Trading well is everything. Two years ago we watched a World Cup game between our then right back, playing for Croatia, and the right back we were interested in, who played for Canada. Josip Juranovic went to the semifinal with Croatia, while Alistair Johnston’s Canada went home without a point.
Celtic’s recruitment system told them to trade Josip and buy Johnston. Alistair was the gold nugget lost in the MLS. This and trades like it, gave Celtic a football identity which brought the latest wave of trophies. It is Tier 1 operating mechanism, learned from City Football Group, and aligned to what Hearts have now signed up with.
I am delighted Alistair has signed a new deal that could keep him at the club until 2029. He has the ability and fitness to be a stand out for us in the Champions League for all that time.
Still, ‘Trading well is everything’. You and I have learned so much since we watched the wheels come off Martin O’Neill’s great team, as it expired through age. My suspicion is that we will do less trading like the Juranovic-Johnston deals going forward and more deals like Adam Idah and Arne Engels.
The deal is a good boost ahead of the trip to Tynecastle, not to mention this morning’s AGM.
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Boondock @ 2:27
I often enjoy your posts Sean, you have a turn of phrase that I relate to.
Worth posting your concluding paragraph again for any that didn’t scroll back – nailed it!
“What a club, what a support, what an honor to be a part of something so special that a simple 4 minute Christmas video can make you feel so vulnerable, but elated at the same time. Thank you Celtic.”
Yes.
ST STIVS
No I can’t. I was in company with a former Celtic director a few years ago who answered a question about DD not always getting it his own way but no specifics were given.
Celtic plc wont built car parks for match day attendance, 25 days usage a season, it just wont happen.
Council reluctance to allow off street parking on the main roads around celtic park is bloody ridiculous, as is the police closings roads after the match,
the cycle lanes, i have seen the “loan2 bikes getting used on them but not very often, and on match day i saw a cyclist once.
paying tax on profits, it is better than the alernative, paying no tax because you made a loss.
in principle though, i would like the money spent on infrastructure.
repeated it often, the crystal palace development should be used as our model.
niece did the sleepover other day, she said the interior of the front stand was ancient, the same as it was when she played there 30 years ago.
i am convinced, the survey is going to be used as a justification for more hospitality created, that is where the money is.
as to reducing prices for the one off supporter or new families to actually attend, no chance, they dont care enough, they leave that headache to the kano foundation.
ramble over.
oh and, barrowfield development did not get consent for a stand running alonside the pitches, so i doubt the womens or your “big” games will get played there.
Tom McLaughlin on 22nd November 2024 4:19 pm
ta.
listening to the celtic exchange with David Low, he mentioned that Fergus built a strong board, not of yes men but of top level expertise who would question many things, and persuaded him on a few occasions, in particular, riley, keane and quinn.
he doesnt believe that is the case now with Dermot ,
Thanks TexasTim,
Don’t know what life would have been like without our Club.
Only been to Texas once and that was on the second half of our honeymoon 23 years ago when my wife had to go to a conference in Seguin Texas. I went to the Alamo by meself:))))
That John Wayne was full of shit:))))))
Sean
Boondock – Texas is usually stinking hot, just like Alabama – head north if you want a change of scene.
I’ve spent some time in Mobile and Montgomery on business but not for a couple of years now.
13 years in TX but will certainly move for better weather once the last of our tribe get out of high school. (Subject to management approvals)…
Man City can afford to employ the best. They employed Mark Lawwell; so, I presume he fitted the bill. That makes me wonder why some Celtic supporters have nothing but criticism of him. Is it because of his father? Most of those connected to Celtic like our managers, Ange and Brendan, seem to appreciate what he brought to the Club and rate him highly.
That awkward moment when somebody suggests constructing a moving escalator on the road to Paradise….
Is it just me, or can I hear Stairway To Heaven in the background?
TexasTim,
We were there when Texas was experiencing some terrible floods. We were in San Francisco for a week and then a conference at Texas Lutheran University. Loved San Antonio. Yes, Alabama is stinking hot at times. I am 80 miles outside of Montgomery in Bham. Love Alabama, not the politics though. I have 2 in college, one about to be and a 10th grade Bhoy, so no retirement anytime soon.
If you are ever in Bama, or near BHam let me know. Would love to show you some Celtic Southern Hospitality.
Sean
Tom McLaughlin on 22nd November 2024 3:58 pm
AN TEARMANN
Dermot has been outvoted at board level on more than one occasion though not very often, mainly because the board are generally unanimous on most votes.
In common with all board members, Dermot has one vote. Don’t believe the hype that what he says goes every time.
Yes, he can be very persuasive, but board members are not weak-willed yes men.
=========================
Tom,
I do not recall the board voting against him in recent agms.It would show on the votes cast at agm,and would be without his 34/35% shareholding approval ie instead of 98/99% approval it would be circa 64/65% approval.
We run an efficient ship and the 64/65% would indicate to markets uncertainty and not full confidence in the decision.
I am not believing any hype Tom just a material heads up that DDs yes or no is done with his shareholding% in mind.i am happy with him.
and you are the one writing about board members being weak willed not me.:-)
HH
Boondock – will let you know and thanks for the invite.
Same to you ref Houston.
I have 3 in college and 2 in high school, so yes, working until I’m found out!
there more from the rags –
————–
Did he make his Mark?
