Kristoffer Ajer has signed for Celtic.
With Ajer, Roberts, Christie and Allan now on board, we hear that one of our current midfielders sent someone round to Ronny Deila’s house to have a few words with him…
Ajer won’t be joining immediately, he’s going to spend the next few months with his club Start, back in norway, but will be here in time for the qualifiers. Well, Ronny likes to fling a player in who no-one else knows when it comes to important games.
Ajer spoke to the press yesterday;
“Half a year back in Norway will let me play more matches with my team.
“Start have been struggling with the Academy, so they haven’t a big squad.
I hope I will still play a lot there so I will be ready for the Champions League qualifiers. It should be absolutely perfect.
“Celtic is such a big club that they must be in the Champions League, so that’s what I will try for.
“Of course, there are more matches and more game time.
“I can also finish high school and, of course, take my driving licence.”
Fair enough. we hear Calum MacGregor will be looking for a lift in to work.
Ajer is highly rated by a number of big clubs, so why Celtic ?
“It was big teams, but for me the most important thing was Celtic.
“First of all Celtic is one of the biggest clubs in the world as you see the fans and you see the atmosphere here in Glasgow.
You Tube has a lot to answer for. no wonder some of the imports look a little confused when they hear the sound of seats clicking into place at the start of every game, and not the ninety minute singalong they were expecting.
“I came to train with the players and everyone was so warm with me. I just felt home here.
“I don’t look at Celtic as a middle step. I look at Celtic as a really big club.
“One of the main focusses here is to play in front of a huge fanbase and I can’t imagine anything bigger in football than playing in front of so many thousands here.
“Ronny said Celtic is the perfect club for me to come to, but, of course, he told me I had to prove myself good enough.
“I am a part of the squad, but it’s my choice now whether I want to take the opportunity or I don’t.
“Ronny has a great reputation back in Norway and he won the title there, so, of course, he is the manager and I want to prove to him that I am good enough to play.
Reading between the lines, the previous Norwegian wonderkid, Martin Odegaard, looked for too much too soon, and there can be little doubt his name was brought up in negotiations. We’re lucky our manager is norwegian, because it appears that they have the monopoly on europes next generation, and must be a good outside bet for the European championships in 2024, the World Cup in 2026, and if ever they get a team up from Mars to play us, they’ll think that all Earthlings are tall, blond and athletic.
Makes you wonder why we bothered fighting the Germans.
There was one telling quote from Ajer, regarding Deila;
“I am sure that he will be the manager for a long time.”
Of course, this means that the piss poor hacks in the MSM have asked the question, as none of them are concerned about his role in the team, his own particular strengths and attributes, but thats because they would have had to dip into their own spoecialised knowledge of the more intricate areas of the game, and they haven’t got any, so they didn’t.
Interestingly, no-one asked what the thinking was behind this statement…
“I was comfortable as a captain. I have always been captain in youth teams and it was a huge experience for me.
“I was grateful the manager gave me the role.
“To be honest, I look at myself as a captain whether I have the role or not because I always scream and demand everything from me and the rest of the players.
“I’m not scared of saying this is me and this is what I stand for.
“Now I have to prove myself good enough and I am not going to hide behind the rest of the squad.”
It should be interesting when he does get here.
The other new boy, Erik Sviatchenko was a little more economical with his words.
“I want to win the Championship with Celtic “
Maybe he’s going to do his talking on the pitch. We hear he already knows the Belgian and Nigerian for “What the fuck are you playing at ? “
Have you entered this competiton ?
ATTENTION all Season Ticket Holders – make sure you don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to be a Celtic goalie facing shots from the country’s leading marksman, Leigh Griffiths.
The closing date for entries is 5pm this Friday. The competition is open to all Season Ticket Holders over the age of 18.
A total of FIVE lucky winners will receive expert goalkeeping tips at Lennoxtown from Hoops coach Stevie Woods before coming face-to-face with the goal-machine Leigh Griffiths.
On Saturday, Leigh became the fastest Celtic player to reach the 30-goal mark in a season since the legendary Henrik Larsson – do you think you have what it takes to shut him out?
To be in with a chance of winning this sensational prize, please email us at marketing@celticfc.co.uk, providing your contact details, 2015/16 Season Ticket reference number and a brief explanation of why you would like to take part.
Full competition terms and conditions are available here
Good luck!
Griffiths is terrified the Ross County goalkeeper has.
We hear that Craig Gordon is hopeful that he will win a chance to have some goalkeeping tips from Stevie Woods.
Its 2016, and there will be many of us heading to dublin this Easter, to commemorate the Easter Rising , which took place one hundred years ago.
I can’t afford to go, having bought a lovely silk(ish ) scarf outside the ground for an extortionate fee which says Ireland 1916-2016. I really shouldn’t buy anything after I’ve had a drink, except maybe another drink.
Others, though, are already making plans…
time for a quick caption competition, As you can tell , I’m in a bit of a rush, so its a little short today..
By the way, the replies have become a much better read now we’ve all stopped calling each other names.
Theres one or two I’ve noted that deserve a wider audience, such as the ones about coaching , formations and tactics. and the one about fan ownership from the man previously involved in something similar.
I wonder of those who made those points would like to elaborate into a full length article. Let me know in the replies and i’ll get back to you.
Rebus, Uralias, and I think it was Cecil the Lion are the ones I’m thinking of…
I’m away now to see a physiotherapist-all one word-about my dodgy leg.
You’ll probably be able to hear me scream if you open a window.
I just hope she’s in a better state than the last one…
Morning Ralph,
Watching the Bundesliga highlights really shows up what is missing in the Scottish game, never mind the quality on show and the way they market their game, I’m talking about attendances.
Almost all of the stadiums are full, it’s an awesome sight.
It is healthy and makes for a far better matchday experience, at the moment I can’t get to home games due to work commitments and to be honest, I also think individual matchday tickets at CP is overpriced.
It’s time Scottish football is shaken from it’s slumber and the game placed in a healthier position.
I believe this can’t happen under those who currently run our game, Scottish football is ill and radical change is required, that is a subject for a thread on it’s own, which I will do soon.
In the meantime, I look on with envy at how the German game blossoms.
