Finnbogason there would need to be a gap between the buy price and the projected valuation IF the player is a success. If this gap doesn’t exist we will do business elsewhere. Sticking to strategy is more important than pursuing a target like some latter-day David “this time we’re really going for it” Murray.
You can also forget about the 11pm deadline tonight. That is only relevant if we need two or more new players to overcome Shakhter Karagandy. If we want to add Finnbogason, or any ONE other player, the deadline for a Wildcard signing is a day before the game, or pretty much when the team leaves Glasgow Airport, so there is no effective deadline tonight. As such, I would be surprised if a deal was concluded today.
Right now, at Lennoxtown and Celtic Park, people are deciding how to invest our money. We have the kind of choices consistent with a well-run club, but while we are a well-run club, we can’t get caught up in the hubris.
We are living through some big changes in our financial model. Revenue from domestic football (season ticket sales-now discounted, Rangers game £42-per-head ticket sales, hospitality sales, commercial income) has fallen, or disappeared completely (I reckon we’re in the region of £9m p.a. down in these areas, we’ll have a better indication when accounts are released later this month). On top of this, the club was running at a loss without Champions League football or significant player sale (£7m for season 2011-12, the last we have accounts for), and as well as some income streams falling, costs have risen.
I heard that one ‘St Mirren’ supporting journo on Radio Scotland on Saturday said with last season’s Champions League income and money from player sales, Celtic have a £40m transfer kitty.
In the name of all that is sacred, nine years after ‘What the Celtic fans want to know is where is all the Seville money?’, the same nonsense is being peddled. As far as some are concerned, we are back where we started on CQN. The first thing you do with your money is pay your bills, including tax… there is no creditor left behind at Celtic. After they are taken care off you can look to invest in footballers.
This year, the underlying loss has been flipped because of player sales and that Champions League income, although not by nearly as much as journos who regard researching accounts before commenting on finance as an unnecessary indulgence, will tell you. Without Champions League income (this season potentially £14m plus any prize money earned), the money from Wanyama alone would not make this a profitable season, even before the spend on our new signings.
The road ahead is clear. Get into the Champions League as often as possible without allowing any individual failure to cause a collapse, sign players who will flourish at that level, sell them for a profit, repeat and reinforce all aspects of strategy with an improved budget.
Over any business period, every penny which comes into the club, has been, and will continue to be, spent. Our money will be invested in footballers who will appreciate in value, and who will give Celtic their best chance of pushing further in the Champions League on a persistent basis. It will not rest in a bank account earning a pittance in interest. The strategy is ambitious and sustainable but not reckless.
A year ago some wondered if Celtic could survive, never mind flourish, without a Rangers-branded club in the league. If successful, this strategy will not only allow the club to flourish, it may even result in higher long-term income than Celtic achieved while locked in an arms race with a former rival, with a corresponding improvement in Champions League achievement.
Is Alfred Finnbogason the man, is he better than the others we’re looking at, good enough to excel in the Champions League? I’ve no idea, but he is just one detail in the wider Celtic strategy.
Stick to plan, Celtic.
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bigngreen
That’s just what I was wondering. Because he has a claim of sorts against their beloved team maybe?
I don’t think fans are being negative. Just realistic
According to Paul’s leader our club would be in financial trouble if we had not sold the 3 players. I think that is tosh.
We have to face facts. We have no goal scorer up front due to our failed striker transfer policy over the last 4 years
If we want this Alfie dude then just offer 6m and get on with it
Keep the rest of money if they want , but a striker is our top priority. Forget about our policy of buying potential as goal scorers are a premium The Dutch club said they received a not very interesting offer from us. Just get finger out and get a deal done
We would all be delighted if we picked up a Bargain goal scorer but we have left it too late and have failed with that policy apart from hooper in the last 5 years
Top of the morning to you all from a cloudy Fife.
25 years you say Jobo?
Pah, just a starter at the game.
Wonder if Sevco will see 25?
Months that is!
Happy Anniversary – Mr & Mrs Baldie
P.S. The two best folk I have met in my life
My Wife and my Son
God Bless
bazza67
09:20 on
13 August, 2013
Can we just leave it out all together please!!
Its garbage
Long time lurker…but id have to agree with those who say we should have had replacements lined up for hooper and wanyama…it really isn’t rocket science…..sell one, buy one.
if we want to approach the level of last season, it wont be done by weakening the team.
HH
If Ahmed is suing Sevco for £3.4m with CG blessing then I wonder if this is al part of the master plan to liquidate Sevco and in so doing write off all the loans made to the Spivs in repayment for the £6.0m plus interest at 40 per cent CG handed over to duff and phelps.
By the time the case comes to court the £10m left will also have been siphoned off so time to get out of here!
Champions League games at CP from this moment forward will be p#sh atmosphere wise without the Magnificent Green Brigade. imo
The Jungle would have sacked the ‘bored’ by now – CSC
Away oot tae watch some Cellic DVD’s were the fans would sing withoot some ghuy havin tae play YNWA over the tannoy :)
Hail Hail – Off oot.
