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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Scott Allan wouldn’t get on our bench with a fully fit squad. Stuart Armstrong can’t even get playing his preferred position in our team he’s always pushed to the left side of midfield so the chances of Scott Allan playing are slim and none. Also would far rather we give Henderson a chance to stake a claim this season. Brown, biton, Armstrong, johansen, commons, Henderson. 6 players that play in midfield that are better options than Scott Allan.. Striker, left back and centre half Celtic and forget about Scott Allan!
Vossen not on the list doesn’t surprise me. Very good striker, our scouts have no idea what a good striker looks like. They know what a good striker doesn’t look like, Balde, Pukki, Bangura, Rasmussen, Lassad, probably Scepovic as well.
Livibhoy
I cannot dispute if he can play a killer pass
I just cannot see who he would replace, or wherever he would fit in ?
Commons, Armstrong, Bitton and Stokes, can all play a player in
Stokes is a lazy player, but supremely talented when he puts his mind to it, plus score goals
Just using this as an example
I watched young Lindsay in our 21s he can play a pass, note under 21s, not fast approaching 24
For me rather give him a chance
Good discussion triggered though so thanks for raising the point :-))
Hail Hail
Ps- would have liked Gauld at Celtic Park
NatKnow
13:02 on
25 June, 2015
To paraphrase a popular modern comedian/polymath :
Definition of “countryside” : The widespread killing of Scottish journalists.
:-))
HH
ginger
12:36 on 25 June, 2015
Dooooooohhhhhhhh….did you read Paul’s article ……. :)
My CV is in the same folder Danny Wilsons it seems.
Cowiebhoy:
You’ve just had your daily fix…:)
Roastersfc…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Well I heard old Neil talk about us
Well I heard old Neil put us down
Well I hope Neil McCann will remember
A Celtic man don’t need him around anyhow !
Www .lynyrdskynyrd.csc
Lunchtime over…
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Problem is Paul, just as we have never been told what McCoist said, we have never had a credible explanation for Lennon’s apparently hasty exit.
One can spout confidentiality till one is blue or green in the face, but as payers of the piper, the fans are entitled to know.
Paul67
It sounds like the comprehensive and robust system it should be.
How there are no defenders on ‘the list’ or in ‘a folder’ on someones desk who is better than Efe Ambrose, available for the same sale price (circa £1m?) and wages is beyond me though!
……..it’s not on the list.
Sounds like a game show on a Saturday night.
I don’t mind McC(f)ann(y) et al all telling lies about Celtic.
It means they are hurting sooooooooooooooo bad.
JCGE!
On the subject of Scott Allan, would much prefer we took a punt on young McGinn at St Mirren.He reminds me of a young Lambert.Look how his career took off once he started training and playing with better players.
I’m going to avoid taking a week off work next year at this (transfer rumour) time ……. or try to avoid CQN……..yeez ur awe driving me nuts….hahahaha.
Could Dylan McGeough replace Calum McGregors place in the ‘squad’ and we allow young Calum to leave for nowt hence trimming the squad in an ego ergo kind of way??
judester
13:28 on 25 June, 2015
On the subject of Scott Allan, would much prefer we took a punt on young McGinn at St Mirren.
Totally agree, said so when Allan link surfaced. McGinn would be good cover for Brown, similar type of player
Paul….
Season tickets…”…way north of 30,000…”
Indications earlier on this site were sales of nearly 44,000…
Was this a CQN misleading comment and are there lessons to be learned?
Takingthemickeycsc ;-)
HH
Maybe if we got the finger out signed some players it would shut up laptop loyal,they seem to have found some idiot who thinks Warburton is the next Mouriniho,and will revolutionise scottish football,if he,s a genius why did Brentford sack him and why didn,t a proper team sign him rather than the comedy tribute act on glasgows south side
Afternoon.
