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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ekbhoy
08:34 on 13 August, 2013
Whit ur they like…..hahahaha
Electronic Tims @ETimsNet 14m
Our Wee mans pished stained source tells us Alfie has informed his agent who has informed Lawwell that Alfie wants to be Celtic’s next No 7
Thought i would add this to the nonsense of transfer rumours
A MYSTERY buyer yesterday snapped up 2.02million shares in crisis club Rangers.
The 3.1 per cent stake would put the holder among the top ten Ibrox stakeholders.
A source said: “There’s much speculation as to who flogged and bought them. A number of those smaller investors could be trying to increase their stake.”
The sale would have netted £800,000. A possible candidate is money man Kieran Prior, 34, who last night refused to confirm or deny he was the seller.
The City whizzkid — who suffers from cerebral palsy and has one of the world’s highest IQ levels — is close to dumped ex-chairman Malcolm Murray, who is part of the group led by ex-director Paul Murray trying to overthrow the club’s regime.
Chief exec Craig Mather was due to meet investors yesterday — in a bid to reassure major shareholders that Rangers’ finances are sound.
It’s not known if they met Prior. Stock exchange rules prevent large investors including former chief Charles Green from selling until December.
Last night a club spokesman would not comment.
ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson last night opened the World Cup door for Fraser Forster and insisted it is not Champions League or bust for the Celtic keeper.
Forster believes playing in the group stages could boost his World Cup dream.
But Hodgson, said: “We know Fraser Forster well and I like the boy. It would not be accurate to say everything for him depends on making the Champions League.
“I have been happy with Fraser when he has come with us, just as we have been happy when Jack Butland and Alex McCarthy have come with us. We have three senior keepers as well in Joe Hart, Ben Foster and John Ruddy.
“Fraser Forster’s task, if you like, will be to knock two of them off their perch before we can consider him for England.
“We have been more than happy with him when he’s been here to train with the squad — and we definitely follow his progress at Celtic.
“Fraser is in my thoughts when I consider our goalkeeper options.
“It’s got nothing to do with Champions League. As long as he is playing for Celtic and doing well we will still be looking at him.
“But he will have to accept he’s got very stiff competition for a place.”
Meanwhile, Hodgson revealed his respect for Scotland counterpart Gordon Strachan, and paid tribute to the stunning win in Croatia.
The Three Lions gaffer, who confirmed he will use Wayne Rooney against Scotland, is only too aware of how much the return of this historic fixture means to Scots.
Hodgson added: “I certainly hope this game is going to mean a lot to us as well.
“I can only say good things about Gordon Strachan. I’ve known him a long time and have always had a very good relationship with him.
“I respected him very much as a player, and I respected him a lot when he was a manager at places like Coventry and Southampton where I ran across him. He has now got the Scotland job. It seems everyone is happy about that and they are happy with him.
“He is coming here on the back of a very good result, beating Croatia away is no easy task.
“We know he is going to prepare his team well and when Scotland come to Wembley they are going to be as fired up as it is possible to be for a friendly.
“They are going to be desperate to get a good result against us.
“It is up to us to make sure we are ready for the game as well. We are playing at home and it is not an easy fixture.”
dessybhoy
10:00 on 13 August, 2013
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
I’ve attend Ryder Cups both here and USA, from experience get yourself a spot around the first green before the first ball is struck. You then get to see the the approach to the green from all four groups. Once they’ve all gone threw, pick your group and follow.
Enjoy
Sydneytim
“If we want this Alfie dude then just offer 6m and get on with it”
Every day I wake up glad that people like you are not running my club.
Finnbogason
This morning’s speculation —–Italian style .
Lazio have a long standing interest .
Lazio made enquiries .
Lazio were put off by the asking price .
Lazio are going to have another go at getting him .
The Italian media are running quotes from Finnbogason’s agent which state that he has had no dealings with Lazio.
