If anyone tells you we are about to bid €7m on a guy who scored fewer league goals than Billy McKay last season, and who was signed for €500k last summer, don’t listen to them. Nonsense like this is 180 degrees away from strategy. Where would such a player’s sell-on value increase to? It’s just not going to happen, nor should it, it would be a vanity purchase, the likes of which old Zsa Zsa himself would consider.
The last season we have figures for (season 2011-12), when we had Europa League football, Celtic lost £7m. Since then three significant things have changed:
We’ve sold Wanyama and Hooper for over £17m (before deductions).
We got back into the Champions League and earned an additional £20m.
Season book sales dropped and this season cost £100 less than before.
Cutting £100 off the ticket price will bring in £4m less than last season. All other things being equal (which they will not be), this would give us an £11m deficit before Champions League income and any trading surplus. In short, to retain equilibrium, we need to reach the Champions League group stage more often than not. Money from Uefa is not so much a bonus, it is necessary to push us into the black.
I know we covered this last week, but £17m for Victor and Gary will not, on its own, equate to £17m for new players. Gary and Victor were both on their first Celtic contracts when they left, neither of which was near the top earning position (although both were offered top earning contracts).
We’re not going to spend £17m on transfers and be able to pay the new players from the money saved by not paying Victor and Gary. Instead, the boost to the football budget from these sales will almost certainly disproportionately increase wages, leaving a lesser amount for transfers (if we sign four players for £2.5m each, we’ll probably have to pay each more than the average of Victor and Gary’s wage).
Knowing where they came from, I reckon Victor and Gary cost approximately a combined total of £1m p.a. in wages, the bulk of which would have gone to Gary. If we bring in four players, each costing multiple millions, they could easily cost us an extra £2m per annum in wages, or £8m over their four year contracts.
In short, there is enough money available to buy several good players, for decent money, on high wages (for Celtic). This is a good, sustainable, place to be, but it is not transfer window nirvana. We have moved from a position of carrying a perpetual loss to being able to afford an increase in football budget without splurging into debt to fund it.
This isn’t a detailed budget analysis, there are lots of other variables (McCourt, Rogne etc off the wages, not Murphy, whose wages were off the books already), non-football budget cost inflation, considerable drop in one-off ticket sales (20k seats for £42 each at Rangers games twice a season) and commercial income from 2011-12, variations in season book sales (I hear they are marginally up on same time last year but still down on 2011-12).
The big challenge for the club is to ensure the playing squad is good enough to qualify for the Champions League group stage, and to compete when there, more often than not, without indulging in casino football every year.
We stick to plan, scout and recruit players within budget and with high potential sell-on values. €7m on a striker from Heerenveen? Better stick it on black.
The Kano Foundation have around 40 bucketeers for their annual drive at Celtic Park on Sunday. They could do with a few more. If you can do your bit, get in touch: contactus@thekanofoundation.com.
Check out the 1254125 Great Scottish Run page. I plan to keep this page updated with progress on the event and other resources. When you sign up, let me know and I’ll promote your donations page.
[calameo code=00039017126b6a648d717 lang=en page=128 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,239 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- ...
- 33
- »
On a non Celtic topic. Scotland has another World Champion, two in fact, my niece was part of the GB team that has just won the Modern Pentathlon Junior Woman’s World Relay Championships in Hungary today. The team of three included two Scots.
Proudunclecsc
Last nites show proved many tims want an alternative 2 #Clydes lies & BS
Show 2 nite starts @ 630pm
Your show
Your number
0141 416 1888
From @tommyinglasgow
Last nites show proved many tims want an alternative 2 #Clydes lies & BS
Show 2 nite starts @ 630pm
Your show
Your number
0141 416 1888
mrob1967- Emmylou even survived the tricky mullet stage, to grow old very gracefully.
A1 on my Emmylou jukebox would be ‘Boulder to Birmingham’ on the a-side and either ‘Pancho and Lefty’ or ‘San Antone Rose’ on the b-side.
I bought the first albums on vinyl in either Listen on Byres Road or Pink Panther in Carlisle.
