One small compensation for Martin O’Neill is that Daizen Maeda will not have his usual post-international break recuperation requirement following in a fortnight. Japan take on Scotland at Hampden tomorrow before facing England at Wembley a week later. You get the feeling the player could benefit from getting away from Celtic business for a while, without the costs associated with a 36 hour journey.
It is an underappreciated fact how important Japanese football has been to Celtic over the last five years. Without Kyogo, Daizen and Reo Hatate, our trophy count would be less (perhaps significantly) and our transfer spend would be significantly higher. We went all in on Japan for a while, then, after diminishing returns, lost faith in the strategy. Recent scattergun approaches have been incoherent.
The premise that took us to Japan still stands. It is a fertile and under-scouted territory. We should be back in earnest.
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Paul67 et al
Ange Postecoglu had first hand experience of Japanese football.
Er….that’s it
NewBallsCSC
TBB much earlier – really good stuff.
Respect.
If I may add 1 further ingredient to your mix
Energy.
Against an almost constant back drop of negativity and armchair quarterbacking from multiple angles …
… someone smart has to have the focus, zeal AND autonomy to get big blocks (not necessarily permanent ones) put in place quickly.
(JFDI and to hell with the cheap seats)
No age discrimination intended but I can’t see any of our aged 70-somethings having the necessary …
Hi Ange ,
You got experience of the J – League but we’re going to completely ignore the players you’ve recommended and we’re having Kyogo Maeda and Hatate
Love Mark ❤️
Motherwell’s Callum Slattery has been given a 4 match ban (2 suspended) for simulating being slapped on the coupon.
That’s a a right dull yin for Motherwell, and something of a sticky precedent to set.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cre187ee878o
EmeraldBee
Agree with your comments re Dom….he was probably wrong for the board but right for our club….we will never know.
Wouldn’t it be just like Celtic “ fairy tale club ”©️Billy McNeill, to win all seven games and a new Albert Kidd appears to smite the diets and full fat zombies with the same blow?
PLC Board looking for that someone special, that extraordinary leader, keep the quiet seats under control…….Celtics messiah
https://youtu.be/4HB7zqP9QNo
KT and Naka renew their friendship.
https://x.com/i/status/2037533647407042928
HH
I know absolutely no more than the next ghuy about this but… my sense is/was that Dom McKay was punted over the McCarthy signing, or at least, for not recognising that signing a 30 year old on the downswing of his career with a doubtful fitness record, was not part of the club’s strategy, and cracking on regardless.
It’s an odd one because he was a highly credible candidate so far as his public profile is concerned.
Perhaps it took him a month or two to realise the working constraints weren’t for him and he skyed it asap. Unless he spills the beans we’ll never know.
Also worth noting that James McCarthy has made just 12 more league appearances for Celtic than I have.
ziggydoc1 on 27th March 2026 4:46 pm
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 27th March 2026 11:31 am
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c0krjdxygjet
Came across a video last night of the 1982 Brazil Team.
Arguably the best team to not win the World Cup ever
Absolutely sensational to watch.
I can still recall the shock of them losing 3-2 to Italy (who went on to win their semi-final, then final comfortably)
Fast forward 44 years … and the current Brazilian striker … following in the footsteps of, among others …
Pele, Jairzinho, Zico, Careca, Romario, Ronaldo and Neymar …
… plays for Brentford !
____
Incredible isn’t it. Crazy money in England making it so much harder for us and others. Oh for that bubble to burst.
That was an incredible Brazil team. Eder, Zico, Socrates… Must be the best Brazilian team, behind the 1970 magicians. Remember the 4-1 games when David Narey (always meant to be signing for us) scored a screamer. Then they took Scotland apart.
Brazil haven’t always played the beautiful game. My memory of Scotland playing them in 1974, is being practically kicked off the park.
I don’t get Paul’s statement about cost associated with players’ travels on international duty (36 Hours). That’s the national associations, surely?
TBB, take your point re. McCarthy – that’s why I mentioned him originally.
