By all accounts Malky MacKay is a good guy. He is certainly a good motivator and tactician, and an excellent communicator, unburdened by the airs and graces normally associated by managers in the self-appointed Greatest Show on Earth. None of this saved him from the sack, though, accused of running riot with the cheque book in the summer.
Cardiff City certainly ran riot, spending in the region of £50m to help prepare for top flight football. If, as owner Vincent Tan alleges, the spend was unauthorised, Cardiff have a management control problem, not a problem with the manager, who is within his rights to spend whatever money made available to him.
‘Bluebirds’ fans are united on Malky’s side, they are equally united against owner Tan, who appears wholly unsuitable to control a football club. Changing their strips from blue to red, as red is the colour most associated with Wales, tells you all you need to know about Tan and where he will ultimately take the club, but the extravagance of the summer has already set Cardiff off on the road to rapid decline.
Every club should anticipating making mistakes in the transfer market, it is part of the territory, but they need to be able to afford those mistakes. Cardiff’s summer signings allowed for no mistakes. The totem was Andreas Cornelius, recruited from from Copenhagen for an outrageous £10m. The player received a five year contract worth more than the transfer fee. He’s only 20. Cornelius also earns more than seven times his salary at Copenhagen, no one will be able to afford to take him from Cardiff, his 18 career goals, all in Denmark, suggest he’s simply not worth anything like money he’s on.
If you’re Cardiff City, here’s the problem when you try to recruit for top flight football: after 50 years in the wilderness, you’re favourites for the drop. Players with other top flight options will take them, you’ll have to pay over the odds to convince players to sign on. You’re also shopping in a market you have absolutely no experience of – making mistakes more likely.
Spending £10m on a striker was possibly a sensible idea for Cardiff (I can imagine how popular it was, any sane voices would have been whistling against the wind) but what striker, genuinely worth £10m, would go there without being ‘bribed’ with copious amounts of cash? I’m aware of the parallels with Celtic, which £10m striker would come to Scotland?
They could have received 50 knock-backs before doing a deal in Copenhagen. This pattern was replicated across the rest of their summer spend. They should have invested their Premier League windfall on long-term development, irrespective of the short-term consequences.
For the sake of the club’s fans I hope they survive but inadequate controls at board level, with an owner seemingly intent on self-destruction, a rapid decline through the leagues seems inevitable, sooner or later.
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Stringer bell
Perhaps my comment wasn’t clear
My ref to acquiescence was future tense
I’ll be delighted to be proved wrong
I suppose if sevco ever get into the SPFL it will help to once again make bigotry and sectarianism the main feature of a football fixture.
Maybe that will result in higher attendances.
A small price to pay to help stave off, if only for a short time, the death of the SMSM.
Just on to wish the Celtic squad all the best for today, and to let them know that I am
thinking of them, as they strive to bring Joy to some of us!
H.H.
….pfayr supports weeoscar
08:26 on 29 December, 2013
Crowds are down at CFC home games because the performances have by and large been poor
Boring games with few goals ….
Add problems of finance , travel and time of year
Crowds will go down
Quite what that has to do with Sevco , a team from the third tier of Scottish football with less than two years history , is beyond me
———————-
As far as I can tell, the “low” crowds at home games are the most recent two games, on the 14th and 21st December.
Your argument that boring games with few goals was a contributing factor is not consistent with the fact that we won the preceding two games against Scottish opposition 5-0 and 7-0.
So maybe the opposite is true. May be folks decided to,sit at home and watch the foregone conclusion that we would obliterate Hibs and Hearts.
I went to both games and was equally delighted with taking 6 points from two hard fought matches against teams with packed defences as I was with the goal fest matches.
…..oh aye, and so is Hugh Keevins…………..
