Scotland will play two games in November, against England and Ireland, and I’ve just found out its fifty two quid a ticket! Now, I’m not sure how to blame ronny deila for this one, so we’ll have to have a go at the SFA for this one.
International football, Scotland v England. They’re not even countries. One stopped the other from being one a couple of weeks ago, and i just dare them to sing Flower of Scotland. That flower died when some people forgot to water in September, probably because they were afraid the water bill would go up.
Water is probably the only thing Scotland has more of than oil, with national pride coming a ways behind it on the list.
So, no, I’m not paying fifty two quid to watch a country that only comes to life on the football pitch. You have no idea how many people down here, where I do missionary work and attempt to improve the national average IQ via selective breeding, happily rang or texted me to welcome me to the UK.
And it put the knackers on my new business venture in Carlisle;
Elsewhere, theres a new Ghostbusters film coming out-featuring three hilarious women in the lead roles. Look, I can believe in ghosts, but thats pushing the realms of fiction too far.
Now, Celtic may be sixth in the scottish League, but when it comes to balancing the books, they are among the best in europe, well, according to a recent study, anyway, reported in the Herald;
The independent study by City analysts, which is geared towards investors, shows Scottish champions Celtic topping a league of publicly-listed European clubs for financial standing and stability while cross-Glasgow rivals Rangers are ranked bottom.
When the 17-team table is extended to include some of the Continent’s most successful privately-run clubs, Celtic are third of 44, while Rangers are in 31st place.
Topping the 44-team financial health league are Dutch champions Ajax, followed by London club Arsenal.
At the other end are French side Lens, with Inter Milan second-last, with the club’s financial structure and ownership model to blame.
Tapping into the surge in foreign ownership and global appeal of football, the report, by US-based markets and risk specialists McGraw Hill Financial, pulls together what it describes as a “virtual Credit Football League”.
One key warning is on-field success being no gauge of a club’s creditworthiness, with the report adding: “There is no sure thing in sports. Deteriorating match performance combined with economic struggles and financial concerns could sink a corporation (or a football club). An example of such a case is in Rangers International Football.”
The positioning of both Glasgow clubs reflects their fortunes in the past few years, with Rangers playing in the lower divisions following their liquidation in 2012 and beset by boardroom turbulence since, while Celtic have enjoyed a number of relatively successful European campaigns and sold a number of players.
The report authors assessed how the equity markets react to the match performance of the 17 publicly-listed football clubs through stock price movements and built a picture of how the market perceives a club’s credit.Of the 17, it claimed, Celtic were the least likely to default and their “status as perennial title contenders and their recent success in winning the Scottish Premier League for the last three seasons has apparently led to a positive market sentiment”.
All this is done to allow investors a bit of a heads up on potential money spinning opportunities. Does that mean Celtic are being fattened up for the market ?
It would certainly explain the somewhat prudent fiscal policy undertaken by the board.
Across the city, the paper comments on the plight of Second Rangers, simultaneously, of course, neglecting to mention their new club status;
“The credit score results come as no surprise in light of recent events surrounding the Glasgow club’s. Despite the absence of the Old Firm fixture in recent seasons Celtic have continued to demonstrate financial stability and low debt.
There is no guarantee of top flight football for Rangers next season, a high cost base to service and rising debt leaves them in a very unenviable position to their great rivals.”
He added that the Ibrox club needed a return to the SPFL and a flood of home-grown talent.
Celtic and Rangers were unavailable for comment.
Well, Rangers are unavailable full stop for comments, unless we all join hands round a table with a decent medium.
To celebrate this newly discovered wealth, theres a sale at the club shop!
Does that also include the clubs ambition?
Neil Lennon, surprisingly still out of work since his fallout with Celtic, has applied for the Bolton job. Presumably to get his feet back on the ladder and his name back in the papers.
We were told he was fired, largely because he was viewed as a troublemaker. Does that explain why he hasn’t found work yet ? Is he on a blacklist ?
More evidence of an impasse at Celtic pre summer came when Johann Mjallby-also without a job-said
“I keep in regular contact with Neil.
“Given the choice, I would rather work with Neil again, so I will at least wait until he gets a new job.”
The writing was certainly on the wall, all we need to know is who put it there, and why.
Another Swede, Mo Bangura, who didn’t quite make it at Celtic, is off to resurrect his career in Iran, proving that anyone who can kick a ball and run a bit will get a job somewhere.
And Bangura as well.
The crisis at Second Rangers continues, with the news that Mike Ashley demanded ownership of the badge. Or so Keith Jackson says, as he moves his campaign to eliminate ashley from the running to take over at Ibrox.
Ashley sparked another boardroom crisis at the Glasgow club yesterday when it was announced to the stock market he has called for an extraordinary meeting of Rangers shareholders to bullet Wallace and Nash from their positions.
