For Celtic, summertime business is every bit as important as the more traditional cup finals and league deciders held later in the season. We face qualifers for Champions League or Europa League group stage, which define our financial health and desirability as a potential employer.
The most important achievement was recorded on Wednesday when we qualified for the Champions League, but now we’re there, how prepared will we be?
Seven players left the squad, Daryl Murphy, who had already spent two years out on loan, Thomas Rogne and Paddy McCourt, who rarely saw first team action last season, and Tony Watt, who seems to be less effective than he was in the opening weeks of last season, and is now out on loan.
More importantly, Gary Hooper, Kevlin Wilson and Victor Wanyama all left, three players who were instrumental in our European victories last season.
Hooper is a textbook big game player who scored home and away against Spartak Moscow but he missed the home win over Barcelona and scarcely got a sniff of the ball home and away to Benfica, or in the Camp Nou, where his role as a penalty box poacher was less effective.
Kelvin Wilson had a disappointing first season at Celtic but as last season progressed there was a noticeable rise in appreciation of his talents. He had an exemplary Champions League campaign.
Victor Wanyama was the most effective central midfield player Celtic have had for some considerable time. We saw little of Roy Keane at Celtic but in Wanyama, you could see a player with the potential to go as far in the game. He is young and still has lots to add to his game, concentration, for a start, but we saw him grow from a place on the substitutes’ bench to a £12m player in 18 months.
It surprised a few that Victor (along with Gary) went to a team often found at the wrong end of England’s top flight, but he is still potential. The acclaim he received at Celtic is similar to that bestowed on Liam Miller nine years ago, whose Champions League performances were breath-taking. I still can’t fathom what happened to Miller but I hope Victor continues to improve; if he does, he could appear in the Camp Nou as a home player.
21-year-old Israeli central midfielder Nir Biton looks like a straight replacement for Wanyama. I don’t know enough about any of the new recruits yet to put my name to them but on paper, Nir works. At 6’5” he continues our current tradition of signing players born to shoot hoops, as well as wear them. A trial at Manchester City fell apart amid a diplomatic incident involving his nationality. He was going to make a move to a Champions League team at some point and, for the player, Celtic will look like an excellent option.
There was a moment during THAT game at Fir Park in 2005 when Craig Bellamy tore up the turf with the ball before looking up for someone to accept his cross, only to throw his arms up in frustration that there was no one in the box. Having one fast player is just not effective.
We’ve had pace-merchant James Forrest for a few years but we don’t play a speed-based game to suit his talents. With fellow-sprinter Derk Boerrigter also in the team now one of the things I know Celtic were looking for in a striker was pace, which is what I expect to see from Teemu Pukki.
Much of our Champions League game will be about playing counter-attacking football so we have to recruit for this model.
Teemu has been playing a supporting role for Schalke since they played against him, then signed him, from HJK Helsinki two years ago, but we have not had a striker who could claim a regular starting place in that company in nine years. He is another one who, on paper, works for me.
Amido Balde has been given some protection from too much responsibility and exposure to allow him to settle into the club, city and language, Celtic is a lot different from Vitoria Guimaraes. I heard that, like Wanyama during his first season, he’ll be allowed to settle into life as a Celtic player.
Virgil van Dijk was simply delicious against Dundee United yesterday. He has height, build, speed, can run with the ball and can pass. Build a defence around him. Steven Mouyokolo is one of those gambles managers like to take on players, who were once lauded but have had injury or other blemishes on their record. Most don’t work but we’ll soon find out if Steven has overcome his injury problems.
Derk Boerrigter has skill and pace. He is another one recruited with Champions League football in mind (not to face 10 defenders in the SP), a competition he has already performed well in for Ajax.
The comment was made to me that the players coming in were uninspiring compared to the three key players who left but while I could contest that, there doesn’t seem much point. We recruited Hooper and Wilson from the lower leagues in England, and Wanyama as a teenager from a small Belgian club. It’s not what you know about a player when he signs that counts……..