Super sutton
Both of those games were away from home
I was commenting on our home performances …I assumed that would have been fairly obvious
Glad you enjoyed your experience …it is what it’s all about
Match day….roll on kick off.
we know how poor Scottish football refereeing standards are…….so Dougie’s back…quelle surprise! All part of the game. A failing group grabs for the life support they know rather than embrace change….this was a chance to bring a external expert to bring change right through from development to match day. If Peter Lawwell interferes then Celtic are seen to be influencing referees and we know where this will leave us. Either every club complains or none just don’t blame our board.
Zalten I.’d love to have seen playing for us years ago…another retiree……Wright springs to mind linked years before he actually signed…waste of resources.
TIME FOR CHANGE
To be fair,Wright was brought in as emergency cover,nothing else.
And Ian Rush wisnae available….
From hullbhoy twitter
So an ex Scottish FA referee who lost his job due to lying about his decision making is now back at SFA advising referees?
*shakes head*
….pfayr supports weeoscar
09:58 on 29 December, 2013
Stringer bell
Perhaps my comment wasn’t clear
My ref to acquiescence was future tense
I’ll be delighted to be proved wrong
——-1
Fair comment. Future tense is uncertain by nature, as the flags debacle showed. We may be acting on this now. Many celic fans just dive off the deep end though, like the pmment at the top of this page, for example.
What would you like to see as a response from Celtic? What would be the most apt means of tackling this do you think?
Other main questions from me would be,
-who appointed McDonald to the role
– who interviewed him
– who was on the short list
– is this a new position
– why is it needed,
– has it been budgeted for etc
Good time to try to sneak news out as well, btw.
Anyone know what Jim Farry is doing these days?
Tell him the SFA are just awaiting the arrival of his CV before they rubber-stamp his appointment.
…..and wee Pet Navan as well of course – guid sellick men,
‘working’ in scoddland………
So Neil Lennon has talked of changes in today’s team. James Forrest back on the right for Adam Matthews? Nir Biton starting in place of Joe Ledley if he is being sold? A chance for Amido Balde?
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers ………fc not plc
10:11 on 29 December, 2013
Anyone know what Jim Farry is doing these days?
Tell him the SFA are just awaiting the arrival of his CV before they rubber-stamp his appointment.
———
An Alan Brasil moment?
Stringer Bell
We are a member of the SFA ..therefore..I believe ,we have a right to comment
I doubt the supporters of other clubs will be happy with MacDonald’s employment
We should consult with other clubs and then tackle the SFA on the issue
MacDonald’s employment is inexcusable and entirely inappropriate
He is Fertilising roses.
stringer bell
09:55 on 29 December, 2013
Please tell me that was a wind up that post ?
No it couldn’t have been so I’ll refer you to this chaps post below that’ll answer your ?
the green man
09:49 on 29 December, 2013
The Celtic board really tugging that forelock now.
Dougie McDonald….Andrew Dallas…….Honest Mistakes eh.
We are being totally shafted, and the board have nothing to say….and of course the dwindling crowds are because it s xmas…..ho ho ho eh
Peter Lawell….you are spineless, and really you should resign.
You really are a disgrace.
More than just a club…..No, I don’t think so
Mobiles…part 2 (couldn’t get to bottom of text again)
Andrew Smiths article misses the point why would any other fan miss a liquidated team who cheated with every tool at their disposal….the people put into place to protect them are still there….it will take time to replace and cleanse methinks!
anyone know who todays referee is? Will it be the three or four foul rule (before we are given a free kick) or the record in penalties not given….
If you have already paid for a season ticket why do you not go to the game.?….several reasons holiday, illness and distances to travel at this time of year account for my neighbours at Celtic Park.
enjoy game today…
Hail Hail
….pfayr supports weeoscar
10:16 on 29 December, 2013
Don’t need to consult other clubs this is our issue he lied in a game we were involved in & tried to cover it up with the head of referees Hugh Dallas.
Hen1rik
I agree his major indiscretion involved us
But, a united front from a few clubs would remove any suggestion of a CFC witch hunt
Hen1rik
Not sure I follow, your repost didn’t answer any questions.
Anyway, duty calls for me. Enjoy the game.