Sorry boys forgot to add tommy in Glasgow
DERBYSHIRE BHOY
That’s a horrible disease,that Penny was unaware of breaking her femur is the proof of that.
I wish you and yours some better luck,mate.
Family and health are the two most important things anyone has.
Have we signed anyone yet?
Who is the second player.
I DEMAND TO KNOW WHO IT IS!
Congratulations to your niece Craigellachie
DBBIA
Saw Emmylou and the Hot Band at the Albert Hall(!) in London in 1976/77(?).
Fantastic set.
Great backing band, and she had the voice of an angel.
Was madly in love with her.
HH!!
Regarding season book sales.
1 the club made a significant investment in reducing the price of the season books. I hope the final number justifies at least part of that decision, but even if it doesn’t it was a good sensible decision
2 The club also made it clear it was a one year deal. It might not be easy to put up the prices next season though
3 i hope the club have a plan , for when The Rangers arrive in the top division. I hope they reward those who have continued to buy a season book by offering them a better price than those who ducked out when Rangers disappeared and may very well want to buy back in when The Rangers get to the top division
Dontbrattbakkinanger
Here, There and Everywhere was possibly the first time I heard a cover version which was so much better than the original. Great interpretation.
Loved Pieces of the Sky also and Songbird.
Still have these on vinyl.
Bye for now.
Cheers BT. She has worked very hard to get where she is and it is great to see her get this success.
Jackie mac – ive been called worse so no offence taken. Thing is I dont mind us selling who we have sold. I even understand we need to take a gamble on players. However its the double standards that get me.
The board tell us they dont gamble – but of course they do. They gamble with cl qualification every year and on tge suport remaining gullible.
Celtic need to realise a strategy must be flexible and reactive. When you have a chance to really progress get some quality in. It helps your youngsters too.
Also pauls post here is on a par with the famous celtic bank post – but you all love it. Imagine if I posted that. Gulp!
derbyshirebhoy
Hope everything works out for you.
JIMBO67
A week without drink?!
Are you shoooor that’s part of the middle-class deal? A bottle of gin underneath the sink and copious amounts of wine should see you settling in fine.
But I wouldn’t give the valet a night off,he may use it to find other employment.
With PHILVISRETURNS for example,though he only employs henchmen,the Gentleman Thug that he is.
Good luck wi the job,bud. I hope,as a music fan,you canny get past the first bar!
DBBIA
Just to really destroy my cred wi STEINREIGNEDSUPREME,I loved The Hollies version of “From Boulder to Birmingham”
EclecticCSC
BMCUWP
I’ve gone two days without. Walked past several pubs on way from work to the station without too much difficulty – but taken a route that doesn’t take me past The Horseshoe or Failte so perhaps no real achievement. A wee break until Saturday won’t do me any harm.
Thanks for kind wishes re the job. As for the middle class behaviour are tattie scones and rolls on sausage part of the scene?
Jimbo
I see the Sevcovians have “written” a song for Jon Daly which as you’d expect shows their usual level of class or dignity.
It’s a long way to Tipperary as the tune –
It’s a long way for our Jon Daly
It’s a long way from home
It’s a long way for our Jon Daly
Far from Dublin and Rome
He used to wear the orange
But now red white and blue
For He long long longed to be a Proddie
Now his dream has come true.
In the words of Ron Burgundy – You stay classy San Diego
TONTIME TIM
Vic Davidson was a lovely player to watch on the ball,but maybe knocked off it by brute force too easily.
But pmsl at the Rangers scout,brilliant wee tale…
JIMBO67
It’s rolls AND sausage.
Yer working-class credentials are safe,bud-chuck the new joab n get back on the tools!
Derbyshirebhoy, We all hear about the bad news but tens of thousands are going for tests every day and in the vast majority of cases there are no serious problems. I’m sure you will be fine you have my best wishes.
jimbo67 Your post reminds me of Doctor telling alcoholic to take a route to ensure he passed no pubs on his way home from work. I already do said the lad. How come you always arrive home drunk then says doc. reply. Well I never pass any cos I call in to them all.