For years we have been encouraging Celtic to scout better markets and find value. They have been doing this to great effect in recent seasons. The gap between where we were last season and one stage further in the Champions League was enormous. To bridge it will take a while during which time we need to make every pound work.
Enjoy the ride.
Tomorrow we’ll talk money. In short, while I blogged a couple of weeks ago illustrating the circa £17m operational gap we have before Champions League or player trading income (i.e. we are not a rich club), notions that we are anywhere near being a poor club is laughable.
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Spurs £108 mil buys you that……?
Up The Gunners
Bbc showing spfl highlights at 10:20 pm tonight
5* have a new season of ” The Walking Dead” kicking off at 10pm. Hmmmmm
Up The Saffrons
Bear with me on the first bit of this post……
I remember, years ago, working on a project with people from companies across various industries. One guy worked for an oil company. This was at a time when the oil price fluctuated massively on a daily basis. I asked how they managed their fixed costs when revenue was so unpredictable. He said that they based everything on a conservative estimate of a price per barrell and a corresponding retail price at the pumps. This avoided a boom or bust approach.
PL and the Board have to manage Celtic through similar uncertainty. They cannot assume CL money nor buy players to “guarantee” success through 4 or 6 qualifying games. They can’t even assume sponsorship monies for the SPFL. SB revenues are also unpredictable.
I don’t agree with everything PL and the Board do but I have confidence that they are worthy custodians of the future of Celtic.
We don’t have to look too far for examples of wreckless spending and transfer policies.
KTF
100 million to produce one save from the Arsenal goalie?
Villa Boas can’t get his team to give one of the leagues worst defenses any work to do.
The fear factor of losing is permeating the EPL.
The hype way beyond the product on show.
Think the viewing figures may go down this season if the drab fare of the first few weeks is continued.
fan a tic
Just wasted 90 mins I’ll never get back on that dross.
fan-a-tic
The fear factor of losing is permeating the EPL.
NAIL HEAD
Then you have death of football Jose back
“The pace at which the game has started indicates this could be another Arsenal-Tottenham encounter that’ s got quite a few goals in it”. (1-0)
This is the football “expert” that is Pat Nevin. So because a game starts at a fast pace there will be lots of goals?
Fan a Tic
The fear factor in the EPL is turning every game into a bore. Only exciting football I have watched this season was Palace in second half yesterday.
Delaneys Dunky / Fan a Tic
The last two or three seasons there have been loads of goals. Teams were experementing with different formations. Now almost everybody seems to have gone to a 4-2-3-1 so they are probably cancelling each other out.
canamalar prays Oscar can do it again
17:36 on
1 September, 2013
Auldheid..,
That was some spiel pal well impressed, even managed to bring in socialism well done, inescapable point being the PLC are legally responsible to maximise profit irrespective of all your claims of noble intentions and responsibilities of the board they are there to make a buck and if they don’t the corporate investors will crucify them.
As for blaming the players, sorry I go to watch the players and I put them in there with actors, the better the actor the better show, if it costs a bit extra to get a good one then so be it, however if yer willing to pay a fortune for a cardboard cut out that’s no the cut outs problem now is it.
After the discussion. We had the other day about the board no paying minimum wage to Celtic staff and you somehow still manage to have sympathy for them and their objectives, honestly ?
===========================
I was simply making the point that a PLC is not necessarily the best constitution for a football club and why.
I made no claims of noble intent, just the factors at play. Players take the lion’s share of any profit. Check the accounts.
With regard to the old “if that is what they are offered then take it argument”, it abandons responsibility to fellow workers and in football, players need fellow players. Thus it is in their own interests not to bleed the game dry. which is where governors come in,to stop paying too much and yet you say its to make a profit. (Again the accounts do not support you.)
Some clubs do not see that as a role. Some have sugar daddies some go bust.
Glad you liked the piece. I did it about two years ago with you in mind. ;)
Mike in …,
It’s £100 worth of shares, thanks for clearing up the origin of the question. I know chairbhoy reopened your initial question a few nights ago and was duely thanked and as neganon said every PLC BOD is legally responsible to maximise profit whether we like or recognise it.
