I’m gonna be controversial and side with the scouting department a bit. We Andes up getting Engels and Idah because rodgers placed pressure on the. Card to get it done, and have likely wasted 20m. We get accused of underbidding for players, but maybe that’s what they are worth and the scouts know this. The lad Jakob breum for example, has had one good season, and they’re asking 7m. He may be, the next big thing or he may be a one season wonder til defenders understand his game. However, if we wait and he does it again this season, his value will soar. So it’s a punt really and 7m is an expensive punt. 3m with a hefty sell on percentage seems more reasonabl
Great analysis again James. Any heat directed at the board should be solely as Desmond’s door. Fully on board with it not being an ambition issue but an operational one. Think it takes a disaster for him to finally give up the amount of say he wants
Forget player purchases... What might Celtic invest in that could accelerate our performance or give us a competitive advantage, either on the field or off it for years to come? Surely there's a good use for the money that doesn't put us at risk of FFP sanctions?
James, I heard from a reliable source, working in insurance, within the City of London that Celtic have been taking out insurance policies to cover them if they fail to get through the the Champions League qualifiers. If this is true would it show in the annual accounts? Have you heard of this before within the industry.
I was incredulous but this does seem to explain the boards behaviour year on year in failing to provide quality players in a timely manner.
First I have heard this - pretty wild if accurate (not doubting you or your source).
There could be a theoretical rationale for doing something like this on a standalone basis if the buyer believes the coverage is materially mis-priced.
Outside of that scenario, I cannot come up with why they would go to that expense and trouble given the copious amounts of "self-insurance." Maybe tax planning?
Great episode guys and more excellent analysis from James. The insight provided on the show with Laura and again today expose the absence of a strategy from the Board and their overall level of competence. Personally I do think they lack some ambition (despite managing prudently) but their big gap is competence as James says. Won’t change until DD departs. Thanks.
It is clear to me that Desmond is the issue and in order that the club can progress he needs to move on
Are there any alternatives out there? Surely one of these sporting organisations in the US would see Celtic as a good investment/ opportunity to get into European football?
Would it take a disastrous season to rouse the Super Scoreboard/Facebook Sellick Da types?
C'mon money men, finger out. 2 wingers and a left back, each starter level...MINIMUM! We need that UCL cash injection and doing well til we get tired and the opposition bring on fresh legs with quality and take us late on because we are relying players capable versus St Mirren but not at the UCL level .. those last 30 minutes cost us. The predictableness of the collapse is dispiriting too.
The Ajax score line makes terrible reading but I don't read too much into it. CCV was rusty, Cal Mac had a bad preseason warm up match, and the team that ended up was weaker and arguable had player out of position with Inamura at left back rather than LCB or even converted to CDM.
The fans on YouTube did NOT like BR saying it wasn't a 5-1 but our expert analyst Juco confirmed it, the stats were roughly equal to the previous win just we conceded a goal handled in the build up and 2 unsavable screamers. 2-1 is easier to take, no? According to transfermarkt's total market value figures, Celtic v Ajax is €126.15m v €219.95m, 2-1 seems about right on paper.
Context (thanks Google!):
AFC Ajax/Celtic FC's average annual revenue for the fiscal years ending June 2020 to 2024 are 181.2m Euros (£158.38m in today's conversion rate)/£117.6 million.
Turns out, in football, as in life everywhere else (sadly), money matters. Board? Less conservative doesn't mean be economically irresponsible, but speculate to accumulate! HH
It’s an interesting point well made that Rodgers may be a bigger part of the problem than people think. He’s clearly unhappy, but doesn’t seem as angry as someone in his position should be. That may be down to maturity and a confidence that players will eventually arrive, or may be down to the fact that he’s not “signed off” on players that have been suggested to him.
