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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Like a Rolling Stone
Every time I hear it,its like heariing it for the first time,fantastic.
philbhoy
14:02 on 25 June, 2015
Who replaces Brown or Bitton in the middle if they are injured/suspended? Whoever we currently move in as cover is out of position (Mulgrew, Johanssen, Armstrong) so another player as cover for there makes sense.
Philbhoy
You’re too gorgeous to fight with.
Question for you. Questions.
How does our midfield look without Broonie?
Who in our midfield has steel?
We’ve been very lucky Broonie’s injuries have apparently settled but how many more years can he go 100% every game? (Same for izzie)
Could Young McGinn be groomed for that role?
HH jamesgang
If there is such a defined “list”, then whi flung the bung lists Celtic’s way, when the names Pukki, Balde, Lassad, were all churned up?
For those on CQN breaking up today for the school holidays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePFZ02Fynko
jamesgang
Your too big too fight with!
McGinn would be a prospect then?
If Brown was injured today would McGinn be a suitably experienced and accomplished (like Broony) replacement?
Or would he be a prospect to be “groomed in that role”.
Was watching a 30 min profile of Zidane with the wee mhan.
Desailly featured. He was like VVD I told jnr.
VVD could be world class if he’s lucky with(out) injuries,applies himself and doesn’t eat himself cos he thinks he’s chocolate!!!
HH jamesgang
Balde, Pukki, Bangura, Rasmussen, Lassad
The 5 Sorrowful Mysteries
What about McGregor?
Out on loan always a bad thing if you are a young Celt.
In spite of what the management told him I fear he is done for.
Paul67,
Cracking post – those in the MSM who you didn’t get a direct hit on took collateral damage, well done.
I am delighted with the Boyatta signing.We all know we need another striker,so I am not too happy with the latest soundbites coming from Celtic.Playing your cards close to your chest,should be a two way street.Tell the SMSM nothing.By that I mean nothing.
This talk of”The squad is fine as it is.If anyone comes up,we will have a look,but its not easy(circa,2012,2013,2014),if we dont sign anyone else,we are confident with what we have”is music to the hacks ears.
I thought we were trying to sell STs.Just what this sort of guff does to any people swithering,who knows.We are putting out info,it seems,not to attract punters.
I am not happy with what we have.We need reinforcements,especially up front.
Not too much to ask.I am not criticizing the looking around policy,only the talk going out to the hacks.
I agree with Livibhoy and other that Scott Allen would be a good addition to the squad. Looked to have that touch of class with his passing and even the way he pin-pointed the corner kicks. Worth taking a punt on.
If Vossen isn’t on the main list it means he doesn’t got the mathematical formula for recruitment or he does, we have scouted him and decided naw.
Our mathematical formula for a striker goes along the lines of
Goals scored * country or league weighting – weighted cost transfer fee /100000 – wages per annum /100000 + average distance ran in match *2+ some factor for age + assists – games injured in last season…
Higher the score the more likely it is he gets on the list.
timaloy29
13:55 on 25 June, 2015
One naive man
Dmitar Berbatov is a free agent……………………….all we need to get to the group stages IMHO
градушка градушка келтите са тук.
Tiny Tim,
Last years managerial fiasco is an example of This site inadvertently working for us
Philbhoy
If Brown was injured today would McGinn be a suitably experienced and accomplished (like Broony) replacement?
——-
At the moment, probably not.
In the future, possibly.
At present a Broonie-less team is significantly weaker prospect.
I am a big fan of Armstrong. Real potential to be a great captain. But his skillset doesn’t exactly match Broonie’s.
HH jamesgang
Messi’s agent has been seen posting a DVD sized package to an address in Glasgow. That’s all I’m saying.
Tiny Tim,
Well North of 30,000 could be 44,000.
HH.
We’re living in a Generation of Retained for consideration.
Prefer this version
https://youtu.be/dvXrwff2h64
;)
Danny Wilson never had a Mary’s prayer of playing for us
jamesgang
Agree, Broony would be a huge loss and might be irriplaceable (isthataword) if we lost him for any reason.
I’m hearing good report about Peter Grant at Falkirk.
He lacks a wee bit of pace but good in all other areas.
TT- it might be misleadin’ p1sh, but at least it’s our ole misleadin’ p1sh
DBBIA/TimgufferyCSC
I have the ex-Mayor of Brugges coming to my Barbeque tonight.He is my darts partner.Colourful guy.Used to be a Belgian International,played in a few World Championships,and was a director of Brugges in the past.