DONTBRATTBAKKINANGER
MALORBHOY
Mail sent to you fine fellows as a member of this blog needs hauners to watch the match in your area!
the green man
09:49 on 29 December, 2013
…apart from that, you’re quite happy with Celtic…..?………can I ask you…..would you like to see sevco survive to reach the SPFL……? Just wondering, like…..
….pfayr supports weeoscar
10:27 on 29 December, 2013
1. He lied in a game we were involved in.
2. He cheated us.
3. He tried to get others to lie for him & Craven was the fall guy it’s not on.
4. It’s not other clubs issue it’s ours & if Celtic remain silent again then we will be cheated again mark my words.
Enough is enough now the SFA are taking the piss.
Morning All,
Its been a while.
BMCUW,
That did make me smile, !!
Ssolands Shame,
That made me Laugh out Loud,, I know, apologies To anyone offended by my sick sense!
Lilys Grampa
EdgarBlamm twitter
Important that we remember the Scottish Media’s concerted effort to spin the Dougie McDonald incident back in 2010 http://t.co/g1sx4xvQPn
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/25/assistan-referee-quits-celtic-dundee-united
Plenty of mainstream hacks (mis)reported that Steven Craven quit because of abuse from Celtic fans. Someone at the SFA fed them this lie.
Oops, should have read Scotlands shame,
The old typing finger out of practice!
Lilys
That’s why I’m paranoid!
Operation ‘Stop 10 in a row’ has now been launched. Son of Dallas has been fast tracked into the top-flight and will assist the new club whenever possible.
Then when he is fully briefed he can really affect that cocky mob from the east-end.
Dougie Dougie the ‘distressed Mason’ is back and will ensure refereeing recruits are fully aware of the dark acts available to them. Comical Ally is waxing lyrical about how his new club are the only hope to halt the Green and White steamroller that’s ruining Scottish football…Where is his sugar daddy? Is he insane or once again feathering his palatial nest?
I wasn’t paranoid enough the last time… but I’m watching Dougie Dougie…
HH
….PFayr supports WeeOscar
10:27 on
29 December, 2013
A united front from a few clubs…….no chance, last summer
is long gone,besides the hate us we’re the other side of the
coin as far as most are concerned.
Eeranacaroonbar twitter
Just to be clear – the SFA have always been shameless. Cox/Tully incident 1949 -http://t.co/0UGU0X60l0
http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/1949-08-27%3A+Rangers+2-0+Celtic,+League+Cup
The green man 9.49
Ridiculous statement .
Hen1rik
I’m not disagreeing with you
From an integrity view point ….it should be a concern for all teams
Gordon_J
I’m not a fan of wingers – the most entertaining games Celtic have played, whether this season or last, have been when our full backs have pushed up. These types of formation – 4-4-2 diamond, 3-5-2, 3-4-1-2 – have no need for players like Forrest
I’m hoping Mulgrew – our best defensive midfielder – is fit, and would go with
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Forster ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fisher :::::::: Ambrose ::::::::::::::: Van Dijk ::::: Izaguirre
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Mulgrew ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Biton :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ledley ::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Brown :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::: Commons ::::::::::::::: Stokes :::::::::::::::::::::
Don’t think this will happen, however, as Neil hasn’t used the diamond at Inverness for some reason. I’m expecting 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 with Forrest on the right and Sammi on the left, and am getting ready to harrumph on cue.
No way back Dougie Dougie from Franky Macca
http://youtu.be/OrKB33WGQvE
I think we all know which direction Dougie Dougie will , er, ‘develop’ young referees in.
Bobby Murdochs….
They will be waiting a long time as he died.
Bit inappropriate
UOG
Have ICT changed at all under Yogi ?
Well, here’s an interesting article. Football hooliganism started amongst female fans with “a violent clash in 1898 between the supporters of Morton (who are now known as Greenock Morton) and the now defunct Port Glasgow Athletic”. I’m sure at least some of those lovely ladies were of the heavy breested variety.
Female fans were ‘original football hooligans’