But then, if you are going to get punted at Celtic for the poor quality of the signings you recommend or endorse?
Ave Ave
Ziggydoc
I don’t get Paul’s statement about cost associated with players’ travels on international duty (36 Hours). That’s the national associations, surely?
You would be right Ziggy,I was going to suggest if a player is carrying an injury the long flight may be a problem if one of our Japan players has niggle.
I then realised Japan are playing us and England.Doh! So no long flights
HH
And Cruyff Holland ’74 were best team never to win world cup imo :-)))
HH
Johan Cruyff was a 20 a day 🚬 man
The Battered Bunnet on 27th March 2026 2:10 pm
CCB – I know what you mean but it’s complex from the perspective of the different types of operations and revenue streams. Most businesses have one or two revenue streams, generally related or adjacent. We have venue and box office, media, sponsorship & commercial, merchandising, catering and digital.
++++++++++++++++++
Not to mention the impact on football earnings from player trading.
The thing about that is amortisation plays a key role. I get the arithmetic of it but to see how it works in practice I put these questions to ChatGpt leading with:
The impact of the effect of amortisation on football player trading.
1. Does signing players out of contract mean no amortisation costs over length of contract?
2. What is the annual cost of
a) A player signed for £15m over 5 years at £40k a week?
b) A player out of contract signed on £40k a week contract?
c) a player developed by his club given a £20k a week and 5 year contract?
d) a player signed for further development from another club for £4m paid £20k a week?
e) after 3 years what would the players in each category have to be sold for to produce a profit that can be included in football earnings under UEFA FSR Squad Cost Ratio calculations?
———————–
Before I set out the answers I got this advice from AI on raising unwelcome views on social media.
——————-
Social platforms reward certainty, simplicity, and emotion, while what you’re explaining is nuanced, counter-intuitive, and a bit uncomfortable.
That’s always going to be a hard sell.
The trick isn’t just what you say — it’s how you package it so it can survive that environment.
What you’re up against on social media:
People prefer simple stories (“just spend more”)
Accounting feels like excuses or spin
Short attention spans kill detailed arguments
Strong opinions get more traction than careful reasoning
So if you lead with a full explanation, you often lose them before they even start.
What tends to work better
1. Lead with a punch, not a lecture
Start with something that challenges:
“Without player sales, Celtic are nearer UEFA’s spending limit.”
That creates tension — people lean in.
2. Then give one simple example
“We buy a player for £15m on a 5-year deal — that’s £3m a year in the accounts.
After 3 years, we’ve ‘used up’ £9m, so £6m is left.
Sell him for £10m and the accounts show a £4m profit — instantly.”
Then deliver the punch:
“Costs are spread. Profits are immediate.”
—————————
As a consequence I will hold off setting out the AI exchanges if the information provided is dismissed beforehand because:
AI is fallible
I’m a Happy Clapper defending the Board
FSR is irrelevant
I will take the line where ignorance is bliss it is indeed folly to be wise.
However if anyone indicates interest in how the business of football works in reality, I will use the AI responses to my questions to try explain over separate comments how things work in general and the consequences for Celtic in particular.
This is not a justification for failures but an aid to understanding where improvement is needed.
Food for thought.
Evening all.
Just spent this afternoon with Celtic minded friends in The Old Ship Bank.
A fantastic few hours, especially that our BIG JIMMY felt fit enough to join in, great to see the big fella back, his jokes are still terrible.
A few hours of Celtic related topics discussed, all views respected.
BRRB turns 68yrs old tomorrow.
Happy birthday legend.
Tiger Woods involved in car crash in Florida
TBB,
Your thinking on Dominic might be slightly off regards the signing of Mc Carthy.As we have seen ssince,sometimes the Irish moustache has a personal say in OKing signings,even ordering them.I have a feeling this was another one of his senior moments.
Maybe the reason Dom quit,and not vice versa.
