Back in 2011 a campaign was launched by Craig Whyte (subsequently adopted by others) to convince Scottish Premier League clubs that Rangers were necessary for their survival, and in the event of a liquidation event, the league should invite a phoenix club into the top flight.
The people at Celtic became aware of this and after the initial revulsion that a team, who at that stage were three-in-a-row champions, could liquidate, then phoenix with the same players and income streams, but without the debts associated with building the playing squad, they ran the numbers. They asked themselves the question, could we survive without Rangers?
The answer was straightforward, if we can’t survive without Rangers we’re as well not surviving at all. We needed a strategy which would cope with the drop in income, the lack of domestic competition, but still deliver Champions League competition. Easy, right?
Not easy but by no means impossible.
Celtic were running at an operational loss without selling players or getting into the Champions League group stage. That season (2011-12), in reaching the Europa League group stage, we made a £7m loss (mitigated by a later player sale). The subsequent drop in season ticket sales in a league without Rangers (it happened), drop in associated commercial and match-day ticket sales cost around £5m. Dropping the price of season tickets by £100 this season arrested the decline in sales, but brought in £4m less than last season.
To balance this, we qualified for the Champions League group stage last season and this, sold £20m worth of talent this summer (and have spent £6m so far on new arrivals).
We have something practically unique in football, a sustainable strategy which is also successful.
Is it without its risks? No.
Will it tax the team and manager, even against teams like Elfsborg and Shakhter? Yes.
Is it as good a strategy as we could have? That is a matter of opinion but results on the park are the only place that matters.
We’ve made lots of decisions so far this summer. Selling Hooper, Wanyama and Wilson, while bringing in van Dijk, Derk Boerrigter, Balde and Mouyokolo, before getting to this stage. Would Norwich and Southampton have waited or signed alternatives, leaving us with rapidly depreciating assets?
I’ve no idea, but these are the kind of factors which contribute to each decision.
You can play your hand cautiously, hold the players, risking buyers leave the market, or sign more players early, on the basis that they are available and you are prepared to pay the asking price, irrespective of your valuation. You can certainly give yourself an easier ride by taking decisions against strategy based on pressure.
This would not guarantee success (nothing does) but it would further mitigate the risk of failure, however, it would potentially leave fewer resources to build a team which can reach further still.
We played a more ambitious hand. Strategy was adhered to, which looked a folly, to some, a week ago.
For the first time in 40 years we have a sustainable, successful, team development strategy, which is only just beginning to bear fruit. It is too tempting to take those fruits and blow them on the same strategy most of our UK-based peers do in an attempt to guarantee entry to the promised land.
Faith in the squad, manager and scouts was rewarded. Whether you like it or not, we have one of the best development strategies in football. Well done, Celtic.
Neil Lennon is an ambitious man but if he thinks he can stem the “disgusting” “hysterical” reaction to a Celtic defeat he is overreaching. Some will learn but others will have rationalised their reaction within a second of the manager’s comments being made. ‘Tis the nature of the beast.
Well done to everyone who attended last night. The place wasn’t full but there is something about a Celtic Park crowd of around that size which seems more effective than when we’re crammed in.
Enjoy being a Celtic supporter.
[calameo code=000390171c1dd95770bec lang=en page=100 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
903 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- ...
- 24
- »
SFTB
I reckon both left because they knew they would not be able to realise their own ambitions with Celtic. Especially when their sqaud was sold from underneath their noses. MON was not prepared to accept that. WGS to a degree was and NFL I say even a degree further.
Its time that stopped. There is enough money to get a couple of players in that will give everyone assocaited with the club a wee lift.
Extremely disappointed and uncomfortable with your lack of drive to go further up the European scale.
Its the EPL holding position as Neganon calls it.
HH
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/08/29/4222497/-?
2.1m for Pukki.
KLV
Marti
Hope your original ask, is the one :-)
Loving the presenter, Nicholas & especially Redknapp gushing over Celtic.
Because the Scottish media can’t bring themselves to praise us makes it even better.
Redknapp – ‘the champions league needs Celtic’
I didn’t believe we could turn it over last night……….and I was very wrong, happily.
I’m also happy to say I managed to say it without slating anyone.
We should have gone to KS and parked the bus…….and saved ourself from the drama. NFL will learn.