I know, I know its as corny as the hills.
tictactic @tic_tac_tic 4m
A look at Elfsborg’s team ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League qualifier: http://www.tictactic.co.uk Also consider Celtic options
LUNCH IN AID OF SiMBA
LOLA COMMONS FUND FOR SiMBA
Many of you will know by now the magnificent charity work Lisa Hague partner of Kris Commons lends herself to! She has been an outstanding ambassador for our club and really does encompass all that is good about the Celtic Family.
For those who may not know Kris and Lisa’s first daughter Lola was stillborn, they both understand the agony of far too many parents who find themselves in the same situation. Rather than keep their grief private they are helping so many others that find themselves in the same position.
On Sunday the 15th of September there is a “Ladies Lunch” being held in the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow in aid of the Lola Commons fund for SiMBA tickets are £55 each. It is shaping up to be a great day out with some special “bhoy” visitors making an appearance later on!
We are scheduled to play Hearts on the Saturday away from home, just think if the game gets moved to the Sunday you will get peace to watch it!
There is also a “men” only table which you can bid for a place on.. just think of those lovely WAGS serving you drink… and I promise to stay away from your table!
Anyone wanting anymore information please drop me an email at minx1888@yahoo.co.uk
JamsieBhoy
WE DESERVE BETTER!
JimmyQuinnsBits 15:38 on 30 July, 2013
“Its desperate when a dish isnt what you expect it to be. I remember once i had this bowl of muesli when i was supposed to be eatin the hamsters nest for a bet”
Wood shavings – the lot…
My idea of gastro hell is a bowl of the ole tripe washed down with a few bottles of Efes.
An occasion that could only be made worse by discovering Rose West was yer blind-date.
Me being a happy clapper ,I have been happy with the way the club has gone about it’s business through the turbulent times of late .
Of course good times come and go and the mine shafters will have their day and I will just have to put up with the “I told ye so’s” .At the end of the day we all want what’s best for our club and there is nothing wrong with our differing opinions .
I have loved every single minute of football since ragers 1872 ceased to exist and I would have loved it even more if Paradise was busting at the seams with a 20,000 waiting list .
What I am not looking forward to is Sevco 2012 reaching the SPL ,I hope in my heart of hearts that a route out of this corrupt set up has opened up for us before then .
For years we have been fobbed off as being paranoid ,well it’s now been proved we were not paranoid enough .
If anyone thought the cheating was bad before ,it will be nothing compared to what we will witness in the future .
What we looking at attendance wise tomorrow are tickets selling
derbyshirebhoy
you haven’t had your troubles to seek! really sorry you don’t even have weds game to help take your mind off these woes, your brother in-law is a diamond, and you sir to think of others at such a horrid time speaks volumes, a testimony to all on this site, caring and thoughtful, hope things improve for you and your family soon.
WGS 15.58
So that will be none then.
(:-)
TT
When it comes to tripe, I am definitely a happy clapper.
Mum used to make it …. would boil it, then serve it in a milky broth with potatoes and onions. loved it, plus the added bonus was that my brother hated it!
since that time, I have had it many times all over the world …. Italian style (cooked in a marinara sauce) … Chinese …. cooked with ginger and green onion …. Barbadoes in a pepper pot …
Never had a bad bowl of tripe!
Good luck to the bhoys tomorrow
Looks like Sammi is enjoying his football just now and he seemed delighted to get his goal at CP in the last round hope the big archer has us all a quiver again tomorrow
Hail hail
looks like a poor crowd tomorrow loads of tickets still left mickybhoy
MIT
I known to talk it ………….often
HH
derbyshirebhoy – really sorry to hear that, will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers, and I will make sure we do give the bhoys an extra cheer from you both on Wednesday! Go Bless.
MIT
Sorry should read
I,m known to talk it ………often
HH
mickybhoy1
I am looking at 50,000 +.
We had 37,000 + for Cliftonville. I suspect many went to that because of the “special relationship” but , even so, 37K for a tie that was already over would suggest 50 K + for a meaningful game.
JJ
If there were 37,000 at the Cliftonville game I would expect a turnout of at least 45,000 tomorrow night.
HH!!