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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Fee = Efe
canamalar
17:34 on 25 June, 2015
jg,
Completely disagree on “obvious lack of confidence” else he would not put himself in the firing line every time he takes to the field.
Lapses in concentration at worst something most player are guilty of.
———
Ok mhate. We agree to differ. You can’t be right a the time. And this is one such occasion!!!
;-)
Shooorly my other point about him, that he’d do anything asked of him for the club, explains why he does put himself in confidence-sapping firing line when asked to do so?
I can feel the mixed emotions from the crowd that are directed towards Efe. Some is positive. Some is actually kinda sweet almost. Others are impatient and waiting to be proved right in terms of the next mistake.
I like Efe the person more than Efe the player.
He can have bombscare moments.
He’s neither as good or as bad as some make out – IMHO.
HH jamesgang
SoT,
Even when there’s a c in front of it ?
theoriginalsadiesbhoy
The Ross County game on 1st August has indeed been changed to 12:45 K.O.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
jg,
As I said to trad…,
I’ll go with the manager on this, I’m sure he’ll be on the phone for your opinion soon :)
chairbhoy
Yip. that was the mistake that started the bombscare label.
Efe probably knew himself he’d he get the full wrath of Timdoom when Sammi upped sticks.
Tommy Callaghan csc
Paul67 et al
Would rather a 17.30 kick-off on a summer Saturday than a 12.45 though I appreciate either can cause difficulties for travelling fans. Turns my stomach to think we are creating a backdrop for the likes of Jim White and Neil McCann, both of whom should be charged under the ‘being offensive at football Act’. Disgraceful, but no doubt the template for the rest of the season.
skynomorecsc
bsr,
I did enjoy the scramble to find the new whipping bhoy when Sammi left, many were lost without him :oD)))
Sky cannot show games at 3pm on a Saturday
We will be Unfurling the Champions Flag :-))))
hence Sky will show
Sure I read Sky / BT can only show 4 Celtic Home games on television ?, so that’s 1 down
As many have pointed out, stay in the Champions League and we should keep our Saturday games
Hail Hail
Canamalar
17:28 on
25 June, 2015
Trad…,
As you told someone earlier, that’s your opinion,
Contrary to your previous statement there is not enough evidence to prove your opinion is anything other than your opinion, there may be a few who support your opinion but apparently the manager supports my opinion, I prefer the managers expertise to your opinion if that’s ok.
========
And yet, as you correctly pointed out, he’s not a regular starter under the manager. I think he leans more toward my opinion than yours.
Up Periscope
Lashing in gridlocked Glasgow City Centre
TheSmellofSummerRain csc
cowiebhoy,
It’s a spoiler, they won’t show the flag unfurling but they will make sure people are pushed to get there on time and plans are changed.
PAUL67
Like a Rolling Stone is one of the great GIRUY songs,so a very apt choice for McCann
‘a reporter, suggesting that the song adopted a harsh perspective on a girl, asked Dylan, “Do you want to change their lives? Or do you want to point out to them the error of their ways?”, Dylan replied while laughing, “I want to needle them.”
Having said that,McCann is a dangerous wee ratbag to have outside the tent pissing in. We saw last season how often he trashed Celtic and our players.
I’m not suggesting,btw,that we get him inside the tent instead. I’d prefer us just to cut his knob off and ram it doon his gub. But heyho…
Good Evening.
A short sequel to this morning’s blog.
It is called ‘Billy and Chris [Part 2]’ so you can probably guess what the first part was called!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/billy-and-chris-part-2/
Have a good evening!
Trad..,
I don’t see how you can claim that, your opinion is to get rid, I don’t think that’s the managers opinion, is it ?
Interesting Everton signed Winger, Gerard Deulofeu from Barca, Aiden’s replacement?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
IF (and its a big if), Efe has a confidence issue, it ain’t gonna be helped by the Ballon D’Or chant
I, like many people on here, love the guy. And feel sorry for him when the chanting starts.
Incidentally, I have an aunt Effe, so called coz she swears like all the time. I love her too.
HH
Evening Timland from a hot hun free mountain valley.
I would have Efe in the squad any day, watched some of the EPL Cb’s, many are no a patch on Efe.
But some just need to bitch.
HH
canamalar
RD often share some salt herrings and skol and shoot the footie breeze!
Find it mildly hard to understand how you now seem to be implying I’m an Efe bombscare-ista when I’m actually towards the other end of the spectrum of views.
Ho hum.
