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.
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JFH
Faith of Our Fathers!!!
celticbhoy
12:23 on 29 August, 2013
HT
After the amount of jumping around l did at the goal and full time my son was calling me Dances with Crutches.
—–
At the third goal my mates glasses were knocked flying and I lost a bit of a tooth!!!
All worth it though :-)
Twists n turns
I was talking about Lenny’s recent comments about transfer policy.
Listening to bbc scotland on the way home.
During the press conference, When Neil mentioned that we didnt get enough support, how i dont know, but bbc scotland turned that into Neil Lennon speaking out aginst the board not backing him with money.
Although the reporter reminded us that he had just before the game asked our manager about support from the board and our CEO, to which he was told he was very happy, the reporter announced that Neil must have changed his mind and is using the press conference to get more signings in!
We heard what he said bbc scotland, it’s not 1984!
you the scottish media are the problem, you dont give us the support we need outwith scotland.
Switched to talksport, some english host talking about if he only does one thing in 2013, he must attend CP on a CL night, as hes fed up of hearing and seeing the great european nights via tv and radio.
What a difference.
Paul67
Should have said “rein in” not “reign in” unless you are Royalty :-)
Finding some of this point scoring disgusting if I’m honest.
I personally find the whole happy-clapper/mine-shafter thing a bit childish and one-dimensional – surely people should have more balance than that? You can be happy about certain things and be frustrated and upset about others.
In saying that, having the polar views on issues can be important and adds a lot to the blog – point scoring like spoiled children does not.
There has to be an acceptance from the mine-shafters that we are a very well run club (there might, and I think have been mistakes made, but in general we’re very well run). Likewise, the happy clappers need to realise the mine-shafters just want what they see is best for the club and for us to STRIVE.
Blindly following along is good for nobody, that’s what the zombies did. There’s a difference between faithful through and through and blind loyalty and obedience.
Stop bickering like kids and realise that without both sides this blog would be boring, nobody wants to discuss football where everyone agrees, how boring would that be?
HH
For every 5 mins fun we have in the UCL,
SEVCO N the SMSM,Minty will suffer 10 mins torment..
Karma.
scottishleaf
I’ll need to watch it again but don’t know if I could to be honest.
James Forrest has great ability but he has been disrupted badly with injury. I want the boy to progress but he is too greedy at times and we go back to the all important end product if you’re a winger – that is found wanting a lot with him.
I know he’s young and I know he can be a great player on his day but he needs to really mix it with the big boys now.
Paul67 – I agree with the strategy being employed by the club, however I would have liked to have thought the money we have had coming in, coupled with knowing about another year’s CL money, would allow the scouting team to “moneyball” a player in the £3m – £4m bracket, rather than the sub £2m where we have been trying lately?
On another note, anyone but Benfica for me. Would seem a waste having to go to Portugal twice in the same CL campaign since we are due there in May.
Joe Filippi
It’s based on Zadok the Priest by Handel.
setting free the bears
12:43 on 29 August, 2013
You forgot to finish with “we better win on Saturday”
A Stor Mo Chroi
12:39 on
29 August, 2013
In a word wages. Let’s take Inverness Cally as a quick example. STV reported in December that their wage bill was 57% of turnover. Their turnover was £3.5M. Their wage bill is less than £2M. That’s probably less than the combined wages of our two highest paid players.
CL draw live on Eurosport 2 at 16:45 UK time.
T4
TB&F, because our current strategy was adopted in response to those events.
A Stor Mo Chroi, many other SPL clubs also struggle to break even, most don’t. All spend a fraction of what we spend on absolutely everything.
LiviBhoy, yes, Kris’ goal was a bit like bit Tam’s too.
SFTB, aye, I suppose.
TTTT, poor! One man’s poor is another man’s success.
RogueLeader, it probably would have.
Good read, Paul.
It’s interesting you mention the Europa League run in 2011. The decision to overturn the Sion result has had a huge bearing on where we are today.
Our team came on leaps and bounds in that competition and we also improved on our poor away form.
I remember at the time the pundits (I know, I know) were pouring scorn on our team and the competition. They were even trying to tell us that being in the Europa League was a bad thing as it would impact on our league form! How wrong could they be.
Those games were a terrific learing experience for our young manager and young team and I think gave us the confidence to make the Champion’s League the next year.
Well done to everyone at Celtic today.
Paul 67 et al,
Thank you for a timely and extremely well thought our article.
This should be read and digested by all at CQN and will possibly help outline and apprechiate the various situations that Celtic ( All sections to some ) have had to and still have to navigate.
Even now there are no definitive answers to the scenarios that you have posed, but one thing is undisputable; we are all enjoying being Celtic supporters today.
HH, Always in Celtic.
Well done to RogueLeader, the first to mention the only thing that matters after last night… that this season’s CL Final is in Lisbon.
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/final/index.html
Andy Walker detests Lenny,he would be delighted if he left.Bitter little man.
