{"id":8642,"date":"2016-02-13T11:12:19","date_gmt":"2016-02-13T11:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8642"},"modified":"2016-02-13T11:12:19","modified_gmt":"2016-02-13T11:12:19","slug":"celtic-diary-saturday-february-13-bank-balance-triumph-unites-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8642","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Saturday February 13: Bank Balance Triumph Unites Fans"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ever wondered whether you should buy the Ibrox Evening Times again, have a look at the headline here. Remember, this is a club posting a profit of nearly \u00a312 million.<\/p>\n

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier admits to frustrating season as<\/h1>\n

figures reveal Virgil van Dijk sale plugged financial hole of<\/h1>\n

Champions League exit.<\/h1>\n

Thats a half year profit, and yes, a big part of it was the development and sale of a player, though presumably the Times thinks that money from this part of the business doesn’t count.<\/p>\n

Its another Scottish club posting a profit, and a healthy one at that. Which will enable them to stay in business, and not be the focus of spivs, crooks and conmen hell bent on fleecing the support.<\/p>\n

And they couldn’t wait to quote the most depressing part of chairman Iain Bankier’s statement to the stock exchange-proper, grown up clubs with accountants and revenue streams have to report to the stock exchange, a concept \u00a0Times reporters will be unfamiliar with.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

“On the park, it has been a frustrating season,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are top of the Scottish Premiership and in the sixth round of the Scottish Cup, but we fell short in the SPFL League Cup, being knocked out in the semi-final.<\/em><\/p>\n

“In the European competitions, we were unable to progress beyond the group stages of the Uefa Europa League, having not qualified for the group stages of the Uefa Champions League.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n

“Our profit on disposal of intangible assets of \u00a312.6m (2014: \u00a37.1m) largely reflects the transfer of the registration of Virgil Van Dijk to Southampton.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Over the same period, we reinvested in the playing squad, with \u00a36.1m expended (2014: \u00a35.7m) on the registrations of Scott Allan, Logan Bailly, Carlton Cole, Ryan Christie, Nadir Ciftci, Saidy Janko and Jozo Simunovic.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Subsequently, during the 2016 January transfer window, further investment has been made with the signing of Danish international Erik Sviatchenko and Turkish international Colin Kazim-Richards.<\/em><\/p>\n

“The board considers that our self-sustaining model allows the club to look to the future with reasonable optimism.<\/em><\/p>\n

“We sit at the heart of developments in football, both at home and in Europe, being represented by Peter Lawwell on the board of the Scottish FA, the European Club Association and on the Club Competitions Committee at UEFA. Eric Riley also serves as a director of the Scottish Professional Football League.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

“The strategy of the board is unchanged. Our overwhelming priority is to win the SPFL Premiership and to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Gleefully, the Times announced ” Bankier also reported that the club\u2019s failures in Europe will have an obvious effect on finances.”<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking forward to the second half, as with previous years, trading performance in the remaining months of this financial year will not be at the same level as that in the first six months (or the comparable period in 2014), with fewer home matches scheduled, no participation in European competition and lower expected gain on player sales.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The second half figures will also not include season book money , which is a fair chunk of revenue as well, and is traditionally lower than the first half figures.<\/p>\n

But hey, lets mention Europe, and see if we can make Timmy feel a little more miserable.<\/p>\n

Yes, Europe is done for this year, and there’s nothing we can do about that.<\/p>\n

But surely some sort of massive street party is needed to show our gracious thanks that the club made so much money even without champions League participation.<\/p>\n

We should have scarves and hats made up showing the amount of money that is the clubs pre tax profit. ( for any Ibrox Evening Times reporters reading, thats the amount of money made before a tax payment is submitted. For \u00a0most clubs, the two amounts \u00a0differ. )<\/p>\n

Oh come on, there’s a game today and surely the board deserve a song or two for steering the club through the financial wilderness ?<\/p>\n

How about, Hail, Hail, the Accounts are Here \u00a0?<\/p>\n

Or “We Shall Not Be Skint ?”<\/p>\n

And as if that wasn’t enough good news, how about this ?<\/p>\n

Celtic land new shirt sponsor as Dafabet line up big-money deal to replace Magners<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/h2>\n

