Signing players is easy, just ask anyone who has never done it. The selling club invariably wants to wait until the last moment, when they are sure no one else will bid up the price. The player occasionally wants to wait and see if you have Champions League football that season. This deal might be the only income the agent will get that year, so he needs to make the most of it.
Then you have the really complicated ones. Players have pitched up at Celtic Park from a far-flung part of Europe, terrified to sign because some shady character thinks he owns a part of him and has not been paid off.
There has been a time recently when everything was agreed, then the selling club told the player he would not receive his final salary. The player, not unreasonably, said, “This is not right, on a point of principle, they need to pay or we try again in January.”
You want to sign all your top targets, but to do that, you need to pay the top price the club, player and agent can imagine you will pay, even then, it’s not always going to happen.
It is only right to pay the top price you can afford on exceptional occasions. Your strategy should involve being prepared to fail in a negotiation, because to succeed at the prevailing price does not fit your overall budget.
In Scotland, we are still conditioned to some extent, by the bombast of David Murray. Old Zsa Zsa rattled his jewellery and boasted that he never allowed price to stop him buying a player he really wanted. I hear the echoes today, “Just pay the money!”
Murray made it sound like a virtue. It wasn’t. It was one of several vices that led to liquidation.
You have to lose some. Players will not come and some existing players, who are out of contract, will leave. Both will be painful, fans will accuse you of motives which have no internal consistency, but if you get a reputation for not letting players walk away due to money, you are dead in the water.
You need a bucket full of tactics, not cash, to sign players. Experience helps too, and not the good type, you will mostly learn from bad experiences. There will be times you phone the player’s grandfather, who is on your side, but you will still not be able to convince the player Celtic Park is the right move.
Then you will publicly turn your face to stone. “This is our line and not an inch more”, was the subtext of a recent Celtic Tweet. “Curious”, I thought, “What’s the chances this will work?”
The football business is mad, there is no other word for it. It is full of dafties, alpha males who are still trying to impress their decades-dead fathers, the occasional warlord and some fine young athletes. Try to understand it through the prism of normal life and you will misinterpret everything.
Oh, and if at least 50% of your transfers are not justifiably described as a “saga” you’re not working hard enough. Transfers, like sausages, are not meant to look good when they are being made.
Let’s hope David Turnbull passes his medical…..
I’m off to the CQN Charity Golf Day in Aberdour this afternoon, not to play golf, of course, but to hear Danny McGrain and Willie McStay.
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SYDNEY TIM
I can understand that he is not your cup of tea but i look at it
another way , there’s two or three doubling up on him, now thats
tough on any player apart from wee Jinky but some even doubted
him.
But i’m quite sure you never.
H.H Mick
Mullet and co 100% agree
But for that to work we have to change our policy. Peter lawell is a one trick pony and our club is hindered with him at the helm
MULLET AND COMPANY 2
Again, it comes down to the same old sphell question
do they want to come?
H.H Mick
Phil’s piece on how sevco always win the close season comes to mind
MM jF up against mostly one player at cup final. A 16 year old. Not good enough
JF is usually up against one full back in Europe struggles. Not good enough
I don’t know why i said ” there’s two or three doubling up on him ”
How can three double up on him? should it be treble up on him?
If it was six of them would it be a treble treble up on him?
And what if it was nine of them? would that be a treble treble treble
up on him.
themathsdon’twork.com
Again ! think i need a drink.lol.
H.H Mick
SYDNEYTIM
Talking about that 16 teen year old, worth a project punt?
Yes or no?
H.H Mick
MM. a few years ago. Yes
But not now. Only 1st 11 players should be brought it
Think Celtic Just released him over 12 months ago any way
” Celtic just released him over 12 months ago ”
Don’t think thats a good judgement.
Think Andy Robertson maybe brings things into perspective.
H.H Mick
Hey Paul……………………….
Can you have a look for my golf ball…….
I lost it on the 13th, at the CQN golf shindig, 9 years ago
BigJoestillGuttedAbooootloosingThatbaw
I think McKenna would be a good signing……………….