KS played exactly the same and our chosen 11 played to their maximum potential….so we prevailed but this type of CL financial brinkmanship should never be played out again. There is absolutely no excuse for for selling before buying now as theres so much money sloshing around its becoming embarrassing.
Efe Ambrose was easily the MOM…he turned defence into attack and gave us impetus constantly…a very clever player.
New signing Biton on this evidence looks a real footballer ……..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pTmXYWI37M
In the end football opinions are like errs holes……everyone has one!
Still a great time to be a Tim……….and our Gods went with us last night.
Enjoy
Charlie Nicholas “Celtic have thrown down the goblet…..” :)
SKY discussing Celtic and the support. Jimmy Redknapp taking Nicholas to task. Nicholas talking nonsense. Redknapp tells him CL needs us.
Great respect for Jamie Redknapp hope he gets a warm reception at the charity game
Dave King found guilty today by the SA tax authorities. Fined £44m.
SFAs Fit and proper person test should be interesting.
Ernie
Your experience of our trip to Stamford Bridge differs greatly from mine.
rt rev david hay
15:45 on 29 August, 2013
Istanbulcelt
not particularly bothered what ‘type’ of bar it is.
taksim the place to be tho. (bring yer own riot sheild)
Sude Konak Hotel
friday-monday
a work related, ahem..”study trip”.
if yer free ill wear my original CQN badge
an meet ye in joyce’s for a snifter.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rt rev david hay
Yeah it would be good to meet a CQNer in Istanbul, and it would be nice to meet for a beer. Although i’m not available from Sunday as i’m flying back to the U.K for an Engineering course and exam. So Friday or Saturday if that’s ok.
I looked up your hotel and you’re right in the middle of the old town. All the historical sights are there. It’s a good area to be in. It’s not far to Taksim either. 6 – 8 quid in a taxi.
Nicholas is a disgrace.
Jamie Rednapp telling the world that the Champions League needs Celtic. Another on the conversion route
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
16:27 on 29 August, 2013
‘Ernie
Your experience of our trip to Stamford Bridge differs greatly from mine.’
Their superannuated casuals were out in force, or rather were stuck in the pub in force.
I don’t think many of them were at the game.
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
16:21 on
29 August, 2013
I think in MONs case it was a lot to do that we could no longer support his model. The splurge at the start of a cycle and then top up.
We’d lost £40m during the 5 years under MON, and the prices in his preferred market were starting to spiral. I suspect whatever amount he felt he needed for the next cycle was far and beyond anything we could have supported.
In a lot of ways it was best for both. The club needed to adopt a more youth based approach and I have to say time has kind of shown that MON’s methods have become outdated.
Phil.
Working from home now. Don’t really have the discipline for it.. o))
Corkcelt.
He posted a couple of times this morning. Hope to see you over before long.
The 23-year-old Finland international has travelled to Glasgow to discuss personal terms and complete a medical after the SPL champions upped their initial offer of £850,000
BET=S04£32DRAW£35Bayer LeverkusenLEV£21.5Bet365 By Hassan Haji Talib
Schalke striker Teemu Pukki is set to join Celtic in a deal worth €2.5 million (£2.1m), Goal understands.
The 23-year-old’s contract at the Bundesliga side is set to expire at the end of the season, with the SPL champions initially seeing an opening offer of €1m rejected (£850,000).
Pukki has now travelled to Glasgow to discuss personal terms and complete a medical.
Pukki’s agent told Goal: “He will be in Scotland to clarify the last details tonight. We expect the transfer to be completed afterwards.”
Celtic confirmed their passage to the Champions League group stage on Wednesday with a 3-2 aggregate win over Shakhtar Karagandy, and manager Neil Lennon is confident the lure of the competition will be key to recruiting players.
“We have agreed a fee for Pukki but haven’t agreed personal terms,” Lennon told reporters.
“I think the carrot of the Champions League might be a bigger draw for a lot of players. It puts us in an excellent position.”
Schalke 04 are expected to use the funds from Pukki’s sale to sign a replacement striker.
Bet365
S
The Champions League draw goes on longer than Coronation Street,
What pot are the Huns in?
———
The chamber pot
Joe Filippis Haircut
12:44 on
29 August, 2013
My memory isnt as good as it used to be (old age ) So can somone tell me the name of the music they play before each CL game ? H.H.