The board reacted by unanimously backing both men, who are also believed to be supporting a
multi-million-pound bailout offer from a trio of wealthy of fans – Dave King, Paul Murray and George Letham .
Hang on, he’s missed out Dodgy David Murray….Too soon to tell the public ?
He has been gunning for Wallace and Nash since they booted out his plan to seize the club’s intellectual property including their crests and trademarks.
On September 3 we revealed that the Sports Direct boss had tied up a secret deal to buy the naming rights for Ibrox Stadium for just £1.
Less than 24 hours later, we told how Ashley had also taken full control of the club’s retail outlets.
And last night we received additional information about his foiled plan to become the owner of the club’s badge.
Aye, somethings happening down there …..
All the talk of fitness regimes puts me in mind of a player from the past. Can anyone remember his particular routine ?
No mention of Tom Rogic being told he will get his chance when fit.
oh i see what you did there….
Sean Fallon about to have a Prairie Oyster?
BTW. If we really are better together,why are we not allowed to play in the English leagues?
After all we’re the same country are we not?
Same country as engerland!! As the Rev Ian Paisley would say NEVER
Ian Paisley won’t be saying anything!
He will b saying it’s roasting doon here maggie
It’s got nothing to do with countries. It has to do with Football Associations. To move from one FA to another you would need approval from the membership of the new FA and their governing body, i.e. UEFA. The English FA have yet to be convinced that it is a good idea, and I doubt UEFA want to open that particular can of worms in anything other than exceptional circumstances.
This a hard one today but I’ll make a wild guess. A raw egg everyday, plenty of milk, country walking and hard training! Might try it myself before it’s too late.
The writing was certainly on the wall, all we need to know is who put it there, and why.
That’s easy, it was Lennon himself. He was told the script from day one. We’re giving you the job on these terms because this is your first job. He decided to change the rules and was told no and the rest as they say was history!
Lennon ” changing the rules” meant only one thing, a stronger Celtic and that my friend is what we all want to see!
I’m with Neil Lennon before any suit on the board!
I AM NEIL LENNON, WE ARE ALL NEIL LENNON!
Monti,
Totally with you on this one.
Liewell lied to Lenny about a 5M striker.FACT.
He repeated this guff.When he addressed the nation,at the start of the season.
“Yes,we can buy a 5M striker,as long as certain conditions are met ”
Maybe,if he had added,a QUALITY striker,from the list he was given,Maribor would have been taken care of,and we would be in the Champions League.
You refer to our CEO as Liewell.
You really need to get a grip. This is a name for a successful Celtic executive coined by the extremities of the Huns fan base.
They call him that because he represent Celtic so successfully and competently in our clubs dealings within Scottish and European football.
You may not like the man, or like his policies or decisions. Fair enough.
Just don’t get lazy and use the crass titles beloved of the hard of thinking on RM and FF.
Lenny,
I called him Liewell,as he LIED to Lenny about a 5M striker.FACT.
As for successful CEO ? That is open to debate.His earlier years,yes.Of late,I would say,no.
Have a nice day !
Regardless of your views typing “FACT” at the end of your statement doesn’t actually make it true. Unless of course you have some evidence in which case please share.
Trust me,Morto.
A year ago, 3 quality strikers,all valued at 5M,were top of Lenny’s list.Soriano,Deeney and Ulloa.Lawwell wouldn’t fork
out,as Soriano and Ulloa were 28.No resale value.Denney at 26,then 25,was judged to be a gamble !
If you notice,all 3 are now worth,a hell of a lot more.
Well, I disagree mon ami. I think we’re better aff on the road we’re on but only time will tell. I AM RONNY DELIA, WE ARE ALL RONNIE DELIA.
Celtic 125,
I respect your opinion.I feel sorry for Ronny.I have had a change of heart,
and he deserves a chance.However,he is no magician.Nothing replaces quality.How many more Pukki’s and Balde’s are we going to go through ?
In any season,not qualifying for the Champions League is a disaster.
Moreso, next season with BT having the rights.Qualifying will be a minimum 23M.Add in £’s for group points.Gates circa 8M,merchandise spin-offs,and Gross is 33M-35M.
This figure is DOUBLE what is taken in,in season tickets.
It’s imperative that we qualify next year.The finance made,WILL always maintain the GAP between ourselves and 2/3 rangers.
But,with all our loan players,will we be ready for qualifiers ??
Here’s hoping we make it but league to be won first. Why no strikers or green brigade section in place for the biggest games of the season? That is the question lawell must answer. He’s done decent job but think its time for someone else now….
Just watched Scott Brown on Sky quashing the rumours, that the players are at odds with RD’s regime. “we need to get used to it and can’t use it as an excuse” etc or something like this. Also thought it curious that Keech is talking about the old co/new co/sevco/the co/ any of the above. I know I joked last week that the diary is his exclusive source with all things Celtic or the other lot. But with yesterday Diary not talking about RD and concentrating in the Rankers, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, this has got me thinking.