The Italian media are running quotes from suits at Heerenveen stating that they want to keep Finnbogason but are prepared to let him go in exchange for big money..
Some Italian journos claim that the following are interested —–
AC Milan
Lazio .
Werder Bremen
Borussia Dortmund
Valencia
Sunderland
Celtic .
We’ll see
I understand the concerns of paul67 and financial prudence is a strength of our board, however,…in order for us to reach the last 16 beating barca on the way, we needed the quality of Hooper, Wanyama, Wilson etc….to sell the spine of a team with great potential is not wise…unless of course you have replacements lined up.
We will not be able to compete this season in Europe, unless we recruit suitable replacements…you all saw how we performed against Elfsborg, it wasn’t nice to watch, abysmal some said…..and it was abysmal.
But…if PL can manage to unearth a decent proven striker…I will be the first to say well done …so….what are you waiting for Peter?
HH
craigneuktommygemmell
His ratio last season is good but before that he was average.
A bit of perspective needed. I don’t think you need to be “devastated” if he does not sign. I’m sure we will sign someone of good pedigree but I would not get too fixated with Finboggson
Boy posted these on twitter ALERT ALERT its ClydeSSB.
Via @stevendoyle75 this chap Davie on Clyde leaves the panel without an answer, particularly the thicko Dalziel http://t.co/hVduFnUWjN”
Great call from James on SSB http://t.co/ZKqi9QSX5k
Transfer window closes on September 2nd. Still got 20 days left. I’ll not panic just yet.
TBB
Honestly, I’ve not been there for 20 years. I did a wee search on google.es for ‘Restaurante de toda la vida en Santander’.
A ‘de toda la vida’ restaurant would be one that’s been there ‘for ever’ and is, by definition, very popular with the locals.
So this link gives you the results. I like the look of the first one. The last critique is negative, but all the others look excellent, in my opinion. There will be lots of places to choose from. If you are in a bar having a glass of wine before dinner, in a central area, you could do a lot worse than to ask the folks behind the bar for a recommendation.
Just say: ‘¿Nos puede recomendar un sitio aquí cerca para cenar?’
I do that all the time.
http://www.tripadvisor.es/ShowUserReviews-g187484-d1872540-r151519575-Meson_Goya-Santander_Cantabria.html
Podium
If Pl had been successfull with our striker policy over last few years, I would say go on Peter. Don’t pay over the odds. But he hasn’t he has wasted millions signing projects up front who did not have a record in scoring goals and guess what. Continued on with their record of not scoring goals and millions down the drain
So yes he has to pay over the odds for a goal scorer
C_F
Thanks. How is your training for the camino coming along?
Happy Anniversary Mrs & Mrs Jobo Balde. Twenty five years and lots of silver this year.
This time last year there were not too any on here who gave us much chance of getting to the CL never mind last 16. Quietly confident that the coaching staff and scouts are doing there business well away from the DR. Anyone heard of Amido or the flying dutchman before last week. They will after we have turned them into champions and champions league players. What’s the worry? The next Henrik is a young talent looking for a chance to shine. Plenty of time to get some new Celts. We have enough to beat the Kazaks already.
Geordie Munro
10:47 on 13 August, 2013
Sydneytim
“If we want this Alfie dude then just offer 6m and get on with it”
Every day I wake up glad that people like you are not running my club.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
That is where you are wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sydney “Tim” should be running this club. We play in one of the top leagues in the UK, Scotland has a population of over 5 million and players get to visit places such as Inverness. We quite simply are failing to maximise our potential.
SYDNEY “TIM” TO REPLACE PL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“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”
As a hypothesis not exactly particle physics but helluva difficult to pull off season in, season out. By selling high(hopefully), the developed player, you then have to pull off the same trick. That maybe is the “plan’ but the reality will probably be very different.
If it was that easy etc etc….
“To do this we need to buy from the right markets,…….”
” Before Celtic agree a deal …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”.
I could put Celtic in touch with some hedge fund managers who say that they can predict projected valuations in any market conditions year in year out. They are talking baloney as well.