There is a vast void between what we supporter shareholders want and what the BOD are allowed to deliver. We must remember this when we listen to some swear their undying support for corporate representatives.
fan-a-tic
17:59 on
1 September, 2013
100 million to produce one save from the Arsenal goalie?
Villa Boas can’t get his team to give one of the leagues worst defenses any work to do.
The fear factor of losing is permeating the EPL.
The hype way beyond the product on show.
Think the viewing figures may go down this season if the drab fare of the first few weeks is continued.
==================
One can but hope.
Glasstwothirdsfull
Agreed, it is managers fearing the sack, that has created the negativity.
I dont think big Rogic has produced any great form since he signed for us so I think competition for him could be the best thing to happen for him he may well make the grade he may not that is the nature of young players. H.H.
Do I need a £100 worth of shares or 100 shares? I’m all over the place with this.I just want to add to the list.In my opinion if the questions are not asked of the board at this AGM they’ll bring a rule where coporate responsibility is not to be questioned.Cameron took a flyer this week on Syria and was duffed up.I’m not looking to duff up anyone.I would just like answers to the questions posed by Canamalar.
malc 17.23
Absolutely.
Dortmund go the top of the Bundesliga.
gordon_j backing neil lennon
16:34 on 1 September, 2013
I would have liked to have seen left back cover and another striker coming in – but we don’t always get everything we want. We have signed a number of good looking young players .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Looks doesn’t make them good players :-)))
On EPL – have now watched
MU v Chelscum – MU v Liverpool – Arsenal v Spurs
Very poor entertainment MUQN will be in meltdown – AW looks a sage in not wanting to pay highly inflated fees for players who seem incapable of doing anything original with the ball
JM might be good for the press and TV – he is brutal for football
On Friday night every time a Bayern player tried to pass and move his Chelscum opponent simply blocked him off – Ashley Cole spent the game simply kicking any BM player who came within 5 yards of him and the less said the better about the assault the guy was given a second yellow for!
Win at all costs will be his motto as ever – just like Seville
In the North London derby – Spurs – even allowing for new players needing time to gel were very poor
HH
Delaney’s Dunkey
I too hope that young Tony Watt uses the loan in Belgium wisely. Apart from discipline he will hopefully also appreciate that chips taste much better with mayo than vinegar:-) Much better for his diet as well.
And by the way–if Celtic do not pay minimum wage that is utterly shameful.Perhaps someone will ask this at the AGM. They let the Green Brigade spend thousands on the Barca game and others,yet banned them when the chance arose. I think the board do a good job 90% of the time, but they use Health and Safety and the cops as excuses when they need them.
Mayo is on another planet better than vinegar but is certainly not better for your diet, unfortunately :O)
I’ve not read the minimum wage issue, anyone got a link?
I assume it’s a zero hours contract thing rather than not paying the minimum hourly rate??
A lot of American fans after Chelsea -Man U were saying it was games like that are a big reason the sport has never really been anything but a niche sport in this country.
Here they love to follow the hype but even they will tire of the non entertainment factor.
I know we are in a defensive cycle now that the Barca legend has diminished but hoping some bright coach comes up with a system that nullifies and others follow suit.
Was a little disappointed in Peps Bayern on Friday as they seemed to be a slower tempo and less direct version of last seasons.They made Mourinho’s job easier.
Phil MacGiollaBhain@Pmacgiollabhain16m
Anyone who might have team pictures of Celtic from 1949 & 1950. Reserves and firsts please get in touch.
Thanks
Magnificent game of football today well done to the Jacks in beating the Kingdom but hopefully the Green and red win the Sam this year and stop being nearly men !
A will settle for JBM lifting the Mc Carthy next Sunday ! The time is right the time is now COME ON THE REBELS !!!
Corcaigh Abu and Hail Hail !!
Ps Dontcha just love the Hoops Champions league bring it on !!!
Yep, was disappointed with Bayern the other night.
