Here’s how it works. Celtic tell agents the profile of players they are looking for, who subsequently send their client’s CVs and DVDs back. If one fits the profile (for example: a central defender, with pace, wage budget £X, transfer budget £Y), then he is retained for consideration.
Some retained for consideration make it onto ‘the list’. Celtic actively pursue these players, usually more than one per requirement, as they know how deals can fall through. If players start to drop off the list, either because they have not performed to standard when scouted, or Celtic’s approach is declined, names are added to the list from those retained for consideration.
That ‘retained for consideration’ folder generates more advertising revenue than anything else in football. Lots of people are incentivised to link a name to Celtic (or many other clubs). The agent can legitimately tell a journalist he’s spoken to Celtic about a player, the journalist can then trail the transfer saga for weeks, its rise, climax and last minute hitch, will generate millions of hits. This is called Click Bait, you are the target.
Consider the near certainty of the reporting that Jelle Vossen was about to sign for Celtic. The Genk striker matches Celtic’s criteria in several areas: he’s a striker, they will be able to afford his wages and transfer fee, they have received information on him. Hundreds of articles have been written on this basis alone, generating thousands of pounds of advertising revenue.
The problem is, Jelle Vossen isn’t on ‘the list’. His CV is stuck in a folder somewhere at Lennoxtown, not currently under consideration. Celtic are not actively pursuing his services.
Danny Wilson? Never made it onto the list. His agent got a courteous response “months ago” when first asked if there was interest. Danny’s CV is in the same folder Jelle’s is in. When I spoke to a senior source at the club yesterday, the player is so far off radar, the source couldn’t even remember Wilson’s name when I asked about Celtic being rejected in favour of a newco.
The PR behind the message sent out with Wilson’s signing was inspired. Some of the reporting was shameful. The days of being able to twist a story against Celtic without consequence are gone. The BBC recanted one story (at the insistence of reporter Alasdair Lamont). Sky Sports News gave Neil McCann a stage for utter guff on Wilson rejecting Celtic, while much of the print and online media quickly moved on, not caring one way or the other.
The episode reminded me of the almost universal line the media took the day Neil Lennon resigned – unhappy at Celtic’s transfer budget, apparently. This message was never attributed but it was reported so widely, you could trace the manipulation. We even had the Usual Brigade of ex-Celts ready to express their disappointment at the club’s financial decisions. Economic illiterates, to a man. The story was nonsense and almost certainly came from the same source as Wilson’s rejection.
There are strikers on Celtic’s list, but if the agent’s talking to the media, chances are, he’s not talking to Celtic anymore.
Here’s a Bob Dylan singing Like a Rolling Stone, especially for Neil McCann. How does it feel………?
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The rags say we are interested in a player, no one here has ever heard of the guy but his youtube footage is good, Paul67 explains part of Celtic’s scouting process and that this player is not currently in our plans and guess what happens? Celtic are, as usual, told to stop mucking about and “get him signed” and that our terrible CEO and board are indulging in expectation management. I really despair of some of the crap I read on here. When have Celtic ever told anyone who they are looking at?
If Celtic say they are actively pursuing a player the price goes up and if he does not sign then they were trying to fool the support. If Celtic try to do their work quietly but still fail to sign the player then they are accused of lying and not being serious in the attempt.
How the he’ll can Celtic always be in the wrong no matter what they say? Ronny Deila says he wants to trim the squad, like many on here call for every transfer window, and it’s Peter Lawwell gambling again.
Away back to work for a break from the crap.
@SydneyTim
“Sell you top players”
Grow up. Our best players are foreign. They don’t grow up in Kenya or the Netherlands dreaming of playing for Celtic. When England comes calling we have little choice. We are a stepping stone club just like any other.
“Do you remember us being humilated in the qualifiers by teams who have a fraction of our turnover. Most teams in our qualifiers have a fraction of our turnover. But they are run as football clubs”
Aye and their players get paid less than ours. But that’s always the boards fault?
Ronny inherited a squad who were the champions of Scotland and paid more than Legia and Maribor. We didn’t need marquee signings to beat them. Ronny and the players fudged it. They didn’t look fit in Warsaw. Was evident when you saw how they faded.
Owen
Peter lawell has failed providing funds to our managers to match the spending of teams on a fraction of our turnover
Ps. Whisper it , there is no Sky TV in eastern Europe and we can’t match these teams for investing
Once again people not understand that turnover in isolation is pointless with regards to spending power.
The Clappers putting up a stern defence…..quite happy to trust the magical PL.