So evidently did Bren and so does Neil……………..
But what do they know………..
Bigjoesayssignthebhoy
John James.
Only In Scotland
In a 24 page white paper published by the Economic Crime and Financial Investigation Unit they list the following offices viz Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Gartcosh and Inverness. At first glance there seems to be an omission. Why is the operational unit in Glasgow not listed? The following is their explanation:
Information has been removed due to its content being exempt in terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Section 30 Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs.
Note the key clause viz : Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs.
One might conclude that Police Scotland have something to hide. Something germane to a current investigation of their effective conduct. The omitted office is at the following address:
Procurator Fiscal’s Office
10 Ballater Street
Glasgow
G5 9PS
The Economic Crime and Financial Investigation Unit and COPFS Glasgow operate from the same building. Two individuals who were not in any way qualified to conduct investigations into fraud, the then Detective Sergeant and now somewhat improbably Detective Chief Inspector, Jim Robertson and his assistant Detective Constable (now Detective Sergeant) Jackie O’Neil, took advantage of this proximity to pursue an investigation that is conservatively estimated to have cost the public purse to date north of £2m.
Mr. Robertson does not want your humble correspondent to air his dirty laundry in public. A tip-off from a former officer who retired as he could not take the pressure of being stationed at a Sheriff Court – he wanted to attack the accused just as he did with arrested suspects behind the DHSS offices under cover of the night – led Mr.Robertson’s boot boys to my parents’ door. His attempt to silence your humble correspondent was as effective as his wild goose chase. A wild goose chase that resulted in numerous indictments and not one conviction.
The several million and change does not include the £500,000 and costs that Police Scotland had to pay to a London firm of solicitors for what a High Court judge described as ‘an abuse of state power’. On the strength of Robertson’s warrant, approved by a compliant Glasgow Sheriff, City of London Police officers wearing uniforms that were the normal preserve of the riot control unit, burst into a client meeting in the boardroom, brandishing tasers.
Robertson was fishing for information to convict Craig Whyte. He was convinced that Whyte conspired with others to destroy Rangers. What gave him this idea? Step forward and take a bow Charlotte Fakeovers (@charlottefakes), CF2, CF3, CF4, Charlie’s Chuckles and the Orange Count. Step forward and take a bow Bill Stevenson, Dave King, Paul Murray, Chris Graham and Malcolm Murray.
In May of 2013, Bill Stevenson who had hacked Craig Whyte’s hard disk, posted comments on the Scottish Football Monitor (SFM) that were soon deemed to be too hot to handle by the moderators of same. The detail of the machinations behind the scenes included the shareholders behind Sevco 5088. A company which continues to haunt the new club like a spectre at their equity heist feast.
Charles Green owned one share. Korissa 5 million. Willow also had 5 million which they transferred to Craig Whyte’s British Virgin Islands registered, Liberty Capital. Korissa was registered in Panama. It was one of the corporate parents of The Netherlands registered Belbios. The other corporate parent of Belbios was Tixway, which was owned by Whyte.
Had the CVA not failed, this structure would have been used to dupe everyone. Whyte via his proxy companies would have received the lion’s share of RIFC plc.
Charles Green had raised the capital. All was set fair for Rangers to exit administration, a prospect which stuck in Dave King’s craw. King wanted their enterprise to fail and duly voted against the CVA.
When Green took control via Sevco Scotland, much to Whyte and King’s chagrin, the latter did everything in his power to cut his legs off.
Stevenson’s treasure trove of documents and recordings was the ideal stick to beat Mr. Green with. King wired £25,000 to Paul Murray who was trusted to engage in the due diligence. Chris Graham, at King’s behest, posted the ‘incriminating’ information on Twitter and Soundcloud. The objective was to tie Green to Whyte and damn him by osmosis. Whyte by this time had been tried and convicted at William Nimmo Smith’s Kangaroo Court. The SFA barred Whyte sine die from ever having an interest, controlling or otherwise, in the Scottish football clubs which they govern.