A few weeks ago he told me that the young Brugges CH,who he said is outstanding,had said he would join Celtic,if he had the chance.Last year of his contract,fee of around £2.5 million.Said he would find out more.He has just come back on Monday from Belgium.I will ask him about Vossen.
P,sst,you heard it here first,but you never saw me,RIGHT.
i just ignore the transfer rumours nowadays. most of them i havent heard of anyway so its not worth commenting on them individually anyway until I have seen them play.
As a Club strategy though I feel we should buy 1, maybe 2 good solid first team players at the transfer window. Guys who we would genuinely expect to be first team regulars week in and out. A single player every window who is currently better than the existing player(s)(The new signing probably fits that bill) Maybe 1 player on loan.
After a few transfer windows we should have purchased the core of a fairly good team. I know that not every signing will work out but even so….
For injury cover i would look to our youngsters, if they cant step in now and then as cover, then they probably shouldnt be there. Ideally our youngsters side should be playing in the lower leagues against older players and not testing themselves against other under 19s etc. They may be the best under 19s in the country but we need them to be better than that..
Celtic youngsters in the lower leagues vs the likes of Sevco would keep them motivated:-)
Keep sevco motivated I mean…
Summer fitba, might also help us get ready for the CL qualifying games and help us have a healthy bank balance to pay for a quality player once a year. Who knows, maybe a few quality players would bring some fhans thru the turnstiles into the 10,000 capacity standing section in the lower stand (jungle side)
Radical or what?
Philbhoy
Watched the cup final and I thought Peter Grant played well. Showed a lot of heart and his old man would have been proud.
What Celtic require under Deila are players who are comfortable on the ball and can pass the ball to death when required. We also need players who can play a defence splitting pace to our striker and can if required score goals. I’m not sure Peter fits that mould but I have seen him once properly in the cup final.
What we have learned in Europe is that not having possession of the ball is suicide. Ronny will create a team that hold the ball. Any player who is signed will be concerned with ball retention and will be able under all sorts of pressure.
LB
liviBhoy 14.40..
Peter Grant will be 50 this year so would be a big gamble,I am also not a great fan of bringing players back to the club,does not always work out well..few exceptions.
CowieBhoy
Just catching up on your comments and agree that fitba debate is healthy. 3 players I am really looking forward to seeing after a good pre-season under Ronny are GMS, Armstrong and Forrest. I think those 3 could be massive players for us this season.
LB
Pheersy
Top banter or is it bants with the young team these days?
Anyway for the benefit of doubt with anyone else I mean Peter Jr.
http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/player/peter-grant-2/
LB
Philbhoy
All I saw of young Peter Grant was versus ict in the highlights of the Final.
Looked good in the 5 mind I saw!
We mustn’t overlook young Henderson in all of this. I’d like to see him get a wee run.
HH jamesgang
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a Pointer man
Dontbrattbakkinanger
Ahhhhahahahaha
Classic.
LB
We see much disinformation and cynical behavior from agents and teams in the states during free agency and as our drafts approach.
For example, the NBA hosts its draft tonight and — suddenly — gossip appears questioning a top player’s work ethic. Someone has an interest in seeing this player’s stock fall.
I work in PR. My reputation, and that of my organization, depends on the reliability, quality, and newsworthiness of the information provided. If I deceive or oversell, my reputation suffers and gate keepers start to view my ideas skeptically. I lose the game.
Money changes everything of course, with agents willing to sell their souls for the (seemingly) well being of their clients. Jerry Maguire knew this (language NSFW)–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFrag8ll85w
Jamesgang
1357
If he turned out to be half the player Lambert was, we have got a star
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/1323584-manchester-uniteds-saidy-janko-visits-celtic-training-base-for-talks/
Apologies if posted :)
Phillbhoy
John McGinn is still only 20, ok 21 at end of this year :-)
I watched him with interest playing against Broonie last season, in first game at Celtic Park, he was the better player (in a straight head to head)
In 2nd game, he was holding his own until he got injured
One thing he would not let Broonie bully him, which I liked for someone so young
Only what I watched
I believe he is a very good prospect, and could fill in for Broonie right now for short spells ( would get in-consistency as expected)
I also believe he could cover Izzy, as pointed out earlier, game intelligence, very decent left footed player, works the line very well
Again from what I seen
And he’s one of us, which would help him settle in :-))
Hail Hail
Jamesgang
Very good point, also have young Liam, who can fill in for Broonie and Bitton :-)