Blame the manager, the players, their fellow fans, anybody but those responsible.
When you get things wrong….you should man up ffs, instead of whinging about how your hands were tied…blah, blah, blah.
The Celtic board fecked up the CL last season…not RD.
HH
Team 1 has a turnover of £20M and costs of £15M. Team 2 has a turnover of £100M and costs of £99M. Who has most spending power?
JinkyRedStar- black throated diver?
My ornithological highlight has been the red kite I saw last week.
@The Green Man
“The Clappers” – Good job. Using a derisory and divisive term to describe your fellow Celtic fans
Won’t even bother.
Timaloy29
If we sold these foreign players and managers got all the funds. Great business for our football club
But it’s kept for AGM balance sheet
Vic was prime example
Yess. Flying to Barcelona on 14 July, would have missed the game.
Anyone know a place to watch the game in Barcelona, if televised?
the alarm went off in my house as well last night
jeez, it was like a 68 gun salute
i’ll get my coat….
weeminger
Id suggest that if we hadn’t thrown so much money away on projects….we might have been able to sign some decent players.
Who is responsible for that?
Is it you, me…..who?
Nobody wants to be unrealistic when it comes to modern day football, we know Celtic cant compete financially with top clubs, however, there has to be a recognition that loads of money has been squandered.
And not by the fans.
HH
@SydneyTim
If you’ve learned anything from the Govan fiasco, it’s that the costs of running a big club in Scotland are high compared to domestic income.
If we sell players, some of that money has to be re-invested elsewhere. We’ve had a season book price reduction, investment at the ground with new facilities and a new safe standing section is arriving.
They aren’t using the Daglish or Seville money to do it.
Morning all.
Lashing down in Largs. (As ever?!?)
Any news to cheer one up?
My friends in Celtic,
Debate is oxygen to a robust blog.
In that context I would say that to even contemplate downsizing our stadium is not an astute move and sends a loud message to our enemies and competitors.
The UK population is rising and we need to show more initiative in attracting all sections of society. Thinking outside the box is called for, not cutting capacity.
We all know the games that will potentially fill our stadium without effort. Effort is required for the rest. Is it a coincidence that our crowds are falling while the technology of streaming is rapidly advancing.
I long for the day that market forces finally works in our favour and we join the Welsh clubs in taking our rightful place in a league that befits our status and honest mistakes will indeed be honest mistakes.
HH.
Ps: congratulations to the “silly wee political girl” who graduated today with a first class honours degree. I may never agree with her but criticism doesn’t seem to have done her any harm. Why does it seem that it is only footballers that are such sensitive wee souls.?
The RSPB will be on the FF banned list after giving a big thumbs up to the recent Papal Encyclical on the future of the planet.
Pope Francis writes:
‘The alliance between the economy and technology ends up sidelining anything unrelated to its immediate interests. Consequently the most one can expect is superficial rhetoric, sporadic acts of philanthropy and perfunctory expressions of concern for the environment, whereas any genuine attempt by groups within society to introduce change is viewed as a nuisance based on romantic illusions or an obstacle to be circumvented’
– it maks sense tae me, and it maks sense tae Mo
timaloy29
Oops, im so, so, sorry(Father Jack style).
Didn’t mean to upset your preciousness.
I should have used the correct term…Happyclapper.
Although in your case, it doesn’t seem appropriate:)
Lighten up….there is no malice intended, I assure you.
HH
I will confidently predict right now that Celtic will be in the champions league after the qualifiers. We have a strong manager, a team who want to play for the hoops and Ronny, and a board who back them with good business practice. What’s not too like. Much more fun being a clapper. Will be pleased to see that centre forward joining the squad.
The Green Man
10:51 on
26 June, 2015
I’m not commenting on the transfer policy suffice to say lots of mistakes have been made. However saying we should beat X team as we have a much higher turnover is totally pointless.
As I said turnover in isolation is irrelevant when talking about the quality of player we can buy.
Timaloy. So you are saying out club is in financial trouble and we have to sell players. Mmm
Regarding the projects view It has failed dramatics at striker level
Money has been squandered
Eh pukkigate where a poor player was secured at last minute as all the other options had not been pursued
Paul 67 told us his pace will be important at CL level. But what was not stated is that he was the slowest player at Shalke
Another disgusting atrocity carried out by islamic extremists in France just been carried out …
thompsontwin
10:05 on 26 June, 2015
FFS – Will the SNP gullibles on here be organizing
bucket collections at CP to fill the £10 billion plus,
‘black-hole,in the event of FFA?