King and Graham were so successful in their objective that questions apropos Charles Green’s fit and proper status were being asked of Stewart Regan. Mr. Green hired Pinsent Mason to give him a clean bill of corporate health and head Regan off at the pass
However this did not convince Robertson. Those targeted by King/Graham included:
Craig Whyte, David Murray, Paul Clark, Neil Doncaster, David Grier, James Traynor, Charles Green, Aiden Earley, Imran Ahmad and Jack Irvine.
Robertson chose five from this list and added David Whitehouse and Gary Withey for good measure.
Readers of our site have been apprised of these incontrovertible facts, but they have not as yet been informed of the role that Malcolm Murray played. Murray was King’s deep throat at the boardroom table. He leaked minutes to King as he had become frustrated by being outvoted. When a video showing him to be in an inordinately tired and emotional state was leaked to the media, he hit back by continuing to betray Green.
The material leaked by King/Graham included correspondence which proved that David Grier was aware of Whyte using season tickets as a lien to Octopus/Ticketus in April 2011, prior to the deal with Murray being concluded. King/Graham also leaked correspondence between Whyte and Paul Clark of 6th April apropos the three years deal to pay off the Rangers debt.
King/Graham asserted: “D&P have absolutely no room for claiming to have been unaware of the amounts involved until August 2011.”
King/Graham also leaked an email of 9th May to Green, in which joint-administrator Paul Clark asks “Are you the chosen one?”
Sergeant Robertson, who had minimal supervision at the time, was so convinced of a conspiracy that he was given the latitude to travel the globe to visit Johnston and King. King probably could not believe his luck. Robertson was set on a course to take down King’s nemeses and in doing so cast him as the saviour of the new club
Robertson arrested six of the even on his target list. He chose a Friday where possible to arrest and interview his suspects, ensuring that the interviews continued until after the courts were closed for the weekend. David Whitehouse was locked up for the entire weekend.
In June 2017, Scotland’s most senior judge Lord Carloway stated that the Crown had “formed an erroneous view of the law”. He further stated that prosecutors had seized “legally privileged” material from the men’s lawyers. Lord Carloway ruled that the police shouldn’t have seized the material as it breached the law.
He continued : “It is a factor in favour of the Crown that they were not acting in bad faith but only upon first a misconception of the law and secondly latterly pure carelessness. Nevertheless, the level of illegality is such that it can neither be condoned or countenanced notwithstanding the relatively serious nature of the charge.”
COPFS had had the audacity to appeal the acquittal of Whyte and resting of the Withey and Grier indictments.
David Whitehouse received £80,000 and costs estimated to be circa £100,000 in an out of court settlement with COPFS. They unlawfully froze his assets. He continues to pursue the Lord Advocate’s office. A decision on the office-bearer’s (formerly Mulholland now Wolfe) immunity will be decided in September.
Meanwhile David Grier is pursuing £2m from Police Scotland at The Court of Session after some preliminary proceedings at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
The other five on Robertson’s target list have raised causes prior to the six years’ time bar. King played Robertson for the fool that he is. King is the root cause of millions being squandered in pursuit of a conspiracy of his creation.
The DUP will probably arrange an honour for King. Only in Scotland.
And another thing………………..
Big Peter Lawell has a working budget……………..
His bosses set that budget, and he won’t be allowed to exceed it……
Bigjoejustsayinglike
BIG JOE
Don’t know what to think about Mc kenna but i’m on record when seeing big
Paul Elliot on his first game, a preseason friendly in Germany and saying.
” That big ghuy looks like Bambi on ice ‘ thats the frozen stuff lol.
But to me any big lump who can handle himself in the tossing the caber
league and gives moreloss a dig will do for me.
H.H Mick
has anyone actually watched Mr McKenna play , is as slow as a week in the jail , can’t jump and has zero positional sense, why would we be linked to this player , then again.
There you go then RON67 has nailed it, just like i nailed big Paul
one of the best centre haufs i’ve ever seen.
What do i know 8-))
H.H Mick
MELBOURNE MICK………….