Top of the Finance league,this will be music to Lawwell’s ears ( not Champion’s League music,mind )
Lawwell will be laughing all the way to the bank,at least 1M,for hosting 2 international games at Celtic Park.This should get us,another loan player in January.
Money makes the bold Peter’s world go round.Don’t listen to the plebs ( fans ),what do they know about Finance ?
Holy sea,
Totally agree, being top of a financial league is all fine and well if not surprising.
However I will continue to judge Celtic as a team on performance and results BOTH of which are currently wholly unacceptable to the Celtic support!
It is still my belief we have made a massive error appointing Deila!
out mjalby, booted as mone result of with m ********
so the rumour goes of course
Could someone translate that please?
Chris, what is this meant to say?
Welcome Yoda to the Etims!
At least you could understand Yoda!
Chris is this code for something?
I think it’s Sean making chips
Brilliant all those racist men in skirts being ripped off come on the gergia Republic for second place ya beauty
What a tool.
I can mind thinking like this when I was 14 in 1982. So at least I had a couple of excuses.
Celtic 125
You mind thinking that Dickhead was a tool in 1982, you obviously were a very astute and bright 14 year old. as you no doubt are today, he is a tool
See the way I look at things, going out of the Champions league in the circumstances we have this season is bad enough, we all agree on that I think.
Financially and from the prestige associated with being absent from the top table is bone shuddering.
See if Deila had us playing good stuff and winning comfortably, as we should be against domestic sides,I’d give him a break, throw in a heavy run in the Europa league and we would recover from the Champions league exit.
That is what HAD to happen…..
IT HASN’T, IT ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH!
Prestige lost I meant
Who-ever has the job is working in a managerial “straight jacket”.
Deila stated early doors his negative view towards loanees.
Next thing – he’s given FIVE loanees.
Clues here as to why many baulk at this job.
No control over transfers i.e. over money.
No real intent to go the Ajax route i.e. huge investment needed to implement their style of youth development – non starter!
We all seem to be at a loss as to the thought process of the man at the top ( I wish people would stop going on about Lawwell, he’s just the monkey doing the bidding of the organ grinder) namely Dermot Desmond.
Either he’s so disinterested to the point of negligence , OR there’s something in Ralphs comment above , about Celtic being fattened for the market.
Have to confess i.m not really interested in International football. Happy when Scotland do well but dont get upset when they lose. If Celtic get beat i dont buy newspapers for a week or watch sport news etc etc
“Scotland v England. They’re not even countries. One stopped the other from being one a couple of weeks ago
The people of Scotland voted, the people of Scotland didn’t agree wi you……….Always someone else’s fault eh? Get over it mate, it’s called democracy.
I’m wi Ronny………for a season.
Enjoying the comments as much as the diary these days. Time for a forum me thinks?
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-unseen-photos-villa-7899872
Does it really matter a tuppenny damn what another club’s fans did in another country thirty eight years ago.
Everybody with Celtic at hear should be turning their attention to a situation where Celtic, for various reason are season on season embracing mediocrity.
When will our fans waken up to the fact that the only way we can progress in Europe is to find a system that works for us.
I’m extremely frustrated at the results so far, but can’t believe that anybody thought it would be a smooth transaction.
Deila needs time to get his views / system into practice.
The SPL is there for us for the foreseeable future – has any of the bookies dropped the odds on Celtic yet? – so we need to think about changing our style for Europe. Leiga & Maribor don’t have £5 million strikers – they don’t have any real stars, they pay a lot less in wages than most othr European teams, yet they have been successful – why? Because they have a system that they have got used to and stick to.
The revolution will take time, but as long as it means we can compete with other European teams who have the same means as us, then it will be worthwhile.
Real Madrid have just spent £200 million on transfer fees on a team that has just won the CL and was full of superstars – how much would we need to spend to compete with them?
Not looking to compete with Real Madrid. Competing with Hamilton Accies and Inverness would do me right now…
And they’re in the red to the tune of three qtrs of a billion euros. In my book that makes them as bad as them that are dead. They have squad that quite clearly they cannot afford. Whatever way you slice it that’s financial doping.
No one has answered my questions on 1) why can’t we be fitter AND be able to play well (enough to beat Accies Murderwell, etc plus 2 very average European teams at home) and b) who says Deila’s ideas Which til now – other than the ‘get players fitter’ aspect – remains a complete and utter mystery to everyone, is actually the correct way to compete with European teams? We’ve done no bad in last dozen years other than odd blip and those blips would have been lessened with a the board being a reasonable amount more ambitious.
Go on then – other than blind faith that it will somehow come good ‘just because’, other than players losing weight / becoming ‘physically’ fitter what is the plan and the progress with it? I’m really, genuinely, dying to know..?