The football FX business, hounding a manager, Road to Lisbon

On Tuesday we covered the financial benefit Celtic experienced after Brexit due to the fall in the value of the pound against the euro – the currency Champions League payments are denominated in. Today Manchester United revealed a different aspect to the same economic calamity.

Much of Manchester United’s debt is denominated in US dollars. As a consequence of Brexit, the pound also collapsed against the dollar; this alone added an astonishing £88m to the club’s debt figure.

I see Newco fans are busying themselves debating who should replace Warburton as their next manager. Fans do this, it’s a Pavlovian response to unfulfilled expectations. Many feel it’s a right and appropriate discourse, but watching from the outside you can see how destructive it is.

When fans emotionally move on from a manager it is difficult to back his team when it needs it most. Should Morton [Celtic development FC] have the temerity to open the scoring at Ibrox this weekend all of this managerial window-shopping will fuel exactly what the home team don’t need.

There are few things we can learn from that lot, mostly ‘what not to do’ related items like this.

The Road to Lisbon May 2017 Cycle

I am genuinely in awe of the fans who will cycle from Celtic Park to Estadio Nacional, Lisbon, in May to raise money for your Foundation, Solving Kids Cancer and Children in Crossfire. It is an incredible personal undertaking by each of them, which will bring aid and comfort to many in need.

The project is being driven by one of our own, Mouldy67 – who is a role model to us all. This is from his MyDonate page:

My name is Paul Muldoon, I am delighted to be part of a group of 28 Celts, who plan to cycle from Celtic Park to Lisbon. Each of our group will be funding the cost of the professional support company, accommodation, food and travel by themselves.

We aim to raise thousands of pounds to support three charities close to our hearts; The Celtic Foundation, Solving Kids Cancer and Children in crossfire.

The plan is to depart Celtic Park on Thursday May 11, 2017 and will include 13 cycling days, spread over 14 days. We hope to arrive in Lisbon on May 25, 2017.

This project moves a level beyond mere respect, please do what you can to support here.