Surely we didn’t build a 60,000 stadium so 30,000 could go along?
It’s time to bring the supporters back, and keep them coming back!
Hail Hail!
Couldn’t agree more Monti. The 50 + 1 rule in Germany where the clubs are actually in effect owned by their fans/shareholders seems to work very well (there are only 2 clubs Bayer Leverkeusen and Wolfsburg owned by big companies and they have been for years). This gives the ability to have higher attendance at lower process rather than the other way round, and I know which I’d prefer. The EPL clearly isn’t bothered about this model as they (currently) feel they can charge what they like and still sell all their tickets, but for us, I think it would be a good way forward. Although there’s an argument that revenue may fall with lower ticket prices, this is only TICKET revenue. Increased gates = increased audience for marketing of merchandise etc, which if done well could make up any shortfall. Finally, the more first time fans we can attract, the bigger the Celtic Family becomes. HH
Honest Johnbhoy,
Wholly agree with you! HH
Cap ticket prices at £20, £10 concessions. As said less gate money but, more importantly, merchandise sales would increase. Someone with the brains to work it out with present attendances at current prices as opposed to double at less money would be interesting.
Feggus himsekf once said that he would rather have 40,000 fans in the ground paying £10 per ticket, than 20,000 paying £20. the current board ought to think about that principle – and i’d rather the attendances were closer to 50,000/60,000!
Paulo also get the catering right better food more choice and importantly at affordable prices,it is a nightmare for those with khids the very future of our club.
Paolo,
Good shout neebs!
EPL clubs aren’t selling all their matchday tickets, thing is they don’t care either as it’s such a small percentage of their income.
Well said Monti bhoy! HH
Correction: Fergus himself once said that he would rather have 40,000 fans in the ground paying £10 per ticket, than 20,000 paying £20. the current board ought to think about that principle – and I’d rather the attendances were closer to 50,000/60,000!
So would any genuine fan jrw.
The suits don’t get it they never will.
Fergus wasn’t daft because id 40,000 buy a drink that’s doubt the profit of 20,000 buying a drink.
Basic business sense not to mention the lift in atmosphere and all that brings.
Caption.sevco up that creek without a paddle.
Which if you think about it is quite ironic for a Club started by 4 men from a rowing Club?
Keep up pal- Rangers were founded by “4 gallant pioneers” ( guys from a rowing club) Sevco / Second Rangers was founded by Chuckles Green, Mike Ashley, Imran Ahmed, & Rifat Rizvi (allegedly)- not quite being eulogised in song by Ra bearzzzz just yet
My bad…. 😉
I told you that sat-nav was feckin shite.
AH. The Davy Hay of the blog, THE SILENT ASASSIN,he comes out from behind the Sofa and strikes,WHOOSH and your DEED.
Good to see you posting Andybhoy,Charlie Saiz has missed you.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so detached from the club mikey bhoy, compounded by my gathering disinterest in all things football. Never ever thought I would feel like this and I couldn’t even be arsed to watch the CL games last night, in fact, I think I get more enjoyment walking the dog than watching any kind of football now.
Andybhoy,
I share your feelings of detachment towards the club. It is sad, but, hopefully only temporary.
Rebus
So sorry to hear that Andy,but hardly suprised,hopefully when the sun shines,you will come back from behind the sofa and tear into the bloggers that gets on your nerves.I cannot wait for that.
HAIL.HAIL.ANDY dont let the blighters get you down,remember your a womble/sorry TIM.
Andybhoy,
on second thoughts just to cheer you up, i will send a couple of strippers round,to get your MOJO back.
Thanks guys, I appreciate your sentiments.
Caption – “fuckin women drivers!”
Have some clubs up here not tried the pay what you can for certain games? If so how successful was it? When you see the crowds that St Johnstone, Inverness and United can generate for cup finals it makes you wonder where they are every other week, are they just fair weather fans or should the clubs be doing more to entice them to spend their hard earned cash at the game. Tickets for CP are way too much for the quality of game on offer, I personally know loads of folk who would go to the game and take their kids but just can’t afford it. When you think about the reasons why our great club was formed its a fucking scandal. Hail x2
The wildgoose,
You are quite right, £29 to watch Dundee Utd at Celtic park IS a scandal, our club is a wonderful, wonderful thing, but it get’s so much wrong.
The public relations dept at the park is a complete joke, however this isn’t the most worrying aspect of the club.
A board who either collectively or individually assist Police Scotland to hunt our fans is fucking outrageous, as for this thing called Lord Livingston, he should be out on his arse, this man’s thought process is the same as those who hate our club.
For a Celtic director to vote in favour of punishing the poorest within our society, is beneath contempt.
This was allowed to blow over too easily.
Is there no one at Celtic park with the balls to pick an argument with the SFA, Police or the Huns?
Q.C.Paul McBride, you are very much missed!
See these press conferences where the media are asking Celtic manager and players about the Huns, why isn’t anyone saying to them, mention them fucking once and you will not set foot in here again?
They despise our club and our support, so make it fucking impossible for them to do their job, unless they play ball.
If I was in the PR dept, before a press conference I’d say to them, mention them fucking once, I dare you!
HH
P.S. If I was in charge of PR at Celtic, we woukd get fined a lot, I’d get crowd funding though, coz the fans would love it!
We need people on our board who fight and question everything!
Well said again Monti. The great Paul McBride would be all over the SFA and police Scotland the last couple of years. The Scottish media are beneath contempt in how they treat our club and supporters. The police have made arrests for sectarian singing by hoops fans yet it goes on at EVERY hun game with barely a mention.
The BBC called out sectarian singing at half time by celtic fans a while back but never mentioned the disgusting continual tirade of sectarianism bile at last seasons semi final by huns which was the worst I had ever heard in 40 years of watching the hoops.
I desperately hope we don’t have to visit a stadium again with those horrible cunts any time soon. They truly are scum.
God bless every one of you.
Here we go, ten in a row!!
HH
Celtsfan67,
Totally!
Captions:
You know, I had hoped that the ‘Jimmy Johnstone Tour Experience’ would have taken me to Lisbon rather than Largs.
Or
Well, Mr Wilton, it’s about the dismissal clause in your contract…
SleepswithfishesCSC
Caption….”Oslo Motor show unveils new Fjord Escort”.