Walk On by Gerry and The Pacemakers
HH
Give us Real.
Seville67
Who’d have thought a grey soggy day in Glasgow,
Could be so glorious…
Happy Afternoon Bhoys and Ghirls
Draw’s getting closer…
Hrvatski Jim, or one of those pots that they put the Crematorium Ashes in.
Ernie Lynch
Don’t recall the ‘nice’ Chelsea support at Stamford Bridge. The clingon zombies would be out in force in Glasgow
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
14:38 on
29 August, 2013
Oscar Knox is my Hero – RWE
At one point that fool Clark Carlisle stated something along the lines of, Celtic turned up and expected their tradition and history to beat Shaktar. He also had a go at Samaras and referred to him as the Greek Tragedy
…………………
The same Clark Carlisle who is Chairman of the English PFA.
The same Clark Carlisle who is an ambassador for the Kick it Out anti-racism scheme.
The same Clark Carlisle who met with David Cameron to discuss racism and homophobia in football.
No wonder Neil Lennon was disappointed (at least) in the ITV coverage of the first leg.
Personally, I am disappointed that some on CQN praised the man’s commentary.
If he had been one of the usual suspects on Shortbread talking like that we would have been howling at the discrimination.
Carlisle would be very unlikely to disparage any of his own members so publicly or be so critical of one of the top clubs in England in a similar situation in Europe.
Clark Carlisle – Equality and fairness ambassador.
The SFA are not the only one’s who do irony.
Anyone know if match dates are finalised tonight after the draw?
HH
Sandman
16:13 on
29 August, 2013
What pot are the Huns in?
Oh, that’s right.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!
The chamber pot perhaps?
Eto’o signs for Chelsea
Ernie
I’d agree with your first point that largely they don’t attend games in great numbers. However, their presence that day, not necessarily at the ground itself, was large and certainly indicative of being ‘a thing of the past’.
Parkheadcumsalford
16:24 on
29 August, 2013
It’s really interesting that isn’t it – Nicholas has been tainted by thems and redknapp just enjoys celtic – the CL give us exposure to the untainted
Awe Naw
“Extremely disappointed and uncomfortable with your lack of drive to go further up the European scale.”
I think I have the drive just not the power in the Engine nor the money to upgrade.
I really fancied marrying the young Candice Bergen from the film “Soldier Blue”. It wasn’t lack of ambition that stopped me.
Ernie
NOT indicative.
corkcelt
That would be a huRn!
ernie lynch
16:20 on
29 August, 2013
Marti Sandino Supports Wee Oscar
16:14 on 29 August, 2013
‘Delaneys Dunky
I would also hate to draw out Chelsea. Horrible support and the Hun clingons would be out in their droves trying to recreate the “Old Firm” for themselves.’
######
My recollection of the pre season friendly we had with them is that their fans were OK and were unaware of any special relationship they are supposed to have with the huns.
Their middle aged to elderly casual element are effectively excluded from Stamford Bridge and are a thing of the past.
———————–
Agree (jeezo :-)
in last 2 years I was working in Chiswick, living in the heart of Chelski territory
never met one colleague or buddy that had any interest in the deidco mob and nothing negative to say about Celts
mass at Acton and Ealing Broadway -plenty of kids wearing Chelski kit
-there have been examples of chelski fans attacking Celts and remember one example where one chav stuck a pie/pasty in the hair/face of one of our ghirls but my sense that would happen at most clubs as there is always a nasty gang looking for bovver.
agree that won’t stop deidco fans looking to noise it up on blogs/forums and infiltrate the games
best avoided
I want another go at Arsenal- unfinished bizz there
bring it on
Link to draw
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/draws/index.html
Delaneys Dunky
16:36 on 29 August, 2013
‘Ernie Lynch
Don’t recall the ‘nice’ Chelsea support at Stamford Bridge.’
###
The reception from their fans in the ground was no more hostile than we get at most Scottish grounds.
Any attempt by the huns to latch on to Chelsea if we draw them would probably be publicly rebuffed.
I’d enjoy that.
Be great to get Dortmub for the atmosphere.
So,barring any medical problems it’s Biton and Pukki.Will that be it I wonder?
Auldheid
15:11 on
29 August, 2013
sorry – had to get back to the day job for a few hours, but i like that story (benches, ices cream, birds, noise etc) a lot.