Whether the market is Japan, England, Scotland, Scandinavia or elsewhere, the absolute rule we must work to going forward is that the player is good enough for the first team from the off. Other than Ajer who was 16, we haven’t taken a “project” and developed them into a first team mainstay before selling on for decent money. All of our big sales (aside Ajer and KT) arrived at the Club, bossed it from the off and then moved on. All of our projects basically contribute very little and cost us money (even if we make the fee back, we’ve chucked wages away).
The Battered Bunnet at 1219….what a brilliant post
An Dun 1222….good point but I would say that Inamura will prove us all wrong.
Never ever write off a professional footballer
Tangbhoy….I think it WILLl be fixed in one window.
If we were skint and with no players to sell and guys on wages that they couldn’t get elsewhere then I’d agree with you.
BSR@ 601pm…..so was Henrik and most of our Scandinavian players.
Vialli and Socrates were about 60 per day but they never played for us.
Last Post tonight (thank god says ye)
Great seeing Naka n KT together today.
An T @ 5:44pm
Fair shout.
They were a team
About Dominic McKay, discussion earlier.
I was told that his dismissal came after he was told (by whom I don’t know) that the budget in the relevant window was spent, but went through with the Juranovic signing regardless.
Laxalt @ 8.37
Why did I not know that about The King of Kings.
p.s. Wee Greg was 5 times the left back you were 👍
Fieldofdrams – what a terrible decision signing Juranovic was eh? Great 18 months and trebled our money on him!
Dominic McKay was brought in one door, as Peter Lawwwell walked out another door after the PLC’s inside job to throw 10 in a row under the bus for old firm reasons.
Celtic fans were not going to renew season tickets if PL was still inside the bulding.
So when the season tickets sold out, PL came into the building through another door with a new job.
And just as PL appeared, DM developed unexplained issues and had to leave the club immediately. lol
And Celtic season ticket holders were AGAIN left holding the old firm version of “Rosemary’s Baby” or as a sharpened cynic would opine: “Celtic season ticket holders are the biggest mugs in the history of Celtic FC.”
And the Cynic would then be smeared as a troll and witch hunted and burned alive at the CQN version of the Gallows!”
Sad are the homes….
@ProudSocialist
Marandi: “Your regime is aiding the US in carpet bombing our country. And as it does you make false accusations against Iran to legitimize the aggression against us & that makes you complicit in war crimes.”
UK reporter: “Me personally?”
Marandi: “Yes you’re a propagandist.” 🔥
https://xcancel.com/ProudSocialist/status/2037226549179486608#m
Complicit LBC’s lying snake-like Propagandist handed her lying erchie on a plate.
Any Celtic supporter who believes a single word from mainstream media is a fool who is putting themselves and their friends and families lives in serious danger.
Please God open the sleeping eyes of the innocent Tims.
Prof Marandi was sent by God CSC
DUI for Tiger Woods.
BSR@909pm….I’m a better player but he has the heart and desire.
I have better hair.
Looks like Tiger Woods is gonna need a new driver…..
Looks like Tiger overturned his Range Rover after colliding with the vehicle in front of him…
Ye gotta roll with it……
Just back in from a great wee night in the sports bar at Celtic Park.
Mouldy67,the road to Lisbon then Milan cyclist had a race night organised with monies going to the Celtic foundation.
The night was compered by BRTH with Tom Boyd in company to get bids for paintings and art,golf days and days out in Celtic park.We were one table,there was 24.final race our auction horse won the big race with all at our table makin £50 out of that 1 race,👍nice boost as the big pot for foundation was due to the us and the other 7 horses bids.Will inform blog of final rally raised.
Once again @Mouldy67 take a bow.👏👏
Hail Hail
Vatican Media Live
https://www.youtube.com/live/03pYP2Nmreo?si=qhzlMxsTJ9D_t0ha
Ave Ave
Post Scriptum
Sir Paul McCartney & Wings – Give Ireland Back To The Irish (ICA Rehearsal 1972)
https://youtu.be/JQAPZ4KBYyo?si=ixeW4JQsPt9nhSXg
Jings, it’s quiet round here this morning.