HH
Sue
Sue,
Very funny!
Rebus
The Craig Whyte,Charles Green,Dave King Warchest Search Unit finally return to their Govan base empty handed after deploying 4 years ago from Ally McCoists illegal Slipway on the Clyde…
Wouldnt it be nice if we could harness all that energy people want to expend in travelling to Dublin this easte and divert it into a new, “21st century” (which is now political) Easter Rising to free the rest of the country that so many people, in particular those living in the 26 freed counties, seem to have forgotten about….
Eh Danny…run that one past me again…??
Caption: Monti’s new catalytic (catholic) conversion efforts end with titanic failure and fails miserably just like Sir David Moyes at Utd and Real Sociedad.(not even mentioning his fa cup exit at the hands of Shrewsberry Town in the 2003 FA cup.
Bwian eh,
Thanks for that most insightful and enlightening post.
Blessed are the cheesemakers……big nose 🙂
Looks like I’m being diverted to junk folder…so last try….
Captions
….”Oslo Motor show unveils new Fjord Escort”.
…..”Pitch inspection underway at Cappielow”
HH
Sue
‘now I know why the tickets to the Canary Islands were so cheap ( cheep? )’
@brian
ronny deila- a full season without an away win
1 game from relegation
maribor, warsaw, molde, malmo, ross county….
i know who i would rather have
Fine but that was his first season in Norway, after Moyes second and best ever season at Everton he finished lower in the league suggesting that he wasn’t developing players, it could also be argued that there was no pressure on him to deliver at Everton as they are generally a middle table team. As strachan once said Good players make good managers. J
Thanks for suggesting that I might write a longer piece on fan ownership, Ralph. Not sure it’d make very interesting reading, though, because I don’t see any way in which it could work for us. I’m unhappier than most about the arrogance and contempt ahown to us by Desmond, Bankier and Livingston but I fear we’re stuck with them unless they bow to popular demand; there’s no way they give a toss about the views of the great unwashed common people.
For fan ownership to work, in my view, there needs to be a regulatory framework or there needs to be a popular club that’s a financial basket case. For proper regulation, we’d need the SNP, SFA, UEFA and similar structures to support the concept. Support from the SFA and the SNP would be like getting baby-sitting from King Herod. As a result, I don’t think it’s a starter from that perspective.
There’s a better way to go about filling the ground and seeing the sort of football we want and, I’m afraid, it’s not the Bundesliga model. It’s more the Ajax model of building our on excellence and hanging onto it. Ajax manages the former but not the latter. We’ve not got the right management structure to go there, sadly, and I don’t see it change soon.
As to financial basket case, we’re a solid organisation financially. The board doesn’t intend to go any time soon and the cost of buying is astronomic for a collective of fans. Especially astronomic if the purchase was a hostile one.
Such a concept would work for a struggling side, trying to be on the up with a biggish fan-base. I can only think of one of those right now but it’s so steeped in its own rotten history that it’s sold its soul to blazer-chasers who, some might say, are even more corrupt than football’s governing authorities.
Sadly, I’ve not got much to offer on the positive side although I know people who’d be happy to help us if we had a group with a potential for upwards of £100m to get this done.
Cecilthelion,
It will be interesting, give it a go!
Not enough time left, Monti. I’d need to wait till DD came off the golf course to get negotiation started and who knows when that’ll happen.
I am not very smart when it comes to this sort of thing, but couldn’t we just register a not-for-profit club and then slowly raise the money with as little over head as possible?
But It’d take a while to raise even the £70 million to buy up the ordinary shares currently in issue at today’s price. If the owners don’t want to sell, they name their price and we could need £150m! Then there are the preference shares with a coupon value of £1. Let’s say they go for £1.50 and we’re talking another £20m plus.
It’s just not a starter, I’m afraid. If we could pick the company up for, say, £10m, it’d be worth a go but at £100,, that’d be 100,000 punters each putting up £1,000.
Then we’d have to decide how the board gets to be made up. Do we want real Celtic men or experienced businessmen or both? We’d pretty soon get back into the same mess we’re in with today’s chancers.
Well raising money for Celtic seems to be a good idea. Even if we did have 12 million and our Board made a bad decision and the only way out was to sell our top scorer and the manager said fuck it I have had enough we at least would have a bargaining chip to keep both and possibly garner more powers. Could you write a piece about a number of possibilities such as this? Sure it’s a lot of what if, but hey.
Just replied but the post is lost, mate. I’ll give it a while to see if it reappears and try again, if not,
WordPress seems to recognise my earlier post and is rejecting the new ones as duplicates. Here’s the fifth and final attempt. Sorry, Uralius.
Apart from raising money for me and mine, I can’t think of a better cause than raising money for Celtic. Sadly, I don’t trust our board much and if we all gave, say, £1 each and donated it to buy a certain player (I know!), the board would not be bound to do what we wanted. We could make a donation but we’d have no power.
To get power, we’d need to buy the ordinary shares. There are 95,000,000 shares in issue (DD’s outfit owns around 35,000,000 of these some other gig shareholders listed owning > 3%) and each share is worth around 75p.
Shareholders are unlikely to want to sell and, if there was a hostile bid, a premium would need to be paid – say another 25p per share. If we were able to raise £39,000,000 we would get to offer to buy up all the other shares at that price. If we bought around £75,000,000 worth, roughly, we could force everybody else to sell to us. NONE of this money would go to the club; it’d all go to the existing shareholders. There are also some 29,000,000 preference shares that would also have some rights and expectation of loadsa dosh.
At this stage, the people who’d got all these funds together would own the company and would need to appoint directors and managers.
Less than 100% ownership would mean that any fan co-operative would have to deal with the other large shareholders co-operatively, of course, but to raise the sort of money to have any influence we’d need to have 50,000 supporters putting in around £1,000 each. They would all (assuming the investment was £1,000 only and nobody put up more) have equal voting rights and an equal say. Doubt we’d get many agreeing what day of the week it is at any time! Not a penny piece of this money would come to the club.
I think this might show what a tricky scenario all this is. If we raise funds and give it to the club, we have no say in how it’s used. To get a say, we’d need to raise more money than is likely and the company would get not a penny of it.