KevJungle – “C’mon the Cellic !!!”
08:59 on
13 August, 2013
Is it the advertising at CP that makes you buy it ? :))
As for the Celtic View. Really . Thats for the weans to read is it not.
“The Celtic bored don’t think that the Cellic supporters deserve to be watching players of that calibre. imo”
Really dont know about that one. Cannot comment on what the board think do not have the psychic ability for that one. :))
“No ‘bored’ will respect a bunch of sheep who continually – joost turn up – hand over their hard earned cash and, remain locked on the OOTSIDE of THEIR club. imo”
That would be the majority of football boardrooms around the world then.
Come to think of it you mat just have something there. :))
If it wisnae so early I would pour myself a hauf at this point.
HH Kev keep up the good fight.
“@ChrisGraham76: For all those still defending these horrible fockers. Open your eyes.”
O dear
That time of year again – fantasy football!
fantasy.premierleague.com
If you played last year, just redo your team for this year and you are able to renew yourself in the CQN league
If you are new, 5 minute registration, set up your team and then use this code to join the league
Code to join this league: 383718-99007
Classic league, at the end of the season, person with the most number of points wins!
Ill try to keep you all updated on CQN, was rubbish at it last year but will improve his year :)
Got around 75 already so far so should be an exciting season
HH
We all know PL is not going to sanction 5 million euros on the iceman…my guess is kevin doyle or billy sharp….and id be very disappointed if that happened.
I understand paul67 argument…but we could go backwards very quickly if we don’t unearth a proper striker…which will no doubt affect attendance at CP.
Mr Lawell…we aren’t asking for the moon on a stick, or for a massive spending frenzy…no.
just buy us a decent striker please…I wouldn’t say that’s asking too much….would you? HH
Sold the best midfielder at the club
Sold the best striker at the club
Sold the best centre back at the club
Sold the best singers at the club
Morning All
I noticed last night a few posting that Celtic had no ambition to get beyond the last 16 of the CL. I thought that was quite funny. My view was that anything past that would be a real over-achievement. I pulled out a few figures looking at the squad value of the last 16 teams from last year. It’s current team value estimates from:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk.
Porto £185m
Malaga £45.5m
Shakhtar D. £145m
Borussia D. £250m
Real Mad. £495m
Man Utd. £345m
Galatasaray £140m
Schalke £140m
Arsenal £260m
Bayern £440m
Celtic £48m
Juventus £330m
Valencia £135m
P.S.G. £345m
Milan £195m
Barcelona £515m
There are a few points to take from this
1) Celtic and Malaga are the big over-achievers – although I’ve heard it said that Porto has similar turnover and wages but is able to buy/sell in more lucrative markets than us. The Malaga squad may have had significant sell-offs.
2) A quick glance through the group stages shows that most clubs there have far more expensive squads than us… Man City and Chelsea spring to mind.
3) A reasonable ambition for us would be to win our league, qualify for the CL and sometimes push our way into the last 16. Under GS and NL we are overachieving.
4) The gap between us and other teams is not bridgeable by a little bit more ambition (e.g. moving from buy for £3m sell for £6m to buy for £6m sell for £12m). We should perhaps do this but it wont catapult us into a higher echelon.
Headtheball
would look like that’s what they mean……..still to see failed businessman SDM described as a disgrace though
Very many congratulations to the Baldies. 25 years, eh.
Jobo, you must be up for probation soon, surely? Or are you a confirmed lifer with nothing but opprobrium to look forward to :¬)
I am bored stiff with geeting for a striker.
If we havnt got the first choice in yet, then who knows why. Why just make a reason up.
What if Alfred doesnt hit the ground scoring. I think we are heaping an awful lot of expectation on a new messiah.
In Lennon, and the bhoys we allready have, I trust.
The Kazakis really, people really really scared of them, really.
Who are they ?
and that doesnt mean I am underestimating them, but when our team play well (even missus the 3 players who left) we have enough class left to beat most over two legs.
IMHO.
Off topic
I have just had an e-mail to say I have been allocated a Ryder Cup ticket for the Friday ,any CQN bloggers going I have a parking space in Stirling west
Morning all
Apologies for an il-considered ramble last night which most of you will have had the sense to scroll by.
But I still dont think the comparison between our current situation and that of 2003 holds much water. Peter Lawwell and others connected to the hierarchy of the club are always telling the world how well we are managing our finances and are carrying little in the way of debt. If we are still living the kind of sporting equivalent of a hand to mouth existence after two unbudgeted for windfalls in a year ( CL run and sale of VW) then they were not telling the whole truth before , are not telling the whole truth now or we aren’t being run nearly as prudently as we think we are.
Apologies for rambling again – I blame the neighbour’s car alarm going off at 2am
BlearyeyedevenwithoutbeerCSC
When are the accounts out anyway ?
