Tom Rogic is the latest Celt to seek pastures new, with a £4m move to Qatar being mentioned in the papers.
He’ll be missed, but not that much. And if £4m goes into the bank, it will be seen as good business by the club who are quietly doing their best to make sure that amount of money going out and money coming in are as close as they possibly can be during these difficult times.
The mark of a player is the memories he leaves, and Rogic certainly did enough to earn more than a passing mention in the clubs history, but the reality is he wasn’t at the fitness level required to be a consistent achiever, and so he could probably best be described as a luxury player.
The other major first team player who left this summer, Jozo Simunovic also had a few injury and therefore consistency issues, which points to these decisions being made not on football ability, but on value for money, and when the money coming in is uncertain, then cuts have to be made.
Call it downsizing, or trimming the squad, but earlier this week Borussia Dortmund announced losses of 44m Euros, which they have blamed on Covid, and quite simply Celtic cannot afford to lose even half of that.
Though the figures cannot be compared to Celtic, as the German side have much higher income and expenditure, the signs are there that trouble is ahead, and it would be a foolish board who didn’t recognise it and act upon it.
There will be more leaving Celtic, which is probably not what Leigh Griffiths wants to hear on his 30th birthday, but as with Rogic, in the cold light of day, he’s not giving value for money.
Ferencvaros , a famous club in name and tradition, overcame Djurgarden 2-0 to book a visit to Glasgow next week for the second European qualifier.
They are also one of the few major clubs to play in green and white…
The fans have friendships with fans of Rapid Wien[19] and Panathinaikos, and as all three play in Green the alliance is nicknamed the “Green Brothers”. They also have friendly relations in Hungary with fans of Zalaegerszeg and in Poland with Śląsk Wrocław and Bałtyk Gdynia.
The majority of Ferencvárosi supporters have a strong connection with the fans of Scottish football club Hibernian, the supporters will gather on the last Saturday of March every year (as of 2015) to play a game of football together and go for drinks afterwards.
The Green Brothers seem to have missed someone, but then again, with Rapid Vienna involved, I think the monthly meetings of this particular club would turn into quite lively affairs of Celtic and Rapid fans were to be in the same building.
It’s a pity that we finally got to play Ferencvaros during the current pandemic, as their fans look like they could be fun…
…and their ground is among the most modern in Europe…
Though that pigeon looks like something to avoid when you’re eating a pie.
The road to the group stages and what will happen should we get there has changed again, after Lyon lost to ayern munich in last years semi final, and again Moravcik 67 has offered an update….
Lyon’s loss tonight confirms that, should we get there, Celtic would be a Pot 3 team in the Champions League group stage draw. It also means that Ajax now don’t need to qualify, which means that QR3 and the Playoff round need to be adjusted to ensure 4 champions qualify.
This will likely be done by giving both Olympiakos and Slavia Prague a free pass to the Playoff round. That would mean QR3 reduces from 12 to 10 teams as a result, with the 5 winners joining Olympiakos, Slavia and Salzburg in the Playoff round.
QR1 saw 3 seeded teams lose – Astana the highest profile, but also Dundalk and Dinamo Tbilisi. The lineup for QR2 is attached, with the Ki v Slovan Bratislava QR1 tie still to be played on Friday.
The draw for QR3 is on 31st August, so all 2nd round ties will be played before then. The Astana and Lyon losses mean that Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade are no longer potential opponents in QR3 – should we get there.
Projected opponents for QR3 – if all seeded teams win in QR2, are Qarabag Legia Warsaw Maccabi Tel-Aviv Molde Dynamo Brest But this might change, depending on what surprises QR2 throws up. And, of course, we have to win our own game.
Should we get by our jinx round of QR3 then the lineup of projected opponents for the playoff is as follows – again assuming that seeded teams always progress. Slavia Prague Ludogorets Young Boys Red Star Belgrade
Keep in mind that the playoff draw (on 1st Sep) is made before QR3 is played. That means any team projected to be unseeded in the playoff after QR2 completes could not then become seeded, regardless of what happens in QR3.
Doesn’t look easy, does it ?
Djurgarden sporting director Bosse Anderson said earlier this week he thought the draw was rigged to make sure seeded sides got a home tie…
“If you were even a little bit observant during the draw, you knew which ball was coming out and who would get a home tie. Yes, I knew which ball was which, so I was not surprised.
I hope he’s right.
Before that, however, Celtic travel to Dundee on Saturday to face the newly promoted Dundee United, and with the champions currently just about holding on to a top six place, a win is essential.
Shane Duffy , apparently now all sorted and happy to come to Celtic, won’t make his debut, but it will be intersting to see of Kris ajer and Jeremie Frimpong start the game.
Something else to watch out for will be the presence..or absence of Karamoke Dembele, who we hear has asked for a move.
And if you spot Leigh Griffiths talking to any of the Dundee United staff, we might even get a clue as to who will replace Lawrence Shankland in their line up.