Hope that highlights the dilemma. My view is we’d be better off giving any money we raise to Mary’s Meals,
Cecil there are supposedly 9 million Tims out there.(that’s questionable I know)if half of them decided you know what I am sick of this we can do this?
Each put £30 in that’s £135 million raised.
You are forgetting of course that there will be a large number of shareholders who never bought shares for profit?
It is doable if the numbers are there.
Dermot is the largest shareholder he would not look to rip fans off neither would the likes of Lawwell it would be a case of sell up and fuck off or we simply wont buy any more SB’s till you do?
The Support hold the good hand not the Board or the Investor.
Afraid getting 4,500,000 people to do anything is a bit of a tall order. Even finding that number of people would be beyond practical.
Lawwell’s a paid employee. He has no meaningful shareholding but there are institutions who have substantial holdings and DD won’t leave without a handsome profit.
I’m afraid the support SHOULD hold the whip hand but it’s well down the power list.
I’d just like to add that I’d love this to be doable. Being so negative sits badly with me but I can’t see how it’s remotely possible.
@Cecil
Without the Support the games a bogey bud Big Jock had it bang on in so many ways when he said “Football is nothing without fans”
I believe if we get the numbers and put it to them in a nice way thanks for the Investment here’s you money back then those with scruples and a genuine love of Celtic as some of them claim they would take it and go.
Those who wished to remain and continue to bleed the Club well they are not the type you want near it anyway.
You squeeze those bastards hard.
If it means starving them out for a Season then fuck it it would be worth it in the long run surely?
You could say hey we want this a non profit making entity not only that a Charitable one and you have a moral obligation to get your right price and walk away.
If they don’t or won’t then right away they polarise themselves from those who will.
It can be done it would not be easy but hey neither was watching kids starving in 1887 look what was achieved then against so many odds?
We can look back to look forward.
@Cecil
It’s not impractical if you have Supporters Clubs and Associations all over the Globe in a position to contact them all for you via the net,phone or word of mouth?
It would take time of course but not impossible.
Once word got out I believe you would have the answer either way fairly swiftly.
Original post lost. Trying again.
Thanks for suggesting that I might write a longer piece on fan ownership, Ralph. Not sure it’d make very interesting reading, though, because I don’t see any way in which it could work for us. I’m unhappier than most about the arrogance and contempt ahown to us by Desmond, Bankier and Livingston but I fear we’re stuck with them unless they bow to popular demand; there’s no way they give a toss about the views of the great unwashed common people.
For fan ownership to work, in my view, there needs to be a regulatory framework or there needs to be a popular club that’s a financial basket case. For proper regulation, we’d need the SNP, SFA, UEFA and similar structures to support the concept. Support from the SFA and the SNP would be like getting baby-sitting from King Herod. As a result, I don’t think it’s a starter from that perspective.
There’s a better way to go about filling the ground and seeing the sort of football we want and, I’m afraid, it’s not the Bundesliga model. It’s more the Ajax model of building our on excellence and hanging onto it. Ajax manages the former but not the latter. We’ve not got the right management structure to go there, sadly, and I don’t see it change soon.
As to financial basket case, we’re a solid organisation financially. The board doesn’t intend to go any time soon and the cost of buying is astronomic for a collective of fans. Especially astronomic if the purchase was a hostile one.
Such a concept would work for a struggling side, trying to be on the up with a biggish fan-base. I can only think of one of those right now but it’s so steeped in its own rotten history that it’s sold its soul to blazer-chasers who, some might say, are even more corrupt than football’s governing authorities.
Sadly, I’ve not got much to offer on the positive side although I know people who’d be happy to help us if we had a group with a potential for upwards of £100m to get this done.
Without the sale of players we are a loss making enterprise.
We need to clear £14m in the next 3 years on top of running at a loss without selling our best talent every year.
Not as rosy in the garden as some seem to think.
Though you would think by Peter Lawwells rather large bonus that we were.
Transfer trading is part of the package of activities that fund a football organisation. There’s no point in highlighting one component as a reason for anything.
Celtic used to build teams,retain the best players and keep hold of them until they either slowed down with age or retired.
That has been chucked out the window because the fact is without punting our very best year in year out we would be running at a loss and the suits would not be taking the cream off the top.
It’s very relevant to our Club.
It’s no longer “part of the package” it’s now no 1 on the agenda.
Just tried twice and failed both times to post a reply. I’ll try again; apologies if the lengthy document suddenly appears three times.
Caption ! I told you Kris get your licence first then we can drive round the strathy park not feckin in it.
Caption: “Devoy, you old fecker, you shoulda gone to Specsavers. Small puddle my arse.”
Caption: “Highland League, pitch inspection, January 2016”
Caption: “Ronny takes Monti’s advice and gets a taxi back to Norway…”
Charlie Saiz,
I responded on the other thread to your lengthy post.
Great post and at the end of it, I wanted a Hun to slightly miscontrol the ball in centre mid so I could go through the cunt!
Well said!
I replied Monti 😉
Got it!
Now being told “Duplicate post detected. Looks like you’ve already said that” or some such. Giving up now. Sorry, Ralph, I did try to reply to you but it looks like the technology doesn’t want to know.
CeciltheLion…
Got the same ….in my case I think Etims have probably implemented a ‘quality threshold”!
HH
Sue
applies double to me, I think 🙂
I find if you put Post gone walkabout,missing where it should have gone it will turn up within a few hours Cecil as it alerts the Mod to the relevant post.
Hope this helps bud?
Cecil…perhaps Etims installed the ‘…already said that…’ in response ti Monis’s “Delia out ” “Moyes In” posts.
Calm doon Montizuma, only jestin.
Summer football for me would bring the crowds back.
Increase the number of teams in the league so we only have to play each other once at home and away.
Play all cup ties to a finish no replays.