DAFABET are lining-up a big-money deal to become\u00a0Celtic\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0main shirt sponsors.<\/em><\/p>\n

Currently a betting partner of the Parkhead club, the company are ready to secure the biggest agreement of its kind in Scottish football.<\/em><\/p>\n

Celtic signed a three-year contract at the beginning of the 2013-14 season for Magners to be on the front of the shirts but Dafabet are set to take over for 2016-17.<\/em><\/p>\n

Founded in 2004, Dafabet have moved increasingly into the football market in recent years having initially signed up England international Alan Shearer as Asian Sports Ambassador five years ago.<\/em><\/p>\n


\nGo on, admit it. you’re all excited. Possibly, dare i say it, even aroused …. ( I entered an erection competition once, but i only got to a semi..)<\/span><\/p>\n

Ach, with all this excitement , the football is merely a sideshow.<\/p>\n

Which, of course, is the problem.<\/p>\n

Yes, we need to be solvent, but where is all this money going ?<\/p>\n

Certainly not on players.<\/p>\n

As Bankier said above..<\/p>\n

The board considers that our self-sustaining model allows the club to look to the future with reasonable optimism.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The club may look forward with reasonable optimism, but do the fans ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While they have their bonuses to look forward to, we have little to get excited about. In england, the clubs could function financially if they dropped all admission charges and let fans in for nothing, thanks to the new sky Deal, based on last seasons figures.<\/p>\n

Are the board now trying to raise money without the fans, just in case we finally get sick of them and don’t bother turning up ?<\/p>\n

They need to start thinking about how we feel, and not how they think we feel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For instance, here’s the guide to todays matchday experience, which is a summary of the effort the club puts in for the fans… just in case you’re debating whether or not to go along…<\/p>\n

9:00am<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Celtic Superstore opens. There\u2019s still time to indulge the love of your life\u2019s passion for the Hoops and grab a last minute Celtic St Valentine\u2019s Day gift \u2013 we\u2019ve a great selection of gift ideas available.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Reductions continue in the store for all 2015\/16 New Balance Celtic kits, pick-up an adult shirt for \u00a339 or a kid\u2019s shirt for just \u00a329 (saving \u00a311). We\u2019ve also 10% off selected New Balance training kit.<\/em><\/p>\n

10:30am<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Ticket Office at Celtic Park opens. Supporters can buy or collect tickets for today\u2019s game right up until kick-off at 3p.m. Tickets for the second part to our Highland double header against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on February 20 will also be on sale. You\u2019ll find all the latest Celtic ticket information\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

12:00pm<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Kerrydale Bar doors open. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis with both the food court and bar open from midday. QPR v Fulham and Sunderland v Manchester United will be shown live from 12.30pm and Liam McGrandles provides his usual pre-match entertainment, playing all your favourite Celtic songs.<\/em><\/p>\n

1.30pm<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Stadium opens.<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve a bumper day planned for our young fans at the BT Sport Celtic Family Stand (Sections 115 \u2013 117 of Lisbon Lions Lower). Our amazing resident face painter is back by popular demand, while the team from Topps will be handing out Match Attax trading cards. As well as our usual Xbox games zone, Hoopy the Huddle Hound will be on hand to meet fans before the game.<\/em><\/p>\n

The official matchday programme will be available around Celtic Park and for a special combined price of just \u00a34 fans can also get their hands on the latest issue of the Celtic View.<\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s another chance to scoop \u00a310,000 on Saturday with the Paradise Windfall. Tickets will be available throughout the stadium until kick-up off and the lucky winner will be picked at half-time. Look out for Windfall staff wearing the famous yellow jerseys.<\/em><\/p>\n

3pm<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Kick-off. It’s time to back the Bhoys to victory! C\u2019mon the Hoops!<\/em><\/p>\n