I’m gonna be controversial and side with the scouting department a bit. We Andes up getting Engels and Idah because rodgers placed pressure on the. Card to get it done, and have likely wasted 20m. We get accused of underbidding for players, but maybe that’s what they are worth and the scouts know this. The lad Jakob breum for example, has had one good season, and they’re asking 7m. He may be, the next big thing or he may be a one season wonder til defenders understand his game. However, if we wait and he does it again this season, his value will soar. So it’s a punt really and 7m is an expensive punt. 3m with a hefty sell on percentage seems more reasonabl
Great analysis again James. Any heat directed at the board should be solely as Desmond’s door. Fully on board with it not being an ambition issue but an operational one. Think it takes a disaster for him to finally give up the amount of say he wants
Forget player purchases... What might Celtic invest in that could accelerate our performance or give us a competitive advantage, either on the field or off it for years to come? Surely there's a good use for the money that doesn't put us at risk of FFP sanctions?
That was a lovely tribute to John Fallon,👌
James, I heard from a reliable source, working in insurance, within the City of London that Celtic have been taking out insurance policies to cover them if they fail to get through the the Champions League qualifiers. If this is true would it show in the annual accounts? Have you heard of this before within the industry.
I was incredulous but this does seem to explain the boards behaviour year on year in failing to provide quality players in a timely manner.
First I have heard this - pretty wild if accurate (not doubting you or your source).
There could be a theoretical rationale for doing something like this on a standalone basis if the buyer believes the coverage is materially mis-priced.
Outside of that scenario, I cannot come up with why they would go to that expense and trouble given the copious amounts of "self-insurance." Maybe tax planning?
Great episode guys and more excellent analysis from James. The insight provided on the show with Laura and again today expose the absence of a strategy from the Board and their overall level of competence. Personally I do think they lack some ambition (despite managing prudently) but their big gap is competence as James says. Won’t change until DD departs. Thanks.
And Martin love your incredible knowledge about Celtic. You bring back so many memories 👍
Very much appreciated, Brian. Thank you so much💚👍
Excellent analysis James
It is clear to me that Desmond is the issue and in order that the club can progress he needs to move on
Are there any alternatives out there? Surely one of these sporting organisations in the US would see Celtic as a good investment/ opportunity to get into European football?
Would it take a disastrous season to rouse the Super Scoreboard/Facebook Sellick Da types?
RIP Mr Fallon.
C'mon money men, finger out. 2 wingers and a left back, each starter level...MINIMUM! We need that UCL cash injection and doing well til we get tired and the opposition bring on fresh legs with quality and take us late on because we are relying players capable versus St Mirren but not at the UCL level .. those last 30 minutes cost us. The predictableness of the collapse is dispiriting too.
The Ajax score line makes terrible reading but I don't read too much into it. CCV was rusty, Cal Mac had a bad preseason warm up match, and the team that ended up was weaker and arguable had player out of position with Inamura at left back rather than LCB or even converted to CDM.
The fans on YouTube did NOT like BR saying it wasn't a 5-1 but our expert analyst Juco confirmed it, the stats were roughly equal to the previous win just we conceded a goal handled in the build up and 2 unsavable screamers. 2-1 is easier to take, no? According to transfermarkt's total market value figures, Celtic v Ajax is €126.15m v €219.95m, 2-1 seems about right on paper.
Context (thanks Google!):
AFC Ajax/Celtic FC's average annual revenue for the fiscal years ending June 2020 to 2024 are 181.2m Euros (£158.38m in today's conversion rate)/£117.6 million.
Turns out, in football, as in life everywhere else (sadly), money matters. Board? Less conservative doesn't mean be economically irresponsible, but speculate to accumulate! HH
It’s an interesting point well made that Rodgers may be a bigger part of the problem than people think. He’s clearly unhappy, but doesn’t seem as angry as someone in his position should be. That may be down to maturity and a confidence that players will eventually arrive, or may be down to the fact that he’s not “signed off” on players that have been suggested to him.
It's a pretty sad state of affairs when your ability to get rid of poorly recruited players is the biggest strength in your whole recruitment process!