Naw group stages knockout all over 2 legs except the final. Practise for Europe! Teams tied on points at the end of the season have a play off. No ties and Fuck goal difference.
caption wee chubby at the back says i no a said yer burd was bowfing and needed a wash but ffs
@Paolo, you asked for some price comparisons. Fitba stats says that Celtic’s average home gate for this season is 44,000. Whilst I would dispute that this is the actual number of people in attendance, let’s try and play fair and say it’s correct. At an average ticket price of £26 that’s revenue of £1,114,000 (I know we’re ignoring concessions here but if we do it throughout the example it makes the maths simpler). To get that much money with 60,000 present (not including the away fans) we could charge £19 and make the same money. If, as I’d guess, attendance is around 34,000 and everyone was paying on the gate (due to not buying a season ticket protest for example), then revenue would be £884,000 per week. Charging £15 and getting a full house would return £900,000. And it’s fair to say, IMHO, the return would be more than financial. HH
More than financial agreed but there’s also likely to be additional financial benefits. Think of all the extra pies etc they’d sell. DD’ll be salivating already.
In Germany, public transport gets to be included and it’s time we reintroduced bus/subway/train travel benefits. (Oh and subsidised flights for the 67 Club members, of course.)
So what you are saying is that it is a difference of GMS right foot per game to charge £15 per game?
I hope our commercial people are reading this site. Lowering ticket prices is good and then selling good food and drinks at the game is even better. Especially if they could sell beer! Also have the bookies bid to put a couple of kiosks in and let people bet prior to and after the games. having a drinking ( beer section ) and non drinking sections should keep the law happy. We also need pre and post match options to turn up early and stick around and be entertained. Pricing could be worked to have family discounts and of course merchandise could be actively punted too. there are so many things we could do to attract more people to games outside of having the team playing attractive winning football as that also helps!
Agree with all that. Doubt that the beer thing will come any time soon whilst football supporters are treated like scum by politicians. Another fabulous thatcher (may she be burning painfully in hell)legacy that nobody will challenge.
It’s time we reminded these politicians who their masters really are. Only vote for those with supporter friendly policies; get football supporter welfare up the agenda. The SMSM also need to be reminded who their master really are. Stop buying their output until and unless they’re fair and balanced and supportive. (I guess that means never buying them again.) Don’t buy anything sold by their main advertisers. Power to the people!
The way things are at the moment you could charge 10/15 quid a ticket and it still wouldn’t be full. we need to have a pay on the gate instead of people having to buy tickets that might increase the crowd by a little but I seriously doubt it .
Selkirk,
Pay at the gate would be a good start!
…remember the days as a wean getting lifted ere the turnstile????….also ( you’ll love this Monti ) when priests got in for free!!!
Think the problem facing most clubs is how to price their season tickets. You can’t ask season ticket holders to fork out £26 per game them allow others in cheaper what would be the point of a season ticket.
For me Celtic should sell season books all inclusive. All home matches covered in the one price. Including European ties.
Then you could start looking at less prices for non season ticket holders.
For the first time ever teams in the premiership, next season do not need gate money as their main source of income. The profit from their tv deal means they could let their fans in free, every game. Imagine that, and Liverpool had the cheek to ask their fans to stump up an average of £77 more. Well done them for walking out.
We now need huge changes to our game here. Summer football has to be the more attractive choice for fans, players,and sponsorship. All we hear up here is more artificial pitches being planned to combat the weather. It’s a joke.
They can if they give season ticket holders better seats. Then its worth the extra money
Cecilthelion,
Fergus of course did this as well as giving £10 to every member of a supporters club. We had 75 members then and a double decker taking us to the games. Now it’s a mini bus and 16 of us.
People can watch a match every match in a pub now,my local has it on every Celtic game live. There is more sitting in the pub than wanting to go to the game. Times are changing and Scottish football is standing still we have to change and quickly.
Seems to me the big problem is television. It’ll do to football what it did to snooker, soon. Riches beyond belief then it pulls the plug and the clubs will flounder wondering how to get the support.
We need to get away from the TV crap and get people back to the games. The fact that the over-rated EPL can thrive, not survive but thrive, with no punters at any games is a scandal. Cameras should only be allowed in grounds once all the tickets are sold. For football to think that the paying punter is less valuable than a TV punter is suicidal thinking.
Make the football more attractive; make it cheaper; make it easier to get to; make it at predictable times every week – how about 3pm every Saturday and a 7:30 KO on Wednesdays; give better facilities. The answers are all there but it’s too easy just for all these directors to take Murdoch’s shilling (or in Scotland’s case, Murdoch’s farthing).
Easy? Aye, right.
Cecil,
I agree completely mate!
How about away game streaming? Home game Pay per view costing the same as home games.
Yep, both are important especially for people who’re not close to Paradise but I think it’s much more important to have people at the games. TV ONLY once the ground’s filled to capacity.
Aye Cecil that’s why streaming only for away games. Pay per view same as sitting at the game process for him matches.
Pay at the gate would be a Sensible idea, however the conditions that fans have to sit in is also relevant.
Last weekends game against th mighty Ross County, the official attendance was 42,500, the probable crowd as close to 30,000.
Last Saturday was miserable I wen to the game with the grandson, It was freezing.
Summer football should be considered, would also help with qualification for Europe, as we normally play Scandinavian, Northen European games where they are well into their league runs.
The problem is Scottish Football and Celtic are dinosaurs, it is quite nice to have a loung then sit in your heated sea whilst the majority are freezing their proverbials off.
The club has to do more than the pathetic Hoopy and the Kerrydale bar, but currently they are totally out of touch with he fans, look at Celtic TV, poor quality coverage by amateurs, als the Celtic app which is geared more to Dafabet.
There should b a review of how to improve the experience for all fans, more external entertainment and easy access to toilet facilities for early arrvers. There is no way Celtc could be owned by the fans that door cased years ago, but fans can make a point regarding merchandising.
They’re fooling nae one by continually posting attendance figures of 40,000 + when it’s clear there’s been barely 30,000 at some games, and a good bit less than that more recently – it wouldve been quicker naming the crowd, twenty minutes before the 8-1 game, than the teams. I’ve heard the rumour that season tickets are goin up by £50 if sevco come up; can anyone confirm this ?
Kind regards,
@Ralph Malph
I would be happy to write something what specifically got you interested?
@Charlie Saiz,
I would dearly love to see Celtic actually become a club like no other.
Modern football is so money obsessed it is off putting to the masses. Bucking the trend and becoming fan owned, non profit making and properly charitable should be our aim.
