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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Fancied a new adventure maybe Madrid
Have to wait till the last 16 now
Lennie your already a Hero if we qualify from this CL group you will take your place as one of Celtics greatest managers. H.H.
Tough as it may be, that is a real Champions League group that we are in. 4 of the biggest names in world football, instantly recognizable names with great history. Celtic were trailblazers when they won it, bringing to an end an era of defensive football dominating european cup winners. Ajax were part of the Dutch total football revolution which took Europe by storm once Feyenoord had surprised the great Celtic team of that era. Barca – legendary. AC Milan – the same.
Was looking for a group with no former winners but there aren’t any. I see United of Manchester are the only former winners in their group and the only former winners in Chelseas group are Steaua Bucharest……. I think. Groups of dearth…… as usual for United a relatively easy group. City might struggle. Arsenal? I fell asleep looking at their group. Pot 2 team my hole. I was hoping to draw them because i thought we could get home and away results against Arsene Whingers side. Never mind.
Would settle for third in our group but you just never know. Italian football is coming back quite strongly, Ajax can play a bit and Barca, well, a wealth of talent but I would argue not as strong a ‘team’ as when we have played them before.
A run away winner on the group might be good for us if we can get them after they have qualified…..
So many permutations. Just great to have this to look forward to.
Now, to get those players signed and settled in…..
Celtic v Barcelona, the new Old Firm?
if pl spends 5 million on a striker we can win it, lol!!!!
pl the devious devil, no point signing anybody else given that we’ll never progress, lol
down with pl
where’s our new bloody striker
Group H is not a Group of death; Group H is the Group of Life! 4 Teams with a tradition of playing the beautiful game in a beautiful way! :-) Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax and Celtic. Bring it on!
P.S. I may be wrong, but I thought it was great sportsmanship by Figo to also struggle with opening the balls.
Yours in Celtic,
TB&F.
Right thats the disappointment over
BRING IT ON magnificent night with the Hoops to look forward to .
A worldwide audience and new friends to make
My God it is brilliant being a celtic fan
Reports of Barca AC Milan & Ajax players leaping with joy at getting another chance to play at Paradise in front of the greatest fans in the world are still unconfirmed
@GaryLineker: Bye bye Celtic!
He is getting loads of abuse now.
6 magnificent nights
Wonkykeyboardcsc
Right, here’s the deal.
We don’t need a new striker, we can get one next year, or we’ve got a year to develop the players we’ve got.
Realistic target is Europa with a bit of luck.
The games are going to be epic, bring it on and enjoy.
And a word to the moaning haters, shut it, support your team!
Never mind the Champs league draw…John Mckackyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
has not got a blue tie on .
group Z
Auchinleck
Drumchapel Amateurs
Linlithgow
Sevco:-P
Barca might have brought in Neymar…
But we’ve still got Tony Watt!!!
Nice to think Lionel Messi will be looking
forward to returning to Celtic Park!
Paulazoid
Why don’t you take your own advice and give us all peace?
!!Bada Bing!!
18:17 on 29 August, 2013
:))))))))
Rossoneri Vice-President Adriano Galliani had told Mediaset Premium last night that “with our luck we’ll pick Barcelona, Manchester City and Celtic!” Proof that even the big clubs did not want to face us.
very strong group, but to be honest there are no mugs in champions league group.
hopefully this seasons C/L campaign helps to make and shape our team, akin to the way the E/L did two years ago.
got a feeling our summer signings will be pretty happy they signed up. can see a few players enhancing their and our reputation
BRING IT ON
HH
Dear optimist,pessimist and realist
While you guys were arguing about the glass of water. I drank it
sincere regards the opportunist :))
I was just in a beach side bar in Costa Brava watching the draw. All Catalans inside watching the telly, me keeping quiet. I can exclusively reveal that there was loud groans and slapping of heads when we were drawn with them.
Didn’t understand what was said but they seemed pretty exasperated.
Bored??? Nervous??? Dunno.
!!Bada Bing!!
18:17 on 29 August, 2013
group Z
Auchinleck
Drumchapel Amateurs
Linlithgow
Sevco:-P
——————
Stolen for FB :)))
We are really at the top table in that group. Does anyone know when we get dates?
Sally Magnusson outs herself as a hun.
shall do mate
Really, really tough draw.
Morton are a formidable side away from home :-P
am feelin good an feelin good is good enough,hail hail my celtic brothers an sisters,well done the team :-)
Just sitting down to watch THE game again….aaaaaaaa….the sheer joy of it all …!!!!!!!!!
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
13:49 on 29 August, 2013
Scullybhoy
Kickinthenakas asked p67 to email you becayse ge noticed your post re being in Glasgow and looking for simething to eat.
A few of us mwt up and went ti amore prior to going to the game.
It was an offer to join the rag tag and bobtails for a meal…
……………………………………………………………………………
Cheers. My daughter and I went to Boteco Do Brasil and it was grand. Went out to the stadium early to meet up with Toome lads. Great game with three brilliant goals. Memories to make me smile in my old age.
Late posting but our National ahem …CEO on the BA flight this morning bound for Monaco ?.
Allright for some
Read FF’s comments today: usual crap about one never knows what may happen. Obviously angling for a move. He’s no very good and again almost cost us the game the other as the araldite on the soles of his boots stuck him to his goal line. Take the cash and get a decent keeper – There are loads available, maybe even a loan deal.