Thank you, Celtic, growing the family
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“*!*! you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
“Thank you, Celtic.”
That’s the response from Scottish Premiership clubs on notification they will each receive £365k solidarity payment from Uefa for Celtic reaching the Champions League group stage. At the bottom end of the league, that will pay the wages of six members of the squad for a year. To one and all: You’re welcome.
Further up the table, it could make the difference between being underwater and not needing to seek borrowing. Be in no doubt, this is a great day to go to work at all top flight Scottish clubs. Directors across the country, who keep their clubs afloat with personal loans, would have been on their feet cheering as Scott Sinclair’s opener hit the net – all of them.
I loved the interactive billboard campaign which launched within minutes of full time: “This is how it feels to be in the Champions League”. As a club, we are hitting all the bases right now; opening avenues for the whole of Glasgow, and Scotland, to enjoy and participate in our success. This is how it feels to grow the Celtic family.
As for the weak-minded among you: there was never any danger last night. Without profligacy in front of goal, we would have been ahead at the break. Scott Brown learned that two mistakes in quick succession is likely to lead to a goal, while Mikael Lustig satisfied his long-held curiosity as to what would happen if he was the last defender, and instead of closing down an opponent rushing towards goal, he backed off. It would have been a great learning experience for some of the young players involved.
Rijeka couldn’t lay a glove on Olympiakos last night, while Sevilla only just clung onto their advantage over Istanbul Basaksehir, who were a goal away from qualifying for the group stage, and elevating Celtic to pot 3. Our hopes now lie with Hoffenheim overturning a 1-2 deficit at Liverpool. Pot 4 beckons. Still, I’m not complaining.
Hospitality for four on Saturday: meals, bar, Directors’ Box tickets, the lot!!
Celtic sponsor, Intelligent Car Leasing, have offered four full hospitality tickets for Saturday’s game against St Johnstone. You and three friends could benefit from a stunning pre-match meal in the Walfrid, halftime refreshments, as well as a complimentary bar before and after the game.
You will also watch the game from the Directors’ Box. In collaboration with this raffle, we are raising money for Mary’s Meals. Over 3,000 children in Malawi and Liberia eat each school day in a kitchen supported by Celtic Quick News readers. You can donate a minimum of £5 here.
To win, email your MyDonate confirmation to me, celticquicknews@gmail.com with the answer to this question IN THE SUBJECT LINE:
How many Champions League qualifying games have Celtic played in the Astana Arena before last night?*
Other emails with the correct answer will also be considered. Competition closes at 14:00 Thursday afternoon. You need to be able to collect your tickets in Glasgow on Friday. Please ensure you leave reliable contact information on your email. Good luck!
*Failure rate on this question is higher than with any previous competition. If you know your history… ooft! It was only four years ago.
NEW CQN PODCAST – PAUL DYKES PRESENTS WITH FORMER CELTIC CAPTAIN ANDY LYNCH AND SPECIAL GUEST PAT STANTON