Returning the club to its position as a club for all, who pays it’s staff the living wage and whose profits are directed to charity would truly be something to get excited about.
I love Celtic and always will but feel more and more like a customer with each passing day. The dream of a club envied the world over because of what it stands for and what it actually DOES can become a reality with the determination and abilities of our wonderful fans. A club where winning football matches is only a part of what we are about.
A club who challenge media perceptions and social issues head on, not just pay lip service to it. A club who insist on fair play and footballing justice. I for one would buy into that!
In the meantime, let’s get stuck in, get the double and get behind the bhoys on the pitch.
COYBIG. May your GOD (If you have one) bless you.
Agreed Cartvale88.
Last week was terrible winter football has had its day. I too was there basically for my grandsons sake. I never used to miss a game but now it’s getting harder, in the spring summer I would have no problem. Yes we don’t get great summers but at least it’s not bloody freezing.
Sadly though we may have a problem with the police due to the marching season,I do believe attendances would be better with summer football we just can’t keep going with the same old.
At least you’re taking your grandson. That’s what’s needed. Get the kids to matches and stop them expecting to see action replays and shite commentaries from never-has-beens. Get ving the game like we all did once and make entry for them much, much cheaper. Lift one kid in for every adults – now there’s an idea. Gie’s a lift, Mister. Back to the future – that’s what we need!
Cecil,
Those who are unemployed and their children should be getting in free, I’m sure Brother Walfrid would second that!
This isn’t just a football club! HH
100% with you on that. Throw in a bit of free catering and the place would be packed to the rafters. If a few of these kept coming after things improved for them, we’d be set for another generation.
The rest of us could all pay for it by cancelling our Sky subscriptions. Might even get into Parad1se early and see a development squad game first. (OK, worries about the pitch etc but must be an answer there somewhere.)
Monti we disagree on certain aspects of the Football but regarding the running of Celtic I agree with plenty you have to say about that.
I believe there are a great many Tims out there in the World who share these views.
That should be tapped into in my opinion.
A mate of mine takes his wee girl with him to every home game, hale, sleet or snow, she loves the Hoops and so does my mate.
I’ve lost count the amount of times he has said he isn’t enjoying his football the now, but his girl likes to go.
You look at Dortmund and Schalke 04, packed out, Paradise should be like that!
Celtic mostly reflects a Scottish/Glasgow working class, Irish-descended, Catholic, socialist and republican ethos but of course everyone is welcome and our club has world-wide status. Ours is a house of many rooms. We should pay the living wage to all who toil for our club. There should be huge discounts and concessions for the disabled, elderly, unemployed and youngsters. Youngsters under 12, accompanied by an adult, should not pay at all. All tickets should be affordable. Finally, our ‘sponsor’ should be something like Unicef,Oxfam or similar. We are more than a club which means to any Celtic supporter more than just winning. Yes, we had the moral high ground once but do we anymore? My grandchildren are too wee just now but I would like them to experience Celtic the way many of us did, except for the bile coming from Ibrox, which will start flowing once more next year.
I think there should be a system in place where SB Holders can alert the Club they are not going to a game and perhaps some kids or folk unable to afford a game can get in and sit at their seat.
This way you are more or less guaranteed the 45000 seats already paid for to be filled.
A fan run Celtic would see this happen.
Charlie,
Could a system be put in place where each ST holder nominated an alternate who would be afmitted automatically if you could not attend.
Rebus
Totally agree something along these lines should be implemented.
Perhaps invite local schools (with Celtic leanings ahem) in get the kids in for free?
The technology is there it could be put to better use?
Devoy,
I enjoyed your post, something must be done to get Celtic in better nick on and off the park, we Celtic supporters all know this is a special thing we follow in our hearts, it’s not just about football it’s about a pride in where we came from, from humble beginnings to become European Champions and establish ourselves as one of the world’s leading football clubs.
We don’t have access to the finances the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid have, but I know Celtic stand beside these clubs, not beneath them, beside them.
Our potential has not been reached, we have a lot of scope to grow, we must reach higher, we need to find the finances external of our domestic scene and become a Champions league regular.
Downsizing has to be stopped, it’s time to build a team that can lift our club.
Two quotes stay with me that I truly believe in, ” Build a side for Europe and Scotland ( domestically) will take care of itself ” – Jock Stein.
The other ” Manchester United couldn’t cope with Celtic in terms of global support and worldwide appeal ”
The first of these quotes, the one by Jock, I firmly believe in, if the side is built to be strong on the continent it should be more than enough to deal with any domestic competition.
Alex Ferguson’s quote about Celtic being bigger than Manchester United, in terms of global support is a huge compliment, one that the board should be bursting a gut to prove true.
This isn’t the time to be Downsizing and sitting down, it is time to lift the club, get the fans back in their seats and let us, the supporters push the team on! HH
Sky out!!!
The bile from them has never stopped!!
Agree totally Devoy, the club should be more than just a club. Unhappy at the new shirt sponsors, but what can you do, walk away, as you say in the blood. The club however is missing the point, there is far too much English coverage, in he school that my grandson goes to there are Man Untd, Arsenal etc. Supporters, years ago these children would have been Celtic first and foremost. More should be done to attract the nex generation to Paradise.
@Charlie Saiz
I can and will contribute. If I stopped drinking cafe coffee and went with Senseo I could contribute €3.00 a day. To be able to influence the club of my dreams and bring it forward with, openness and integrity whilst continually striving for excellence on the park, I’d probably be able to give up a whole lot more.
This is what Celtic should be tapping into Uralius I believe most if not all who follow the Celtic would do likewise.
Seriously bud our family lives day to day and I know I could make changes to find that £30-50 that could make such a difference.
With our fanbase the sheer size of it we will have people who are very wealthy that can chuck a grand at it without blinking.
If the numbers are indeed out there then the potential of this Club OUR FUCKING CLUB is limitless.
I suggested a Transfer Fund to Peter Lawwell around 4 years ago that is a seperate fund generated by fans out there that could go toward bringing in in 2 – 3 players of a standard that would normally be beyond the Clubs reach.
I believe once such a fund existed and guarantees were sought that it would be used for that sole purpose it had the potential to be a game changer at Celtic.