To be honest it sounds more like a strategy for treading water at best. But in the present domestic climate that’s really all that is required of us.
TBB
Santander (if you are staying over for a few days):
The Old Market (been reinstated) – runs parallel with the dual carriageway facing the bay (marina area). There are many small restaurants in the side-streets/ lanes. Close to the Market there is a large square where the locals gather on a Saturday night (lots of bars) – very mixed age group – very relaxed and friendly area.
If you are into seafood – there are some very good (expensive) restaurants on the beach edge of the bay (where the headland sweeps towards the Atlantic) – the casino would be your landmark.
If you really want to splash out (needed to book) – there is a ‘haute cuisine’ restaurant (was the former Belgian Consulate) – fantastic food/ wine (mega expensive).
Google: Paseo Por Cantabria – this will give you a wider idea of the area.
H!H!
Maybe we should just recall Bangura from Elfsborg.
That’ll sort it!
stevenagebhoy
10:38 on 13 August, 2013
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.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I popt into hunmedia now and again to get thems thoughts on their asylum.
Think your right…you now need to register as is folly folly. Hail Hail
Lenny wanted two players in …. Unsuccessful again … When are we going to back the manager
Philbhoy
Not one of your better suggestions
I think Finnbogasson is a smokescreen (with the smoke being created by the MSM, agents,etc.) We are just as likely to sign a worthy successor to Hooper from somewhere under the radar.
Back in again….
_____________
….PFayr
11:10 on 13 August, 2013
Lenny wanted two players in …. Unsuccessful again … When are we going to back the manager
_______
Never !
Puppets don’t get backed. imo
Craig Burley was right – CSC
So if we get this guy Alfie all is forgiven everything in the garden will be rosy? Peter Lawwell and the board will all be applauded? Or will the moaners find something else to moan about? Yup they prob. Jump back on the GB lorry, you see it’s an attention thing , CFC have always had moaners, and the one thing moaners don’t like, are people who think for themselves and do not agree with them HAIL HAIL to the board, NFL, and the CFC, onwards and upwards no matter who signs or doesn’t we the Celtic Fans will be there to cheer you on, GOD BLESS Peter Lawwell.
Ah wis jokin’ man!
@DanielOConnel18 Yep – back before the media started their shameful propaganda campaign – http://t.co/iA0AmMnc
Remember when sky reported facts and then the threats started hmmm.
tonydonnelly67
11:12 on 13 August, 2013
_____________________
Ye see – it’s like this…..
Folk don’t come on here to cause bother
It’s more a case of the bother is already
there to be caused :)
The Riddler – CSC
Remember back at the start of the season before the bullying started and you could call a spade a spade? http://t.co/eoerfn9E
Peter Lawwell scouted the strikers who failed?
What a load of nonsense, he buys whoever John Park and Neil Lennon recommend who are within budget. Miku, Lassad, Bangura, Murphy were not scouted by Peter Lawwell……….
Giesabreakcfc
Last posts from @danielodonnel18 via twitter.
sipsini
11:08 on
13 August, 2013
stevenagebhoy
10:38 on 13 August, 2013
——
You register and sign in and it’s all back to nor…..nah….I need another expression.
So why bother ?
If we don’t get a recognised striker in and we don’t get to the Champions League proper… is that wise on the part of whomsoever decides what money can be spent and what can’t?
I could understand the biscuit tin mentality if we were skint. No wonder Celtic never made known their five year plan, because it looks to me like they’re struggling to formulate a plan beyond stuffing the mattress with used tenners.
RobinBhoy
11:16 on 13 August, 2013
____________________
Who signs the cheques ?
KevJungle – “C’mon the Cellic !!!”
Who scouts the players?
tonydonnelly67
11:17 on 13 August, 2013
So why bother ?
_____________
Some fholk say – Baaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh.
Some fholk say – Bhooooooooooooooooo.