Falkirkbhoy says Never Give Up Oscar
12:48 on
29 August, 2013
Listening to bbc scotland on the way home.
__
Dick Gordon did the old “what, me?” didn’t he as they proceeded to discuss anything but the media.
Reminds me of the guy (from Aberdeen if I remember) who called them up before/after a Bertie Voght’s Scotland match and pointed out their remarks were verging on racism – Cut off and subject changed.
Apologies apprechiate should read appreciate.
A Stor Mo Chroi
12:39 on
29 August, 2013
Correction ICT was just over £2M in wages. Here’s the rest
m1888
Hes no that bad btw. I recall the cup game at deed club v D Utd and D U went 3 ahead Wee Liam came out with “thats the cat amung the pigeons now”. And a wee bit respect for his bird wd be nice. Tears are blinding me here!! BRILL!!!!
I thought we would win last night
I didn’t think we would keep a clean sheet
I thought we would go out
I was shouting for Forrest to be subbed after about 10 minutes
I was concerned that Efe was the last man in defence
It’s good to be wrong…
M1888
Did you read my post or revert to type and jump in without evidence. .
Valebhoy
From earlier I dont know who on the BBC was moaning the fact Shaktar hadn’t
attacked til 2-0 down.
I suggested Hannah(didnt know there was more than one) but recognised voice
and presumed from SSB.
Whoever he was he was sounded scunnered.
Maybe he was just wanting an open game : > )
Snake Plissken
I know where you are coming from and agree with most of your of what you say but just felt you were a bit harsh on his performance last night as he played better than you described/remember.
I’m hopeful if he gets over his injury issues he can become the player he has the potential to be.
Fantastic result in getting through to the CL once again. The players who let themselves down last week more than redeemed themselves, they stood tall when the questions were asked.
When home after the game and as I do, watched the game again and have to say, for James Forrest to climb off the turf 5 minutes after that shocking assault on his ankle and to bravely score the winner says everything about his desire in my book. The wee man was taking pelters from some around me, but did he look to be subbed, did he heck, time for him to be left alone to find his form again. Never seen a player get better by shouting abuse at him, let alone a kid.
Ambrose was fantastic and some of Charlie’s passing down the line was sublime. Adam just gets better and better, he is our next big thing, so get him tied down for another 5 years so when the big teams come calling we get top dollar.
Roll on 4pm and bring us Madrid or Chelsea, played all the others in pot 1 recently, so would fancy either of them.
A Stor
“How does such a statement reflect on the players we have already signed?”
It reflects in the same way as it reflects in all previous year’s signings.
We will get some of our signings in early in the window because:-
They are willing to come
We are paying enough
There are not too many alternative suitors
We satisfied the demands of the selling club, the player and the agent.
Now we could get all our players early on if
We choose from a restricted pool who are not waiting on other clubs to bid or who are not insisting on going to a CL qualified team.
or
We pay over the odds to club, player and agent because we are desperate. This is a policy you cannot go on repeating. You cannot trade successfully (which is a pre-requisite base for successfully competing on the field) if you always sell cheaply and buy dearly. For example, we might have made a deal with Norwich and Southhampton to delay the move of Hooper and Wanayama but, in return, we would have ad to knock a million or two off their price. Cheap at the price, if the gamble pays off, but ruinous if you continualy lose value in sales as Celtic fans will always want to hold on to talented players for as long as possible.
weeminger:
Perchance, do you know what Celtic’s percentage turnover to wage bill is?
Celtic need to take on, clear up and clear out the SFA , SPFL, Referee assocation and establish the integrity of all domestic comps.
I still would like to see more ambition in Europe with regards player recruitment. I think Lenny concurs.
Pulled a sickie today !!!! Enjoyed myself too much last night.
HH
A Stor Mo Chroi
12:59 on
29 August, 2013
See the link above.
setting free the bears:
Mate that is total hypothesis.
BT
Was the OHG wanting to sort him out ?
If he gets round to it .. Tell him ill help out gratis … It would be well worth it
A Stor Mo Chroi
12:59 on
29 August, 2013
Although those figures are for 2010/11 (I assume the most recent available at the time). You get the gist though.
fanandpatriot- Eurochamps and I spotted Andy Walker in the press area last night but he was not working- no laptop, headphones, notepad etc.
Obviously only in there on a freebie, how did he get it?
Listening to Talksport whilst in the car this morning. Colin Murray says last night at Celtic Park reminds you why you love football. Forget money, forget individuals, even forget who is playing, just immerse yourself in an event like last night which had everything.
Paul67
FANTASTIC article…….NAIL / HEAD…….onwards and upwards….!!!!!!!!
The Honest Cover-up
12:54 on
29 August, 2013
Couldn’t agree more. The experience gained by the players and management during the EL games led to last season’s CL success and this season’s CL qualification.
An infrequent poster.
I just wanted to join in the blogging celebrations of a great night with a great result. Celtic are where they deserve to be and whatever results (and I’m optimistic) come from the group stage, it’s going to be fascinating.