When the January window opened I said that the Admirable Warburton would be in the market for free players.
Moreover, he had been instructed by the Sevco High Command to operate on a wage reduction/wage neutral basis.
There was also the ardent hope that a major player could be sold to alleviate their cash crisis.
The attempt to generate interest in the Six Million Pound Man was amateurish in the extreme.
Barrie McKay might develop into a fine player, but if he had been plying his trade at, say, Pittodrie, such an inflated valuation would be laughed at.
Moreover, those laughing loudest would have been the stenographers on the sports desks in Glasgow.
I’m fairly certain that the auditors of Rangers International Football Club (RIFC) had a reasonable expectation that revenue would be generated from player sales in January.
My information is that the initial tranche for Matt Gilks was the same as the sum demanded up front by Port Vale for Jak Alnwick: £190k.
Therefore, the money for the hero of the League Cup semi-final didn’t even get to rest in Sevco’s account.
The good news apropos the finances is that the new keeper is on substantially less of a salary than Gilks was earning at the Engine Room Subsidiary.
Indeed a saving of as much as £5k per week could have been made.
Although such a sum is petty cash for the big club in Glasgow at little Sevco, it is a major help.
The £60k down payment for the Port Vale keeper was “all that was available…”
All that was available.
I’ll just leave that there.
Impressive over-investment.
Whatever it takes.
When the Admirable Warburton had his sit down with the Sevco High Command last week, he had given up on any ideas of getting transfer funds.
However, he did want new deals for Clint Hill and Kenny Miller.
So far those veteran stalwarts have not been presented with contract extensions.
When the ex-City trader was taken to task on his record in the transfer market was brought, up he pointed out that Monsieur Barton and Niko Kranjčar were not his choices.
The Admirable Warburton was able to bring in two free players to bolster the Sevco midfield.
He’s clearly building for the future, that is if he doesn’t see beyond the summer.
Loans are certainly a popular way of doing business at Sevco.
Both for bringing in players and for keeping the lights on.
Payroll was met by three directors.
For the avoidance of doubt, Mr David Cunningham King was not one of the trio who stumped up.
They now have to cope with February and March.
Bills and salaries will have to be paid in those months, but because of match day revenue from home games (there wasn’t really any of that in January) the sum they will have to find will be much less.
However, there might also be a whopping bill around Saint Patrick’s Day if General Ashley can marshal his court room battalions effectively.
The Sports Direct counter-offensive would be worrying for any company who was bracing for legal impact on this one.
However, the Engine Room Subsidiary remains a loss-making business without a credit line from a bank.
Therefore, their starting position is especially weak.
Some of the directors of the Holding Company Vehicle will have to keep bailing out this basket case until the season ticket money comes in at the end of this campaign.
Moreover, quite soon a senior functionary of the Sevco High Command could once more be in conclave with chaps at Hampden.
Those stadium problems haven’t gone away you know.
You see dear reader the problem with planning to affix nets to a strong point is that said sturdy fixtures have to be extant in the first place.
Across the Clyde Celtic actually spent millions to sign a quality young player.
Dashed unsporting of them if you ask me.
Kouassi Eboue will undoubtedly add energy and strength to a midfield that is already without equal in Scotland.
Of course, it is never over the line until it is all the way over the line and nearly there isn’t enough in these matters.
Consequently, I think that Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed with the failure to land Bojan.
My information is that the problem wasn’t at the Parkhead and that the offer for the Spanish playmaker would have been a club record.
Perhaps there just wasn’t enough love in that cup at Stoke…
Instead of fantasy valuations for a player who has had half a season in the top flight the biggest club in Scotland were contacted by REAL clubs with REAL money.
Several calls from Sunderland regarding Kieran Tierney were dismissed out of hand.
However, Chelsea did not run away in fright when they heard Celtic’s valuation of Moussa Dembélé.
The Stamford Bridge outfit might well be back in the summer.
Suffice to say that Celtic have a player in their squad who could attract a transfer fee in six months time that is greater than the worth of the club that plays at Ibrox.
To compare and contrast Celtic and Sevco is a rather cruel sport and it probably should be banned.
However, until then…
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When one window closes, another one opens….
DTM,
My team is bigger than their team.
Always was. May 25 1967, remember??
As a friend of mine said to me a few yeards back “Their dream is our reality”.
Chapeau, Clumps, chapeau.
As I read through Warbo’s wish list, I could hear Charlie Brookers voice in my head. You’re not, are you???
Mahatma,
I fear we have no choice in the matter. It looks destined to be the former.
The penny must drop sometime, surely?
I’m not sure why this blog now consistently compares Celtic to Rangers.
It is starting to veer into “my team is better than your team ” stuff.
We all know rangers are skint. The vast majority of rangers fans know this and accept it .
I was not expecting us to spend any money at all this window , nor do I expect Dave King to ever come up with 30 million ,50 million or 1000 billion .
It is what it is .
Let’s Compare…
Celtic number of liquidations 0
Rangers number of liquidations 1
DTM rangers were liquidated and don’t exist and never will again.
Clearly Sevco offloaded the wrong goalie.