Deserved their CL last season but I wouldn’t put them up there with any of the great teams that have won it, they sort of won it because Barca had a poor season.
Auldheid..,
I don’t think players actually care about or even consider other players interest. Neither do I think they are interested for the simple fact that they relly don’t know how long their career is going to last and that IMO is the overriding factor and the main point their agent makes or should be the main point their agent should be making, my point is this is a mass media entertainment industry just like movies and telly, in fact I’d probably would and have every time, pay more to see Messi than any actor, watching magic like that for me has more attraction than any movie I’ve ever watched.
auldheid
18:18 on 1 September, 2013
fan-a-tic
17:59 on
1 September, 2013
100 million to produce one save from the Arsenal goalie?
Villa Boas can’t get his team to give one of the leagues worst defenses any work to do.
The fear factor of losing is permeating the EPL.
The hype way beyond the product on show.
Think the viewing figures may go down this season if the drab fare of the first few weeks is continued.
==================
One can but hope.
—-
And that’s when the real talking will commence, on what will be the the next product to create interest in the beautiful game, and we need to be at the table.
Given that we are seeing a more Internationally commercial approach to business, then next steps will be a European league IMO, supply and demand will dictate this ( & TV revenue/ ratings droppings for current fare).
Constant appearance at the top table ( CL group stages ) will give us a strong argument for being part of the core of ( international ) clubs who will get together to discuss and agree how this concept will be designed. That voice should ensure development of our club on a wider stage.
Canamalar prays Oscar can do it again
Agree Messi is the main bright spot on a relatively dull landscape.
Ronaldo is also good but his character and cheating blot his brightness.
Hoping Neymar will rise to compete with his team mate
Watched Groningen v Ajax (1-1) earlier today. Not at all impressed by Ajax.
They could be this season’s Spartak Moscow in the CL, i.e. 6 points to be had!
3 at home against AC Milan and we’ll have 9 points.
Anything thereafter is a bonus and 2nd spot in this group is definitely achievable IMHO.
Bring it on!!!!!
hen1rik
17:42 on
1 September, 2013
Just logged in boys so don’t know if this already posted.
Twitter.
1.2.9″an Agreement includes any form of arrangement,whether or not in writing and whether or not legally binding” WTF http://t.co/dZIlqCJDaC
2.4.4 So Sevco “irrevocably acknowledges under UEFA it is ineligible to participate in UEFA comps” so SFA memb effectively brand new(Art 12)
5WA 2.1 Why didn’t SPL Lawyer Rod McKenzie instruct LNS that Sevco(TRFCL) were liable for any SPL sanctions,instead LNS fined RFC(IL) 250k?
5WA 2.1 states Sevco were to be “liable and responsible for the purpose of imposition of sanctions by the SPL” So why was oldco fined??
====================
Those questions re LNS went through my head when I read the draft agreement this morning. Glad you highlighted them.
SFA were only recognising the supremacy of Article 12 of UEFA FFP re 3 years membership. They have simply have failed to pronounce it in public.
But here is one for you on that score. Which of the following applied to Rangers in the spring of 2011 when they completed application for that UEFA licence?
Article 43 – Declaration in respect of participation in UEFA club competitions
or
Article 45 – Written contract with a football company
its the same for UEFA FFP 2010 as it is in UEFA FFP 2012 and you can get the rest here
http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Tech/uefaorg/General/01/80/54/10/1805410_DOWNLOAD.pdf
SFA were asked if 43 applied but declined to answer……..
I think a fair and balanced assessment. As a Celtic supporter, of course it is natural to think about building on achievements (last season). I think we supporters have gotten a bit wise to finances now and its not quite one step forward and two steps back but worthy of scrutiny nevertheless. Have we achieved in the transfer market as well as on the field….that has to be PL’s marker?
Raymac,
£100 worth
Tim tanium
Get him off chips altogether. Though I love mayo on mine :-)
Phil Mac got directed to
Phil see: http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/Team+Line+Ups+Pictures …
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! till later all away to look at pics