The only real contentious moment came when Celtic blogger Joe McHugh asked when the club decided to sack Mark Lawwell, son of chairman Peter, from his recruitment role. The Parkhead chairman opted not to answer it and warned those in the room: “Joe McHugh runs a blog and has an unhealthy obsession with me and my son.”
Chief executive Michael Nicholson added: “This isn’t a meeting to discuss personal attacks. When Mark decided to pursue other opportunities, we were sad to see him go.”
It was a three-pronged attack on Joe from the top table as Brendan Rodgers interrupted: “Mark did a fantastic job at Celtic. Every player won’t succeed. Mark’s influence in bringing in Ange (Postecoglou) was huge. If that was his only contribution, he did a fantastic job. But he influenced bringing in other players like Alistair Johnston. My experience working with him was second to none. He’s a massive Celtic supporter who wants nothing but the best for Celtic. Sometimes you bring in a player that might not work out. But what I do know is his intention was for the very best for Celtic and for that I will defend him.”
AN TEARMANN
I wasn’t talking about board members being weak-willed. I said they were not weak-willed.
just checking the fixtures, and with the police giving do not travel north of central belt for tomorrow some games must be at risk.
interestingly, aberdeen are in paisley, a bogey fixture for them, win or draw to go top of the league and we dont play till 19:45 in edinburgh (also might be at risk). they win this and i will start to think hard about them more definately as going to finish 2nd.
then i noticed, hibs v aberdeen on wednesday, again win and go top of the league, and it is a while before we get back to even games played i think.
only the weather to contend with now.
childish me still finds it funny when judith says a yellow snow warning is in place.
btw, celtic b are playing albion rovers tonight, it is going to be a wild one anawe.
In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session, topics included ticket prices, stadium redevelopment, fan use of pyrotechnics and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Finance officer Chris McKay insisted he would consider calls to lower ticket prices, given the club’s healthy bank balance, but mentioned current economic difficulties and stressed Celtic’s cash reserves provide a welcome cushion.
“It gives us flexibility throughout various transfer windows to invest when we need to invest,” he said.
“The cash won’t last forever but if we are in the Europa League for a period of time we can run the business in normal circumstances without having to sell marquee players, and it allows us to invest in the squad.”
—————
answered like a politician, what actual economic difficulties do celtic face ?
the supporters aye, not all have cash to spend,
and bet your bottom dollar,we will sell regardless of what european competition we are in, if a player wants to leave we will cash in.
very disingenuous here.
kuhns leage stats
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/800/cpsprodpb/e50c/live/b86d05e0-a64d-11ef-a4fe-a3e9a6c5d640.png.webp
SS- Possibly why Brian Wilson still on the Board….
Celtic Mac on 22nd November 2024 4:39 pm
That awkward moment when somebody suggests constructing a moving escalator on the road to Paradise….
Is it just me, or can I hear Stairway To Heaven in the background?
==================
the polis would need a heavy investment in scooters to kettle the fans
SS- that and 1500 quid a week…
Tom
No one implied either,your own words trap you.
DD has not been voted against in last 10 or 15 years,you can’t show otherwise.
I don’t doubt he has been voted against in day to day meetings tho even then I doubt.
I will ask next time I speak to my friends.
HH
login
Conor macgreggor found guilty of rape in civil case
https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/1122/1482355-conor-mcgregor-nikita-hand-court/
HH
Gary Hooper is the new Rory Bremner
Always prepare for the unexpected.
Covid.?
Cash government loans?
Economy crash ?
Lettuce ?
European conflict ?
Lawsuits?
Security issues ?
More Lockdown?
Be prepared.
A wise scout is a Celtic scout.
huns couldn’t prepare cheese on toast…
How about toasted cheese
Be a struggle
the baldy belgian beale will be toast if he gets beat tomorrow
“Saint Stivs on 22nd November 2024 5:05 pm
childish me still finds it funny when judith says a yellow snow warning is in place.”
I hadn`t really noticed that but I will now and I, too, will find it funny.
:-))))
When the stands were proposed for Barrowfield,at the time permission was denied,citing”Access problems”.
No idea what the problem was,and was surprised no one asked today when Barrowfield was being discussed.
Joe Mc Hugh made an arse of himself today.Embarrassing.As tactful as a kick in the nuts.
Saint Stivs on 22nd November 2024 4:24 pm
I expect you are correct, our board are very risk averse and appear they do the minimum amount to get by. I have no problem with more corporate seating if it’s gonna make the club more money. At least it would show some initiative and would mean an effort to grow. Whilst they are at it, I hope they try to add another sport bar for ordinary supporters too.
I also don’t mind that we are holding onto a lot of money, I am sure it makes things easier but there comes a point when keeping that money causes problems of perception
Turkeybhoy on 22nd November 2024 7:42 pm
Celtic never applied for for a grand stand, it was suggested in another phase.
A complainted from one of the guys who uses the allotment at back of training centre wanted current single road access with no path to be increased to a two lane road down the lane where player etc will access the centre. A newly surfaced road with passing bays and footpath has been agreed.
No need for a grandstand to be any bigger than 1500 seats.
HH
the tree line to the right is the access road.
the stand is not going ahead
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d7a6696c113fa5724da9040/3db544bf-5529-4d03-8309-560e83967885/Barrowfield_Aerial_Updated_27thJan2022.jpg?format=2500w