This window was all about Sevco wage reduction. It will cost them a few League positions as everyone else strengthened.
They hit their overspend financial peak before Christmas and will never climb to such financial heights again.
If they survive, it’s live within their income level as no sugar figure is picking up the overspend bills. This equates to a top four position going forward. That’s what Sevco fans purchasing power buys. Live with it.
It never rains but it Hail Hails !!!
Warburton is absolutely right, give Kenny Miller and Clint Hill new long term contracts.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/435136/rangers-boss-mark-warburton-confirms-hell-hand-new-deals-to-veteran-stars-kenny-miller-and-clint-hill/amp/
Two weeks later……
ROTFLMFAO.
The four and a half year old club to come fifth.
When the auld legs have gone they’ve gone.
Some observations on tonight’s football offerings.
The new Hearts manager, impressively backed by his Board, has come out of his first transfer window roaring like a lion. He has silenced the pro Sevco SMSM who have been chipping away and trying to undermine Hearts confidence to assist Sevco. There are no faint Hearts at Hearts, on the Board or in the squad.
Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and St Johnstone were all superior to Sevco tonight. Celtic go 25points clear.
Celtic win by a one goal advantage without a noted Striker. What is wrong with Griffiths? Celtic need quality striker cover against better teams.
Celtic kept a clean sheet and Boyata has made a dramatic return with two decisive goals in two games (we need Striker cover). I must comment that I have criticised John Kennedy, the defensive coach, in the past. Particularly on CL nights. However, he deserves praise when he gets it right in domestic competition. Our unbeaten record this year is a reflection of good defending so well done Mr Kennedy on domestic defending performances. Well done on rehabilitating Boyata. May the force be with you.
I’ve called three things right this season that Brendan Rodgers called wrong. He got it right bringing on the defender for Roberts tonight. He’s clearly learned from the Inverness draw, which threw away a win.
Some advice, try Gary MacKay-Steven on the left wing and Sinclair as the Striker. This will reap rewards.
We’re not worthy Rumpole…..
Don’t know why Dermot Desmond bothered spending a lot of money to woo Rodgers to Celtic Park when you were here all alnong…
It’s not an easy one to decide….. do we want to see the new club leave us , never come back and make us all very happy…. or do we want them giving us a great laugh every day in life ?
After tonight’s demolition at Tynecastle I want them to stay around a bit longer and then die forever.
Warburton – mahatma coat.
Yes Mahatma it is a dilema.
I come down on the side of the first scenario, but could live with the other.
Whatever happens it’s a win win situation.
I’d rather laugh at them every day .. like it or not we need the challenge from rangers.. or I’ll rephrase that .. we need rangers to think they will give us a challenge .. Celtic are years ahead of rangers and unless a eejit hun with no business savvy decides to come and throw money down the drain it’s going to take at least a decade to catch us … it happened to us .. we fell so far behind them they win 9 in a row .. the difference was a guy appeared told us exactly what he would do .. build a stadium a team that would win the league and walk away rich .. they got whyte and green.. I know a few rangers fans .. and i would actually feel a little sorry for them until I see the vile posts they constantly put on social media .. so I’d rather just sit and laugh at there idiocy and enjoy us running away from them even more
On balance, and looking at the progress we have made, I would have to say that the presence of a club in the top league that purports to represent the house of Windsor has made us all up our game. I would go to my grave happy if their culture was liquidated from our society. However I have to admit that pummeling these Loyal subjects on and off the pitch is giving me great pleasure.Long may it continue.
Well the chickens are coming home to roost , the snearing that went on in the press toward Celtic and Fergus McCann makes this all the sweeter , snide untruths and lies which a lot of the Celtic support swallowed were spread by those in the media who thought Rangers were the people in the knowledge that they had it all stitched up or so they thought , Celtic due to McCanns business model paved the way for what we see today the bunnet took them on and the rebels won , the then rangers board talked about dignity and the Rangers way , their ship called dignity was skippered by a pirate and its sails filled by the bellows of a compliant press pushing them onward in their journey with a hold full stolen loot , the papers still to this day steer well clear of the truth ” for every pound they put down we’ll put down a tenner ” but who’s tenner ,the gulf is huge both on and off the park ,looks like their tub is taking on water at a rate of knotts ,let’s see if they turn on King ,
Phil – I feel that I must pull you up for unfairly singling out Celtic by stating that we (Celtic) have a player whose worth is greater than that of the total value of sevco… I believe you owe an apology to the National Association of Pound Shops!
You would have thought that Moyes of all people would have known when Celtic have gems they have gems.Tierney is not a guy who will be tempted or read the piss been said about him if you watch him his first glance is towards the fans he is one of us and will not short change his family. And Liecester is not the move for centre backs.
Dembele knows the game his agent has wisened him up he was not noticed down south, or no one was willing to gamble on him,( well played PL plus), and when Celtic came calling he knew it was the step he needs,
in one season he will have played like others under Brendan Rodgers respected top manager in the EPl and will have experienced CL and the winning mentality, this is why it was no suprise chelsea came calling they want to go forward in Europe as it is where the big money is.