Chris Jack is now quoting former colleagues of Warburton who make him sound like some sort of Messiah that will tranform Scottish football as a whole!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/billy-and-chris/
Enjoy the rest of the day!
oneofthe70percent
13:32 on
25 June, 2015
I much prefer it this way – the bigger the fall when reality hits them
(Although I do spare a sympathetic thought for their wives and girlfriends because they in turn hit them)
@oneofthe70percent
“Maybe if we got the finger out signed some players”
We’ve signed one already. How many more do we actually need? As long as the window is open there will be folk telling the board to sign more.
I see no need to go after anything outside of a striker and a replacement for Van Dijk.
“Warburton is the next Mouriniho,and will revolutionise scottish football”
You know that nothing will shut that lot up. You know who they work for.
Someone posted earlier that the 35 year old superstar the huns were signing has gone home without, err, signing.
With his record of injury they were probably offering a pay per game deal.
AW f**k, who cares.
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed on young John McGinn, still only 20 with loads of potential, can play across midfield, and could also be coached as cover for Izzy, as looks to have game intelligence, with work rate ?
Point on Scott Allan, at his age, he should be wanting permanent 1st team games, he will not get that with us in my view
Hail Hail
Paul67
I’m not convinced that what you say in Vossen is entirely true.
As you know I like to post when I have any snippets of transfer information which I believe to be accurate (Janko just yesterday) and many more in previous windows
My information is that Vossen and Halstenberg are very much on our list and 2 players that RD would like to have.
HH
Paul 67 …Woooooooft both barrels and mister Zimmerman
a blog like no other ………….
H.H.
Just a fan 13.31
When that 44,000 was posted on CQN ,I posted a few time his requesting the validity of the information .
Not one poster responded.
I put it in the file of MISLEADING PISH FROM CQN.
TT
This site is frequently used as a positive PR outlet by Celtic.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is extremely naive .
TT
justafan
13:31 on
25 June, 2015
North of 30k sold was on deadline day. So I suspect it’s well up since then.
I’d like us to sign young McGinn
If only to avoid him being the victim of more “pranks”
Tiny Tim
That must be a big file!
Mr 67 Celtic let agents know what type of player they are looking for and send dvds in. What a lot of rubbish so we don’t scout players,watch matches trying to identify players we ask agents for DVD. Seriously we have to believe this tripe.More like deal collapsed due to penny pinching.
Livibhoy on Allan from earlier….
the other is the somewhat lazy, languid Scott Allan who reminds me of Paddy McCourt minus the goals but who plays an amazing defence splitting pass with relative ease.
…………..
And the ready made laudatory fans’ anthem ‘Scott Alkan’s Fenian Army…..’ I’m sure he’d love that!!!
;-)
HH jamesgang
Alkan???
SicCSC
@lennon’s passion
We still scout players.
All clubs talk to agents when looking for players. Google Jorge Mendes. He is the first port of call for top clubs.
Some folk are desperate to stick the boot into their own club.
McGinn is a quality Scottish pro.
Like him a lot.
Could he step up a class?
The Lambert analogy is a thought provoking one.
HH jamesgang
Gary67
13:18 on
25 June, 2015
Vossen not on the list doesn’t surprise me. Very good striker, our scouts have no idea what a good striker looks like. They know what a good striker doesn’t look like, Balde, Pukki, Bangura, Rasmussen, Lassad, probably Scepovic as well.
Exactly what I was thinking.Not good news.However it is served up.
Scot Allan.Player of the year..Raved about by Hibs fans who watched him all season.
Any time I saw the boy he was outstanding.Lazy?.My @rse.Always looking for the ball,plenty of defensive work in his own half.
Why would we want anyone who can play killer passes?.No idea.Maybe we should ask Juventus.
If the Huns do get this boy,I will be raging.The outstanding Scottish player I have seen in years,but what do I know.I think Hooper is a good striker.H’mmph.
Like a Rolling Stone
Just moved into my top ten hits of all time, will never be able to listen to those words again without laughing at ‘Them’
Who does McGinn replace in the team?
He’s either a first team pick or a prospect.
Not for me.
No lookin’ fur a fight.