I’m away out for a bit so any delay in replying shouldn’t be taken as rudeness or flouncing!
;-)
HH jamesgang
I love Efe. Just my opinion.
Efe is prone to to lapses but he’s not the only one who makes mistakes, it’s just his are highlighted more often. A big part of this is the consistent media sniping of his abilities. They did likewise with Sammy & needed another target once he left. He was the perfect fit.
For me Efe’s good points outweigh his bad ones & he’s had many more positive games than negative ones. Besides can think of at least three we should be looking to move on before him.
HH!
Good to see football being discussed on the blog again!
Two things I would like the club to do:
Tell us how many season tickets have been sold.What they are campaigning for to replace the existing TV deals when they expire.
On the transfer front I agree that the squad size needs reduced. I expect Ronny will be trying to loan out a lot of players if buyers cannot be found. Some stability is also required and the team spirit so evident towards the end of last season will really allow the team to flourish.
jg,
It was the “obvious lack of confidence” comment
canamalar
Perhaps my comment that I like him more as a person than a player gave you the wrong impression?
Love the big mhan to bits as a person.
Think he’s a pretty good player.
ClarificationCSC
HH jamesgang
Lennybhoy, what’s interesting aboot Everton ( apologies ToffeeTim)
Nae interest :-))
THE CLUMPANY
I know you’re mining in a rich seam,but you don’t half come up wi some nuggets!
Co-investor,PMSL.
Mike in Toronto ..
Good summary.
Personally Efe doesn’t cut the mustard for me. That said, I don’t see him being sold. Efe is needed as cover whether at centre back or right back, and for that reason will be kept.
Ronny has referenced a couple of times the squad needs trimmed…. Therefore the likely cuts I see could be :
Boeriggter, Calum McGregor , Balde, Frtjohhnson,
And of those less obvious, I genuinely see Adam Matthews being sold 1.7million or there a bouts, and Commons being gradually phased out of the starting 11.
Dylan McGeough, I’m not sure about…. Ronny possibly see’s him as cover for Broony or Bitton.
And an interesting one is Rogic…. I think if Rogic shows up well in preseason, we will see him loaned out as opposed to sold. And some may see that as a strange move, but Ronny knows his fitness science, and regardless of whether Rogic looks sharp in pre season, Ronny will no doubt understand that he is still some way short of match fitness to be an auto starter in Celtics first 11. If he’s worth keeping, he’ll be loaned out to gain matches and match fitness.
Any other fixtures changed? I haven’t booked flights for August 15 yet as I fear the match will be put back until the Sunday.
FWIW,I hope Efe sticks around. I also hope he improves his concentration.
It is that which holds him back,I believe.
canamalar
Mhate – I’m 10 rows from pitch side.
I swear I can sense it from there and I hate to see it. Cos I feel for the big guy and cos it can create a vicious circle in how he plays.
I guess I’m really aware of it cos I know from my humble amateur days on a sports field how much of a difference my confidence levels made to my performance. And I see it in my 10 year old all over again.
HH jamesgang
ALMORE
Doesn’t look like any others have been affected.
Yet.
http://www.celticfc.net/fixtures
cowiebhoy
What about Aiden returning and VVD going the other way plus cash…that not interesting…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
MiT
Don’t think you sly wee rabbit punch went unnoticed earlier.
You’ll not get off Scot(t) free my Bhoy!
Bobbio – concentration. Agree.
Right. Laters!
HH jamesgang
Canamalar
18:11 on
25 June, 2015
Trad..,
I don’t see how you can claim that, your opinion is to get rid, I don’t think that’s the managers opinion, is it ?
=======
My opinion is that it would be best for the club to have someone there in Efes place in the squad who is pushing to become a regular starter.
I’d say Ronny values his versatility but the fact he is not first choice and the need was there to sign Denayer and Boyata and most probably Saidy Janko gives us some more insight into Ronny thinking.
HH
Now that’s not what you said the first time :-)))
like Sammi, Efe Ambrose separates the Green Huns form the real Tims.
The fact that he’s one of the best athlete’s we’ve got won’t be lost on Ronny Deila.
Use him in front of a backline for added protection, especially in Europe, take last-man responsibility from him and allow him to go up for every corner/high free kick and he’ll deliver.
Neil McCann- hahahahahaha. Ragin’ wee deluded Hun. Knock him back at the Paradise door.
McCann?
Why is it that these wee nyaff huns hiv all got rat faces? Think Billy Davies.
cowiebhoy
I like to be cryptic…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!