These types of players ie yer Nakamuras Lubos and Larssons have the ability to ignite the passion,change a game in an instant and turn an average Europa League team into a dangerous Champions League outfit.
It’s all possible but for their own reasons it was considered and pushed aside for the current approach of buy to sell?
He did not say it was a bad idea btw he simply stated they had another approach in the pipeline.
Well that approach has now come unstuck and I believe had they run both simultaneously we would not be in the position we are in now.
I have responded bud it’s out there in cyberspace having a pint somewhere…..
Might as well have somewhere to gain in numbers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/130420387345718/
Charlie Saiz I responded to your long post on the last one here, but it’s gone walk about.
I will have a look bud.
Just a short note to say I have not posted a large piece to the blog today. Consequently, it has not got lost. I like the feeling!
It is a good day and I am wallowing in not posting. You are not really seeing this, it is a dream. When you wake up, you’ll be starring in Dallas.
Flattered, flabergasted and fandangled that you would consider an article from me. Yes, I would be interested but not on fan ownership. Your lawyers could talk to my lawyers and we can do something. It could not be until early March, I am off to Spain for some tapas until Mar 1.
Rebus
‘Detachment from the club’, ‘only temporary’ ? When will that change then ? When we start winning things and you can wear your newly bought scarf and (reduced price) hoops with ‘pride’ again ?
You are born into it man, it is in your heart win lose or draw ! Cradle to grave
It’s not a lifestyle choice
FFS.
Steve,
I have replied to you but it has not appeared yet. I shall re-post it if it gets lost.
Rebus
Mr Naive, I have followed Celtic since the mid 60’s and I have sacrificed much to be there through both good times and bad.You are oblivious to my reasons for the statement I made,so your comments are totally meaningless. By the way I said I felt detached from the club, what has lifestyle got to do with it?
How many games did you miss during the the years 89-94?
Were you at Tynecastle 45 minutes after the final whistle singing your heart out the day the dead club won the first of their tainted 9.
Did you stand defiant at Ibrox when we lost both league games 5-1 and 4-1?
I could go on and on, so please, refrain from the childish lecturing.
c’mon noo…it no a competition of who’s’ the bestest sellick supporter in the whole wide world. We are all individuals and as such our priorities fluctuate are fluid but throughout ones life our core principle, values beliefs and ethics generally generally remain solid. And as such….
MON THE HOOPS !!
I wasn’t born into it. I started supporting sometime around `83. I have documented before why and how I have supported. We really all j just want what is best for our club. For me I want minor modifications to the tactics so we can stretch teams more (exactly how Molde were stretched tonight by Seville), and I want to see our young (especially Scottish) players becoming complete players technically. That is my main thing and you know what? If this management team cannot do it then get me one that can!
Some arrests after the cup tie at Stairs park, nae word of any at ipox v the trainspotters during the festive season?
Steve,
I do believe you are having a go at me! I changed my polo shirt and slipped on one of my Celtic tops so that I could reply to you properly. I have to say I was not born into it, in my case, it was a conscious choice. And that was in the sixties before we started winning things. Did I have commitment? I recall being on a train from the Town to Paisley and three Rangers supporters came on into the non-smoking carriage. One sat opposite me and immediately pulled out a cig to smoke. I pointed out the no smoking sign, he blew smoke in my face. I pulled the fag(i mean the cigarette) from his mouth and stood on it. He lit another and I did the same. Repeat. Finally he gave up, and I took a Celtic scarf out my bag and laid it on the seat beside me. He got off the train at the next stop. The story was written up in the Sunday Post thst week.
I do not just follow the Celts when they win, but I do reserve the right to critique them when I think they are headed downhill.
Rebus
Watching Molde getting it handed to them by Seville.
You should be watching the mighty 19 year old Midtjyland showing up the multi million pound show ponies of Manchester United on BT 2.
2-1 to the Danes and the United Keeper has kept them out twice with great saves.
2-1 win for Midtjyland.
Does this not prove that money cannot guarantee anything in Europe?
Fucking brilliant well done the wee team.
Incidentally the Danish boys haven’t played a competitive game in 2 MONTHS.
Charlie,
It also shows what can be done with limited resources and a good manager. It cuts both ways.
Rebus
It all comes down to how you perform on the night.
Had we turned up at Malmo and put in the Quarabag away performance or the Inter away performance I doubt we would have went out?
Same with both Molde ties too many players failed to put in an acceptable performance and at that level no matter who they are they will punish you.
The Management knew enough to take on the former above I should think they knew enough to beat the Malmos and Moldes.
Inconsistency and poor defending has cost us dearly this season.
Not poor management.
If it was poor management we would not be top of the League with the poor defence and inconsistent form of key men.
Look at Chelsea they are not a poor side.
Yet there they languish in the table whilst still in the latter stages of the Champions League going toe to toe with PSG.
Aye, CS, money’s no guarantee. There are only two certainties in life – death and nurses, or was it death and taxes? It helps, just the same, to have money. Like Sophie Tucker said “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.”
I’m on the XBOX!!! 🙂
Van Gaal no happy….
I watched the first half of the Mitjity game switched to the Seville game then once or was 2 – 0 switched back to Mitjity just in time to see that tall Nigerian score.
VG tae is oot.
Murinio inti the helm.
They can shove EPL right up their jacksie.
Sad to see so many Tims still paying to watch Sky. They contribute virtually nothing to our game and are paying so much to the EPL sides that our football is being marginalised.
They’ll be the death of football as a spectator sport if we’re not careful. Cancel your subscriptions and get out to watch games, any games (well, except 2angers and their new-born cousins, oh and the Ayrshire huns).
@Cecil
Never bought into SKY.
I viewed it akin to making a pact with the Devil.
At some point Football would have to pay a hefty price for the greed and I think that day is not too far off in the distance.
Those who bought into it have ultimately funded SKY’s ability to destroy what the game was supposed to be about?
The money in the game is disgusting now.
The wages,the astronomical Transfer fees and Agents fees all fed by those who bought into it.
It will end one day,Clubs will go bang and Football will be the casualty to the greed over the past 2 decades or so.
It’s unsustainable indefinitely.