Agree 100%, but if we do sign him he will need to be twice the player VVD was, or he will get pelters from the enough is never enough brigade
BigJoeprepairingforIncoming
BIG JOE
Big VVD became that player when he had the confidence of the
Celtic support behind him, not often afforded to a lot of fine players
over the years aka Charlie Gallaher, big Tid, et al.
Maybe we should lighten up a bit.
H.H Mick
Big joe. There is only one boss at Celtic Park
Peter Lawwell
He has a remit from DD. Zero debt
How he gets there is usually up to PL
When PL appointed the project shambles boss ( Ronny ). DD stepped in
Celtic can comfortably spend over 25m in this window with no danger of going into debt
We won’t spend that as it’s easier for PL to leave cash in the bank for AGM balance sheet
So PL is a “one trick pony”. Have a look in the mirror mate
SYDNEY TIM
Just another wee friendly question.
And thank you for your civilised answer to my last one.
But how do you know that is Peters remit.
Would luv to know.
H.H Mick
SYDNEYTIM on 23RD JUNE 2019 11:32 AM
Big joe. There is only one boss at Celtic Park
Peter Lawwell
He has a remit from DD. Zero debt
How he gets there is usually up to PL
When PL appointed the project shambles boss ( Ronny ). DD stepped in
Celtic can comfortably spend over 25m in this window with no danger of going into debt
We won’t spend that as it’s easier for PL to leave cash in the bank for AGM balance sheet
I disagree, PL has a budget set by DD, and that’s it……….. simple
MM. it was let slip by DD in an early interview where he said that he would not allow the club get into debt but would not run the club
Hebcelt. I am a Celtic football club fan. You are are Celtic plc fan. Big difference
You are happy if we don’t spend the dembele and Rodgers money ( 29m) Plc fan
I want that money given to Neil Lennon a football fan. Big difference
MELBOURNE MICK on 23RD JUNE 2019 11:29 AM
BIG JOE
Big VVD became that player when he had the confidence of the
Celtic support behind him, not often afforded to a lot of fine players
over the years aka Charlie Gallaher, big Tid, et al.
Maybe we should lighten up a bit.
H.H Mick
However……………………. it won’t happen
SYDNEY TIM
Thank you for a constructive reply, but i suppose it’s down to
how we all see speculation and accumulation differently.
As regards Hebcelt? i’ve never met a more avid Celtic fan in all
my years supporting the hoops.
H.H Mick
MM. some people believe the spin Other people believe we can do far better and fail because of an autocratic CEO
The CEO who single handed was responsible for shutting a stand and putting banners on seats
Desmond doesn’t have a clue what happens at the club on a daily basis, Celtic in his grand scheme of things is nothing, it makes him little money in real terms, Celtic are an emotional investment, as for him setting budgets et all, the board will have set out a structure and Lawwell will have free reign within that structure to do as he pleases, it’s not rocket science, it’s how PLC’s work, ours is no different, the PLC care only about the PLC, Lawwell will not gamble, he has shown over the years where is is coming from, wishful thinking that he will because there is money in the bank is just that, wishful thinking.
There will be little spend and CL football qualification will be a bonus if it happens.
People really need to take off their green blinkered specs, we are run by a PLC, going by what gets posted on some of the forums it seems that the majority of people have no clue how they operate.
They are not supporters.
As long as any major transfers out for the likes of KT and CM are conducted early in this window and at maximum fees then we have to grin and bear it im afraid.
It simply is not a decision for PL to make alone.
Players and their agents know their worth .When megabucks and mega wages come calling it is game over for us I’m afraid.
All we can do is tie them down to long contacts and take the huge fees .
That’s why the Boyata and Dembelle situations at the end of last summer where completely unacceptable and totally the blame of PL.
One was sold for a huge fee with no time to be replaced.The other was already running his contract down but we still threw away as much as £9 million because we were not prepared.We ended up with the worst scenario possible.A disgruntled player with one season left playing at 75% and waiting for may to come.