There will then be a GENUINE need for HYPER
FOODBANKS ..
You take what Mundell say as Gospel ?
Tory Bhoy .. Would rather have another generation of his bullingdon boy masters austerity than the chance for his own country to grow it’s own economy.
After the SNP landslide at next years Scottish elections .. Be no need for another referendum .. That will be a good enough mandate to declare independence ;)
See you joke of a slab leadership contenders have already thrown in the towel.
R :)
weeminger
I agree…we have a good manager, good players, and the best fans in the world.
Maybe the board might help us….unlike last season.
I live in hope, cause I love the Celtic.
HH
Clappers?
Much more fun bein’ a Clanger, especially durin’ the ole transfer window.
Unless wee Tiny Clanger is released on a Bosman.
Delaneys
Michael Collins pub next to Sagrada Familia, will show game if televised. You can check on line nearer the time mate.
Well not a great deal of info from my Belgian mate last night.He told me Vossen is regarded as on of Belgiums best strikers,but behind,not surprisingly,Benteke,and the other guy,whos name I forget.
He told me he was at Brugges FC,talking to people,and that Celtic have made inquiries about Brandon Mechele,the Brugges CH.Brugges,and my mate dont want to lose him as they think he is the best prospect since Kompany.Was immense for them last season,but he is quite keen to move.Brugges want to at least keep him for their qualifiers.Same as us with VVD.He is 22 and my mate reckons around £4 million if he went.H,mmmm.
Not a great deal of info,but the drink took over.
@The Green Man
It’s used as a derisory term for people who are happy (with the majority) of decisions that the club makes. It’s said usually by pompus self-appointed “rebels” who believe they are the only ones who can see the big picture and that the board are secretly sucking the club dry.
We didn’t win any of the 4 games we played against Legia and Maribor. Our players are much better paid than those teams. To say it had nothing to do will Ronny or the players is beggars belief.
Team that lost at home to Maribor
26 Gordon
23 Lustig
03 Izaguirre
21 Mulgrew
04 Ambrose
05 van Dijk
42 McGregor
25 Johansen
10 Stokes
33 Kayal
16 Berget
With no more signings, and assuming everyone is fit only five of that team (Gordon, Lustig, VVD, Izzy & Johansen) will be first picks in the qualifying games. The rest will be probably be Boyata, Brown, Bitton, Armstrong, GMS or Forrest and Griffiths. Add Commons, Scepovic, Stokes, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Matthews, Henderson in reserve and we are already much stronger than this time last season.
JinkyRedStar
Was watching the black throated divers a few miles north of Lairg.
Peace, quiet and only me and the dog and the wildlife. Can’t beat it.
Anybody want to set up a CQN birdwatching clique?
Gary67
Effe
Stokes
Mulgrew
Kayal
Berget
Those 5 players would not be technically good enough to get into Maribor squad
A team from Slovenia who don’t get Sky TV money
neilbhoy
Keep it off the blog, do it on Twitter!
sydneytim
11:13 on 26 June, 2015
Two have gone and the other three will be squad players, should they stay. That was my point, we are a lot stronger now than this time last year.
@Turkeybhoy
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/572263/Celtic-Brandon-Mechele-Club-Brugge
Looks like you were bang on.
@SydneyTim
“So you are saying out club is in financial trouble and we have to sell players. Mmm”
I’m saying that yes, in order to stay in the black we need to sell players here and there. Let’s not forget that we attract these young foreign players as we offer them a stepping stone to England. When a player decides he wants to go, you can maybe delay it but you can’t keep them forever.
“Regarding the projects view It has failed dramatics at striker level”
Our recent form in signing strikers is poor I agree but that’s football. I like Griffiths. I liked Guidetti. I’m willing to give Scepovic a chance.
I can remember going through years of signing crap left backs or crap goalies.
timaloy29
Pompous….I think you would know a bit about that yourself.
Now, first of all…like yourself im happy with most decisions at CP, for instance making wee jay a Celtic ambassador, was fantastic.
However, its not a cult of personality, of ideological rhetoric….no, we give opinions, we disagree.
We all have opinions on how Celtic are run, that doesn’t give you the right to get upset, when I don’t agree with you.
Like I said….you are being a bit precious.
We disagree, We agree, such is life.
neilbhoy
See any (Gil) Herons?
Saw this and absolutely had to share it!
http://www.taps-aff.co.uk/east+kilbride
Back to lurking….
Saw that Jo Inge Egret once.
Rubbish.
And wee Jay of course.