Shankland, along with Lyndon Dykes of Livingston, touted for a move to ibrox. Dykes will earn his club £2m with his move to QPR , after the ibrox club offered a mere £600,000, which would be paid weekly as long as Livingston sent a woman round after tea on Fridays to collect the cash.
You’ll note the media haven’t followed the Shankland to “rangers ” story, but they have mentioned the interest from Guincamp, who may well put in a bid.
The media have, however, mentioned a possible £10m bid for Ryan Kent, the Ibrox winger who surprised everyone by not iving up to his £7m price tag last year, which makes him second only to Oddsone Edoaurd in the most expensive player stakes in Scotland.
However, that price tag comes with the harsh reality that someday you will have to pay it, and as no one for Leeds was available for comment on the rumour, we can assume that Kent is now up for sale because the cash strapped ibrox board don’t have the money to pay the next instalment on him, and at least a sale of the player would hide that.
Imagine the embarrassment if “rangers ” were to have a player repossessed due to non payment…..
I’m sorry, thats my spelling again. Hilarity. Not embarrassment.
It might just be the tipping point for a fanbase already outraged at their descent into a bargain basement club, withe the new strips causing alarm over quality, service and the fact that when they wear it, people point and laugh at them in the street.
As usual, though, it’s all Celtic’s fault…. and their supporters, of course..
Year after year we say this, but they really are not going to learn, and every time one set of shysters bends them over a table there’s a queue of others waiting for their turn.
It’s not just the strips, the full range of merchandising appears to be , well, shite….
Purchased this on Friday:
RFC COTTON LS TEE – NAVY/WHITE; RFC COTTON SWEATER – NAVY/WHITE; RFC COTTON HOODY – NAVY/WHITE.
I was £160 for that lot.
However, I’ve just received them, and I’m disgusted with the lack of quality.
On the sweater, the Castore words are missing letters and the Castore logo isn’t straight.
The RFC crest is also miles off being straight.
The t-shirt and hoodie are OK on this front, but the quality in general leaves a lot to be desired.
Are normal Castore items made in India like this cheap shit?
And when I say cheap shit, I mean the quality – not the prices, which are anything but cheap.
I’m so disgusted with the poor quality of the sweater that I’m returning all three.
I’ve got the home and away shirt, but these will be my last Castore purchases unless the item is embroidered.
Gutted not to be able to support my club.
He could always just buy an ordinary hoodie and tell everyone its the same one.
I had a quick look on Twitter (which I’m not on, thankfully), and if you search for Castore, it’s full of Rangers fans highlighting the poor quality of items, if they actually receive them that is.
This must be doing untold damage to the Castore brand.
A company who prides itself on being premium and the manufacturer of the world’s highest quality sportswear are currently a laughing stock.
If I was involved with Castore, I’d be sorting this as a matter of urgency before the entire brand is irreparably damaged.
They are a lot of very unhappy vocal Rangers fans out there just now…
Wait till Kent gets repossessed….Morelos and Tavernier are sold and Gerrard fucks off.
Then again, they would be free to make a move for the dream team of Neil McCann and Alex Rae….
2020 has been a terrible year, from wildfires to pandemics and world wide economic collapse.
If it wasn’t for the efforts of all those involved at Ibrox I don;t know how I’d face each day.
Yesterday, we had this….
It does look like Albian hasn’t got a clue what Neil is saying. “I see his lips move, I’ve been told it’s English, but I only understand every 3 words.”
Today
Will the pish taking ever stop with the newco? Let’s hope not.
“When your club’s 8 years old and your kits full of holes that’s Castore”
In years down the line they’ll be singing about the ‘trash my father wore’.
Caption : ‘Angry Rangers* supporters besiege Castore Head Office demanding refunds for ‘quality goods’.
“I write my letters but the letters keep coming back “
Caption
Police assist man in helping to find the missing letters of his c sto e top
Can you describe the stolen door panel sir
Caption………
Happy go lucky PC shows her delight at making an Etims caption competition.
Ye only win if you take Ralph oot for a guniness!
Caption…
Police called to Chris Martin’s house after a disturbance . One officer isn’t best pleased as he sings a medley of, in my place , yellow and God put a smile on your face…
Caption – Will you please use commers, I have na heard of half the teams and canna ken where they start and finish!
Caption
Final attempt by Lille to sign the Buffalo
Or so the Daily Wanker believes!
Sorry to see big Tom go, wonder Whois next?
The Castore Oil shambles, as usual none of the raging by the bears about this quality product appears in the media, Jabba working overtime. Kent another story by the media to ensure the zombies stay in line
Caption: My tits are sweating so much in this Castore jacket they look like Right Said Fred at a rave.
“Imagine the embarrassment if “rangers ” were to have a player repossessed due to non payment…..”
That wouldn’t be a viable option.
Ferencvaros play in green and white but don’t make it easy for themselves to be liked given the racist element among their support (all the rage in Hungary apparently). I’m surprised that Hibs fans would want to have anything to do with them.
