Champions League qualification comes into focus for Hearts today, when the draw is made for the second qualification round. Celtic’s name will not be pulled out of the bowl for another two weeks, while the playoff round starts four weeks tomorrow.
That is not a lot of time, but it is enough to get the necessary deals done and put us in a strong position to qualify for the tournament proper. Unfortunately, you and I are now conditioned to a frustrating process. Whatever the story behind Kelechi Iheanacho’s failed pursuit, it is totally consistent with how football transfers work.
Players employ agents to work as many angles with as many clubs as possible to get the best deal. If in demand, they will hold off until the last minute, as will their current clubs. The same will happen with the next negotiation, and the one after that. They only difference will be, agents will now smell blood in the water.
As Hyman Roth said to Michael, “This is the business we’ve chosen”. Understand the way football works, never complain about it. The job is not to get the world to bend to our way of doing business, it is to out-scheme the other schemers.
I expect we will spend a lot of money between now and the close of the window; enough to get us excited again. Will we spend it wisely, get value, develop a sustainable strategy, put us back to where we were in 2023? To paraphrase what Chevy Chase was told, “If I was trying to get [Celtic back on track], I sure as hell wouldn’t start from here.”
Argentina proved that it was possible to completely change the minds of neutrals who wanted you to win. It was a victory for football that Spain prevailed last night. Worthy world champions.
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” Decimated by BR,sadly”,
The meanderings of a lunatic.
13 trophies from 15.
Paul writes:
‘Players employ agents to work as many angles with as many clubs as possible to get the best deal. If in demand, they will hold off until the last minute, as will their current clubs.’
A player we all know, love and respect has just changed agents. Imagine the nick we could be in if Cal’s sharper agents work all the angles and score a millionaire-making deal that sees him leave in the last minute. Captain loss would leave us floundering this season, regardless of what the sharp chinned/suited/hirsute men do.
Honestly, Cal leaving would root us terminally this season coming.
As for the WC final; Spain were Celtic to Argentina’s cynical, sore-losing, nasty Huns-of-bitches. Rotten mob.
As for the acclaimed best player in the world; he’s playing in Saudi and is managed by oor ex Angelos.
The Blogger.
You ARE Alan Shearer.
Quadro,
8 goals and 4 assists,blooters your boys performance right out the window.
He does very little at nearly 40 years of age,but what he does do,he does magnificently.
Greatest of all time.Just ahead of Maraddona
TB – I was referring to their comparative pomps. Messi was a passenger in that final.
Anyway, Ronaldo all the way for me ;)
PS: Big Rodri of Spain is absolute silk.
Turkeybhoy – I hope you are well and holding up in the summer heat?
Because Argentina maybe couldn’t play an open game against Spain doesn’t meant they have to resort to assault and battery. Great defending is one thing, thuggery is another. Argentina crossed the line during and after the game. If the officials had done their job there would have been no need for ET.
B78 – I thought the tackle was marginal and the winger was just put in touch by a great cover tackle.
I like Angus Gardner and think he’s a good ref so happy to go with his call.
Whilst I was hoping for an Argentina victory, what happened after that was poor form IMO and not in the spirit of the game.
Good afternoon all from the Queens Park Cafe. Time to ponder the meaning of life and a curry from the Anarkali.
In no particular order.
Any thoughts on talk of Kyogo coming back? Made up paper rubbish or are we once again trying to go back down memory lane?
He’s hardly kicked a ball since he left us and Liam Scales had probably scored more goals in that time.
Another wee bit of your childhood goes
Kevin Keegan RIP
I have very fond memories of Kyogo, like everyone else. If he really wants to come back, could we get him on a short contract to see if he can get back to anywhere near his old form?
Kevin Keegan, RIP. Sad news indeed.
RIP Kevin Superstar
I was at Wembley for the 1979 game, we lost 3-1, I was behind the goal when Keegan scored the third. It was one of the few area’s that had English fans in🙄
From memory it was the only decent goal they scored, the other two were goalie errors!