SYDNEY TIM
Spin is a part of everyday life nowadays, i agree with you on some
points but to suggest PL emptied the stands is absurd, after all that
wouldn’t help his bonus would it.
Yes i think we could do better, and in many aspects of the club i.e
retail. fan communication, promotional aspects worldwide, but it’s
easy to sit on a keyboard and criticise but we’ve just done a treble
treble ffs maybe we should take time to celebrate and appreciate
that against all we as a club are up against.
H.H Mick
The McKenna supposed transfer fee doesn’t make sense on two counts. number one the sheep reportedly already knocked back 7m from Aston Villa, so we are led to believe we go in with an improved 5m offer.
The second is he’s rid rotten
HH
MM. when the stand was closed. Pl
Was rewarded with a massive bonus due to zero debt Reduced salaries VVD sold with no replacement
He should have been sacked at wilo window
FATHER JACK on 23RD JUNE 2019 12:03 PM
Desmond doesn’t have a clue what happens at the club on a daily basis,
This is probably true, however, PL WILL have a budget to work to
“I’ve got the Post-season, pre-season, mainstream press reading, doom-believing Blues (nearly)”
with apologies to Loudon (the songwriter- not the bar)
I haven’t got the blues yet
But I am somewhat depressed
We’ve got a big first team player list
But none are fit to wear the shirt
When I wake up in the morning
The Press can seem so unfair
Although my player hasn’t left me yet
There’s a queue of taxis there.
I’m knocking back the electric juice
And popping Zoloft too
I’ve got a lot of free time
The rumours are all True Blue
I haven’t got the blues yet
But I’m definitely down
I’m reading Keef Jackshun
That mopey circus clown
I haven’t got the blues yet
But I admit I’m in the dumps
Everyone else is cheerful
But they’re a bunch of chumps.
I’m holed up in my living room
I hardly get around
As for my composure
That’s in the lost and founds.
I went to see a doctor
Actually a therapist
He said “Blame it on your parents, son,
They made you feel like this.”
I kinda sorta loathe myself
Let me count the ways
I haven’t got the blues yet
But I’m experiencing malaise.
I haven’t got the blues yet
But I guess it won’t be long
‘Cause the windae’ll soon be closing
Only 10 weeks to right this wrong.
My life isn’t tragic
But it’s still a doggone shame
We’re still the team we used to be
But I don’t want it to be the the same.
I like to wallow in it when I take a dive or dip
I suppose if I was English
I’d have a stiffer upper lip
I haven’t got the blues yet
I’m just a little low
But when I get bad rumours
You’ll be the first to know.
I’m just a leaky supertanker
With a lot of oil to spill
I sure am feeling sorry for myself
But if I don’t, who will?
ST Wow so you’re not a one trick pony you are also a mind reader, although a pretty poor one. You have’nt had the manners or the courtesy to ascertain my views on these particular subjects Away and gie us peace !!! MM thank you for your kind words but I think that you ghuys – with certain exceptions – keeping our club’s ethos alive and well do so much more than this humble supporter. Hail Hail and regards to all Hebcet
FATHER JACK
I’m sorry, but to suggest people who don’t have a clue how plc’s
work is something to beat a Celtic supporter with is ridiculous.
So a fan who gets up at dark o clock in Ireland and spends hours
getting to Celtic park via trains, boats, and planes are not supporters
because they don’t know how a plc works?
Hope you reassess that statement.
H.H Mick
Hebcelt. I have seen your views and your loyalty to peter lawell above all
Peter lawell is a liar and has lies to support on numerous occasions
Sydneytim.
Do you ever think that it may just be you and a blinkered attitude towards James?
James won every player of the year going, this season.
WGS, NFL ( first time ) and B.R. were fulsome in the praise of him.
In recent podcasts Kelvin Wilson and Joe Lesley named him as the best Celtic player when they were at the club.
Hail Hail
Lazydynamite
I thought big Dedryk gave us 100% when he eventually rejoined the squad.
The whole saga was badly handled by the club and the player. Looking back, had we taken the £9m, what would our defence have been like without him?