On Rogic, I’ll be sorry to see him go but, at the same time, he has been drifting away from the first team picture for quite a long time now. I still liked the idea of having him on the bench as an impact sub but current events are such that now is probably a good moment for him to seek pastures new. A player with a superb natural talent for dribbling his way out of tight situations, providing killer passes and scoring spectacular and vital goals, it seems as if he’ll never overcome his fitness issues. When he does leave, he’ll go with our very best wishes.
“He’ll be missed, but not that much. And if £4m goes into the bank, it will be seen as good business by the club who are quietly doing their best to make sure that amount of money going out and money coming in are as close as they possibly can be during these difficult times”
You have to wonder what the hell was the point of accruing nearly £50m, not use it on signings and then downsize.
We have been downsizing our wage bill since last summer.
The money kept in the bank should take the hit during these time. Downsizing should not be the immediate priority, particularly as one season of CL football will comfortably see us through.
I think you will find that a fair dose of that £50M has evaporated simply keeping the lights on and paying the wages. All clubs have seen their income tanked during this pandemic. We are no different. Across the city they have offloaded 13 players from their squad and are actively seeking to offload Jordan Jones. So far I doubt if they have raised more than £2.5M. They have spent twice that on a couple of strikers and as usual are winging it into the season on a hope and a prayer. We will definitely be around at the end of the season. If they are, it is either due to financial chicanery or their prayer being answered.
Caption: Police raid Castore’s factory after a tip-off about a huge stash of Es.
Caption.
Police look on as Sherif’s Officer serves Repossession Writ on Glasgow southside football club.
That’s a house for sale in Nottingham
Sad if Rogic leaves with little or no chance for supporters to say thanks for the joy he has given us.
Caption: Live update on Leighs 30th Birthday celebrations.
Mr Kent, Mr Kent , I know you’re in there……
This is the Bailiffs , Mr Kent….
We have a warrant for your repossession , you need to go back to Liverpool….
Our squad is without doubt the weakest it has been since the 9 in a row began.
Goalkeepers defence midfield and attack we have lost lots of fine players to be replaced by mediocre. A scouting network which in my opinion is a shambles. Not helped by the penny pinching Peter.
John Park knew a player or 2 had a great scouting network in place,but we went to laptop scouts.
The latest recruit Ajeti looks overweight and a bit of a moaning faced git at first look. He may come good heres hoping but I’ve not seen a more unfit player make his debut.
Tonev to me would have been the better option.
Strachan would have worked with him and knew his qualities so would the club not take that on board.?
Add in the rest of the disasters Bolingoli Shved Bayo etc etc and something is seriously wrong.
As we trim the budget maybe we should just hold on to the players who we know can make a difference instead of the unknown.
4 million for Rogic many think its good business I just think its another fine player whom we can’t replace with the mediocre recruitment policy we have. Give me Tom any day on a match thats heading for a draw and he gets the ball 25 yards out 4 million can’t buy you that. HH
Caption: Scouse cops ‘Mr Kent! We are here to repossess you.’
Caption: ” I only said Jehovah “
Some great laughs in there today, which certainly made me chuckle! “Though that pigeon looks like something to avoid when you’re eating a pie”! MY sense of humour, aye, Ralph Malph….yiv gotta luv ‘im so ye dae! Well done Ralph and thanks.
I’d agree big tam maybe borderline luxury player. I’d also agree with the much lambasted frank MacAvennies appraisal that he was maybe dragged too early in games and he maybe more of a mainstay if he wasn’t . Guys like rogic who plied his trade in unfancied places like Australia are looked upon differently than those brought in from Europe. He’s not quite the unfit player like the equally brilliant paddy McCourt another guy not quite given the chance behind less talented but more athletic guys. It is what it is in the modern game you need to do the dirty work and do the hard yards. I think rogic is too young for Qatar and should set his sights a bit higher. I know if Rodgers was still around we wouldn’t be having this discussion and lenny being the pragmatist he sees rogic as a luxury player. Fair enough we have to back the manager fully. Sad to see class players like rogic go. It’s a new dawn and we must back lenny in whatever he deems fit for the best for the club. Turnbull signing would be a good one not sure about journeyman like Duffy though he may turn out to be a gem. Hail fucking hail to the new dawn. In lenny we trust. 10 in a row is a must
Caption: After being on loan at Nottingham Forrest for a few months Boli goes AWOL…..
Thanks for win bud!
“He more than filled the Jersey”
Maybe that’s the problem.
Caption: “That’ll do, Pig”
sevconians don`t mince, they stride in their school uniform.
sevco P.C. Goody FC.
Leigh! Leigh? We know you’re in there… we can hear you all sing happy birthday!!
Put yer helmet on, your goin through the headboard
CAPTION
Police accompany Trading Standards Officer to Castore HQ to seize a delivery from Marmaris.
Brothers, Declan and Brendan
O’ Beahon were nowhere to be seen.
Lenny is keeping Griff. Good to see hes nowhere near as dumb as some of the numpties on here.