Kevin Keegan may you rest in peace. Your partnership with big John Toshack was wonderful.
Kevin Keegan.
One of the good guys.
Honest and sincere.
Yvonne Ridley 4 Glasgow
@yvonneridley
Viva Espana – congratulations.
https://x.com/yvonneridley/status/2078983941348847770
Nice.
I only ever had two posters on my bedroom wall – Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan.
It’s very sad to learn that Kevin has gone. He played the game the right way.
May he rest in peace in the knowledge that he was so much loved by so many.
Back in the pub going younger days , myself and a mate would be walking for a pint , at any point in the journey , he would shout Kevin Keegan , and you had to do that sideways jog/run that they did in training . Why ? Who knows ,but it was funny at the time and you got there quicker.
Never done it on the way home tho 😂
RIP Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan R.I.P.
A fabulous player.
Now onto our 5th keeper……soon be second page ..
Kevin Keegan, a fine player and an equally fine man. Even in an England shirt it was hard to dislike him.
Sad news…
Very sad news about Kevin Keegan…..my great aunts had a soft spot for him because he was educated the correct way 🙏….RIP
The Irish Politics Newsletter
@IrishPoliticsNL
This is shocking.
At an EU Foreign Affairs Committee meeting, Lynn Boylan lamented that it was “a pity we can’t use our own language.” When it was pointed out that she could, in fact, speak Irish, she backtracked almost instantly: “I wasn’t prepared, so I’ll use English.”
https://x.com/IrishPoliticsNL/status/2077025255357325379
^^
SF have become the Irish version of the SNP post Adams and McGuinness.
Cheap pretentious sleekits who will reunite no country.
What a time to be alive!
Remember Keegan on Superstars? The high-speed crash on the cycling track?
In a 1976 heat in Bracknell, England, he was racing against Belgian footballer Gilbert Van Binst when his bike clipped the back wheel of his opponent’s bike. Keegan was sent skidding across the cinder track, shredding his back and arms. In a remarkable display of grit, he got back on his bike, won the re-ride, and eventually went on to win the heat.
Legend 💪
Sad to hear of Kevin Keegans passing, great player. RIP
RIP Kevin Keegan, by all accounts a gem of a human being as well as a wonderful footballer. Built a brilliant Newcastle side too. Very sad news.
PS Nicholson out, Square Jaw out, Despot out!
Kevin Keegan in Parkhead
https://youtube.com/shorts/0bRcjD1Xd5A?si=wxbVmS_92eV0vkAj
RIP
Kevin Keegan falls to the untreatable stage 4 Cancer Plandemic.
Another sad day for the rapidly declining human race.
Kevin Keegan Rest in Peace.
The end of tippy tappy out from the back?
https://celtsarehere.com/celtic-fc-oneill-timeline-mcgregor-talks/
Greenpinata on 20th July 2026 1:08 pm
Surely a goalkeeper is at the bottom end of our priorities.
*we need 3 for europe just the same as an Academy
“Understand the way football works, never complain about it.”
Where’ s the fun in that? Or the money for the schemers? Or the other two bob schemers stinking up the forums and chatrooms
Martin has learned quickly about how football works compared to 20 years ago. That seems to include how unpopular “communicating” unpopular truths can make you.
If Martin cant get across to the fans how difficult it is, if hes not being taken at his word then t nobody can
Daizen’s goal against Sweden on the shortlist for goal of the tournament apparently
https://x.com/CelticFC/status/2053584613352620394/mediaviewer
Soz,
Wrong link
🤪
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 20th July 2026 5:40 pm
BtB, every time I click on this post of yours, I get the message, ‘this page doesn’t exist’. I’m presuming it Maeda’s overhead kick, but can’t work out why it won’t open.
The link works fine for me.
Not sure I’ll ever tire of watching that goal (a bit like Henrik’s).
It started a week that will never be forgotten.
Delicious.