Get to the last 16…swell the bank account…..no way past the last 16….would mean buying in 2 – 3 players……massive gamble for the bored…..do it my way says big pierre 20 m a year makes sense…………havin a laugh
.
Conglats to Mr & Mrs Balde..25Yrs Hmmmm..
Don’t tell me You proposed after we Won the Centenary Title in 88′..?
..;-)
Summa
Failure to replace the top players we sell surely risks sapping the morale of the remaining squad, particularly any who are genuinely interested in moving the club forward in the long term.
By selling the best players without replacing with quality (or at all), the club is saying to the current 1st team- “if you excel, we will sell you”, “if you stay, you will be playing with weaker teammates”.
A dynamic club needs new blood. Players need challenges. The fans hate stagnation.
The worry of dwindling attendances, falling merchandise revenue, increasingly parsimonious TV income etc. will become self-fulfilling in the absence of some dynamism from the club.
Get the finger out, Pedro.
HH for the GB
@ Saint Stivs
Who are the Kazakhs?
Who were the mighty Elfsborg? We only managed to beat them 1-0 over two legs. The team we are due to face have an outfield average height of 6’2 and will be looking to defend deep and score from set pieces. Given the fact that we seem incapable of scoring a couple goals, the tie could very well be decided by one goal, hence everyone’s anxiety.
It is absolutely ridiculous that we find ourselves in this position. Last year, a last 16 CL team; this year, a team with Stokes leading the front line.
sydneytim- “If we want this Alfie dude then just offer 6m and get on with it”
You must be a salesman’s dream- just hand over the cash.
Picture the scenario, after the deal Heerenveen say “we would have accepted £5m”
You have just wasted £1m. Explain that to your bosses.
That’s why you are a blogger and Peter Lawwell is CE of Celtic plc
Oh look who’s changed their mind again.
@chrisgraham76 tinfoil nut.
For all those still defending these horrible fu*****. Open your eyes.
That boy is a laughing stock amongst the Sevco support, no i take that back you couldn’t embarrass that lot.
That boy is obsessed with a white knight riding in and spending millions and challenging the mighty Glasgow Celtic.
hen1rik
10:20 on
13 August, 2013
That boy is obsessed with a white knight riding in and spending millions and challenging the mighty Glasgow Celtic.
Read back on CQN many posters obsessed with a white knight spending his cash at Celtic
bigngreen
09:15 on
13 August, 2013
DISGRACED former Rangers director Imran Ahmad
What has he done to be described as disgraced ??
He joined THEM.
I am really upset at myself for clicking that Twitter link to the Daily Record front page.
It says in a banner at the top something about an in-depth report on which supermarket sells the best women’s underwear.
Sweet Lord Jesus have mercy on us.
What came first, newspapers writing meaningless drivel to prevent people from concentrating on things that matter, or newspapers feeling they had to fill their pages with meaningless drivel because the populace could no longer be bothered with things that really matter?
Definitely the former. What an utter charade Scotland’s mass media have become. The best example you ever saw of something needing to be ripped to pieces and rebuilt from scratch. Apart from the SFA.
Few months ago the club was trying to convince us we could go 1 step further in the cl…..not with this team we wont…..i guess the phrase “punching above our weight” will be with us for long and weary……2 0r 3 players in then maybe last eight………..wonder what the reward is for reaching the last 8…..betcha big pierre has done his sums
Senator John Kerry advises both parties not to act adversely to building of more Israeli settlements. Getting their own way again, Israelis are hardly likely to.
And as for Palestinians. Well its a 21st century version of ‘Lie down croppies, lie down.
Absolutely no solution to problem until Palestinian votes equal Israeli votes in America.
Celtic_First
As a number of posters have exemplified over the past 24 hours, thinking for one’s self is just too darned hard.
BTW
Recommendos for a Saturday night in the environs of Santander? (I’ve forgotten your earlier advice. Remembering stuff is just too darned hard…)
What’s going on at Sevco Media? I sometimes lurk at the ‘bears mess’ area for a Schadenfreude boost but the most recent postings are from 2011; has it been made registration only?
Hoopsbhoy1
10:17 on
13 August, 2013
Correct on all counts. Far too much is being left to chance – totally unprofessional given the money that is at stake.
dontpatmadug
08:50 on 13 August, 2013
SPOT ON……
Celtic_First
10:34 on
13 August, 2013
http://www.upworthy.com/watch-a-talk-show-host-get-remarkably-profound-seriously-just-watch-him-for-3-minutes-2?g=2
This guy has a fair go at answering your question IMO
Can see us getting pipped to this Finnbogason signing if we don’t move quickly. I understand what the signing policy is but this boys goals to game ratio speaks for itself. I will be devastated if he goes elsewhere then we pay over the odds for Kevin Doyle as a knee-jerk reaction. I know who I’d rather have.