What makes Celtic so special is you lot!I have travelled for years by boat and bus, occasionally by plane to Glasgow to go to a game. Watching a young Maestro breakthrough right through to now and still the biggest draw to Glasgow are fellow supporters. The fayre on the field has mostly been a mediocre backdrop to the craic had with the funniest, most passionate, welcoming fanbase on the planet. Fans like all you on etims are key to the club’s future one way or another. Big Jock hit the nail on the head when he said football without fans is nothing. The board need to start planning for a successful, sustainable and equitable future for the best ( if at times a bit grumpy) fans in the world , whom I KNOW are this great clubs biggest asset.
Well said Greenday ( every day is a Greenday to me.)
Your post was correct in so many ways.
HAIL.HAIL.
HH to that.
This lad looks like a decent prospect.
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/paul-onuachu/profil/spieler/272855
Uralius,
Looks worth further study. Erik shouldknow about him. Problem might be a work permit…he does not have international matches.
Rebus
Caption: the Renfrew ferry relaunches after Dave King investment deal
Caption: rangers ‘share launch’ plans unveiled – investors said to be underwhelmed
AndyBhoy and Rebus,
First of all it’s not aimed at anybody, it’s just my opinion. You will have been to games that I haven,t and I will have been to games you weren’t but that is childish and not the point. I know real diehards that cannot get to games now for many reasons and they have opinions on the team, formation, players, coaches and owners but are not disillusioned. Took a mate to the 0-0 draw with Killie and he loved it, being back at the game, watching Celtic. Maybe because we care we are gutted about the way it’s headed but we still go…we will always still go because that is what we do .I took all my weans over the years ( seven of them and all to the same maw !) because people took me . You do have the total right to criticise and I do it myself but it becomes self defeating Some fans just fucking hammer them all the time. I remember in the Jungle fans having a go at Stein for not making the sub they wanted (Callaghan off) even Jinky got it sometimes !
Rebus, sorry for the cheap comment re the shirts, just that I see a bit of it in the ‘family stand’ but on reflection it’s good for the club.
Anybhoy, you didn’t explain your reasons so I made an assumption..part of it is the difference between a supporter and a fan (fanatic) and you have shown that in adversity (was at the 4-1) and their nine you supported the club more by giving it your all…they might own it but it’s our club.
Better man than me Rebus with the huns on the train…respect to you.
Steve,
You are a good TIM. Keep doing what you are doing. My dream was to take my boys to see the Celtic… To understand what the club means…more than a football club. It was not possible because we moved away…too far to travel back to see the Bhoys. All my boys have moved from our home and are spread around the world. It is too late to get them to realise the joy and sorry of supporting our club. I envy your experience.
I also think that there is some truth in your accusation that I criticise the team too much. I shall try to take a balanced view of the club. Like you, I just wish our club to be all it can be, and it can be more than it is at the moment.
Thank you for your respectful reply,
Rebus
Rebus,those were kind words and fine sentiments,which prove that you are a kind and positive person,but please,please do not in any circumstances,adjust or amend your views or opinions to suit others.The whole point of the blog is to articulate your own opinions,if you adjust them or moderate them,then they are not your true opinions.
Have a great holiday,enjoy the weather the peialla?and the beer.
HAIL.HAIL.
Never did understand what the Big Man saw in Tommy Callaghan! Nice guy but not my idea of a footballer.
Great post.
I have great admiration for those who still go hail,rain or shine without them/you the games a bogey for Celtic.
The fact is there are far more like me who have no option to view from afar that’s just a fact of life that to house us all at Celtic Park we would need a stadium the size of Glasgow to seat us all!.
I refer to fans like myself as fans and Supporters like those mentioned above as such because that is what you do you go you support.
However I see us all as Tims no different none more important than the next.
As Tims we have our own views on all things Celtic,we do argue,we do fall out over what is let’s face it trivial matters but the bottom line is we care deeply about what has happened,what is happening and what may happen in future as a result of decisions being made FOR US.
My belief is we will never ALL be 100% happy with how Celtic is run until we do it for OURSELVES.
I along with the millions out there do not have to be a regular at games to affect what is happening on the pitch?
My money could be put to good use along with the rest to ensure those who are lucky enough to be there hail,rain or shine can at least be watching the best players we can afford on the Park.
I would gladly put £50 into an Account today if it meant Andy,Mike,Cecil, Monti etc etc etc could sit there and smile at the Football on show.
I may not agree with your thoughts on the Manager or Systems bhoys but I am fully behind your wish to see better Football from a Celtic side week in week out.
I wish to see the same thing albeit from the warmth and comfort of my own home.
I believe there are great many of us out there who would agree.
Ps I/They will be back some day soon.
HH
HAIL.HAIL.to THREE GOOD TIMS (among many,many others).
B.B.before blogs Celtic fans could discuss the tims with there pals and get there reactions and put there points of views.
Now that we all discuss our views annonomously on blogs,how do you know the other person.his history and circumstances,you dont,so its easy,very easy to jump to the wrong conclusions.
One among many negatives of posting on line.
HUGS to the three of you.ANDYBHOY,REBUS and STEVE.
Steve not so naive:-I agree, what a lot of sellic fans don’t seem to get is …being at the game and watching it on the telly is two different opinions,not saying that watching on tv means shit,but being at the game will always be better,only wish is that more would realise this and come and SUPPORT the hoops
Congratulations Ralph…and Hail Hail to all on here.
Agree with Davie Hay today where he questions the signing of Ajer.
I personally feel it may well be a good bit of business by the club in the longer term, if clubs such as Liverpool, Tottenham and Roma are Scouting you, you must be doing something right.
The part where I agree with Davie is about Ajer making an impact on the CL qualifiers in the summer.
The Celtic squad is relatively young, especially when it comes to Europe, we need a few signings who know how to handle European football.
This is the last season Celtic will be seeded for every qualifying round, failure in the summer to qualify will have a profound effect.
This should be remembered when looking at new recruits.
HH
We need to sign 1 or 2 Seasoned Champions League players Monti been saying this for 4 years now.
Ajer is yet another “banker” by the Board he has been signed to punt 2 years down the line that much is obvious.
Same with Bitton Wanyama,Ki,Van Dijk.
European under 25 with Potential= Punted for profit.
This is the “Masterplan”.
Agree!