4.45pm<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

On the final whistle, the Kerrydale Bar re-opens and Liam McGrandles will again be performing. We\u2019ll also have live action with Livingston v Hibernian and Chelsea v Newcastle United showing before the bar closes at 7pm.<\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s still time to get your tickets for the game\u00a0ONLINE<\/strong><\/a>, by calling 0871 226 1888*, by visiting the Ticket Office at Celtic Park or from selected Celtic stores; Argyle Street, Clydebank, Coatbridge, East Kilbride, Greenock.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, at 9am , the shop opens, an hour and a half later the ticket shop opens, then a further hour and a half later the bar opens.<\/p>\n

give it another hour and a half and the ground opens, in case the kids need a pee after travelling for hours, and an hour and a half after that, the game starts, which lasts for—an hour and a half!<\/p>\n

Fuck me, no wonder crowds are down.<\/p>\n

Fair enough, they have tried to jazz it up, but even the most fanatical supporter would argue that they are pushing it a bit by describing the windfall staff as wearing “the famous yellow jerseys ” .<\/p>\n

Still, as long as the players and the shirts fetch the right price, who gives a fuck ?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We could do so much more.<\/p>\n

We could offer , say, \u00a350 to the supporter who spots the man who clearly isn’t a Celtic fan.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We could give away \u00a0new shirts to kids in a sort of raffle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

not everyone can afford to keep up with the many changes in merchandise, so occasionally giving a few away would help to get the kids interested. They are the future, mind.<\/p>\n

Family finance plays a big part in planning trips to the games, and not everyone can go all the time.<\/p>\n

Some people have urgent domestic troubles to deal with first. Like Clare, for instance;<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The board don’t understand how tough it is for us who follow the team.<\/p>\n

For those of you going to the game today, you’ll be hoping that Celtic crank it up a notch and give Ross County a damn good thrashing.<\/p>\n

Those of you watching on livestreams or listening on the radio will be hoping the same.<\/p>\n

Ronny Deila will be straining at the leash to let people know he hasn’t given up just yet, and will fight for the respect of fans, the respect of players and send a great big get it up ye to the world of Scottish football, which has done nothing but sneer at him since he got here, with all his fancy dan ideas about sports science,and his attempts to revolutionise the way Celtic play.<\/p>\n

For an example of his thinking, have a read of what the clubs Scandinavian scout sees as his remit…<\/p>\n

Scandinavian scout opens up<\/a><\/p>\n

Worryingly, at first, he mentions “selling on ” players, but further in, thankfully, thats not the priority.<\/p>\n

He’ll be hoping Bankier doesn’t read that.<\/p>\n

On to todays game, and manager Deila has said that Patrick Roberts might not get as much game time as his Manchester City overlords might want…<\/p>\n

“This is 18 months and he needs time to adapt to how we train and play\u00a0He also had some injuries before he arrived, so he still needs to get better fitness-wise.<\/em><\/p>\n

“We\u2019ve spoken with him a lot and he has skills, which means he can do something at this level.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“He was up and down in the Under-20 game, but there were times he was at a fantastic level. He scored a very good goal and has touch and vision. We have to use this first half of the year to get him adapted, but I\u2019m not saying he can\u2019t be involved. Hopefully he can kick on as quickly as possible,”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

He doesn’t want him, does he ?<\/p>\n

Fair play to him if thats the case, and if he is standing up to Lawwell and his “here’s a player , can you sort him out for a mate ? ” policy, then we need to support him in this.<\/p>\n

If we can make ronny feel like he has our support, maybe he will feel a little more confident, and maybe things will improve on the pitch.<\/p>\n

Maybe we can get behind the players today as well. After all, you have to feel for them with bosses in the boardroom like they have.<\/p>\n

Us against them ?<\/p>\n

Thats the way its always been, hasn’t it ?<\/p>\n

Now, whats the bold Nicola saying here ? Or maybe she’s listening ?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the way, i spent ages chopping pointless and tedious insults and threats \u00a0again from yesterdays Diary. Last night and this morning.<\/p>\n

That’s the last warning,<\/p>\n

Next time, I’ll be chopping contributors.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you ever wondered whether you should buy the Ibrox Evening Times again, have a look at the headline here. Remember, this is a club…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/etims.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/make-the-money-dont-let-the-money-make-you-money-quote.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2J7If-2fo","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8642"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8642"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8645,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8642\/revisions\/8645"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etims.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}