The bhoys time will come and he will be tready and so will we to make the transistion from sale of player out and other in we have the making of a good squad and under the right guidance which we have players are willing to wait their turn as it has been proved if you make the grade and the jersey fits it is yours to keep if you want it.
We have came a long way and lets not forget Ronnie Deila he plays his part in his tale if we achieve the goals been aimed at, the press took pot shots at the guy but when it happens he who laughs last etc. Hail Hail
Spurs had a £12million bid for Dembele turned down last January as Fulham wanted to sell then loan back for rest of season! Spurs refused! So they knew about him alright
Pj.
If Fulham had a 12million offer, why did they accept ;£500,000.?
The £500k was not a transfer fee.
It was a development payment.
Cross border rules, Joe.
Technically, the mighty Moussa was a free transfer, with his development fee 150k less than we paid for Henrik Larsson.
I still can’t get over it! 😀
The fee was £7 million
TRIFC transfer window activity is as predictable as DFS having another sale with the exception the latter does have buyers for their goods and as far as I am aware, are not in the antique market either.
As ever, the “gift” that keeps on giving…………marvellous Phil!
The Three Bears must be feeling pretty damned stupid right now – used and abused by King and then expected to pay for the privilege – classic sociopath behaviour from King. They must now decide between burning ever more cash or be forever remembered as the millionaires who were too mean to save Rangers. Their stupidity was trusting King’s RRM credentials (titter ye not) over a mountain of evidence of ruthless dishonesty. Oh well, never mind, it’s only football. 🙂
I catch your drift but Rangers died and they the board must have a bit of the sociopath behaviour in their selves to continue a myth and throw money at the myth. Every duck is a winner the problem been the prize is always the same a goldfish purchased cheap with limited lung length, Miller,Hill,etc.
Peter
Good point – sociopath is definitely a relative term at Ibrox
we bit on the sheep at 8/1 tonight think we could help the sheep along to 2nd place demble super lee doutful fill your boots bhoys
Whit. Bet against your own team. Weirdo
Im not a gambler but how can bet against the Bhoys,that wouldn’t sit right with me !
well you guys illustrate why my friend the bookie works about 12 weeks a year and is a remarkably cheery chap ..bet with your head guys . .not your heart . .
Or just don’t bet on a game your team are playing in.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/new-rangers-goalkeeper-jak-alnwick-9725187
Your information is false Phil. You clearly missed this tremendous addition to the ranks which will undoubtably close the gap
This spending a quarter of a million on a keeper didn’t make any sense until I read they’ve saved 20 grand A MONTH by getting rid of Gilks!
That’s 10 times what they were paying Goram!
Allegedly …
But it makes you wonder where the money’s coming from if they can give that amount, and more, to their 2nd string goalie.
A couple of weeks back I noticed a walk in event at the home of Sevco. It was a Sunday and possibly a development game.
With floodlights on after 3 pm I’m guessing it may have been cash rich until the stewards and electric bill are paid.
Do we know of a break even number when games are played at their crumbling home
Hey Phil…
You’ve really just confirmed all that was patently obvious with this transparency of a club ( their actions that is, not their finances).
As for comparisons… Us Celtic supporters really don’t compare ourselves or our club to ‘them’ any more. The comparisons ( if you can call them that) are all one way and with the support of that reliable media-spin.
Maybe if Newco Rangers had done some honest comparisons of themselves and their predecessor (starting with honesty about being a new club) back in 2012, then they might not find themselves starring again in their own disaster sequel.
One big difference from last time though… Unlike in 2012 when the collusion of the SFA and Scottish media allowed the ‘same club myth’ to establish itself – in 2017 there are too many interested parties watching closely at how things are handled. I just hope those interested parties speak out this time!
After 4 years of respite the ugly cancer returns, no matter what name it goes by it is still the same cancer which attacks every city or town it invades, drastic measures need to be taken to rid us this bile venomous strain.
Unfortunately those who have the remedy for a cure are the SFA SPFL SMSM unfortunately brothers in arms who deny any such cancer exists. HH
I wish to give a donation Phil please give me directions …… yourself and JJ are the only honest reporters of what it is.
Chapeau
Righthand side of the page Henrik.
The roof is literally falling in on the new club right enough.
Aberdeen will also be in second place shortly and I can see them giving it up easily.
Shit and fan colison will make great viewing for us bhoys!
Warbo is the Sevco Freidrich Paulus, promoted to Feld Marshall as he prepares for his army’s utter destruction.
They’re already in the Tractor factory….
4-1 Hearts. Zhukov just launched Operation Uranus …
But Paulus survived, his bosses didn’t
I hope that the shenanigans from Sevco never cease. I remember the pelters we took when on the brink and how they laughed at us. Look who’s laughing now. To quote a few lines from Phil Chevron’s Thousands are Sailing…and we danced to the music and we danced to the music and we danced. Laughing and dancing with total delight at the huns misfortune and our club leaving them trailing on every level is brilliant. Long may it run.
Has anyone checked the fixture list?? With a bit of good fortune, the Bhoys could win the league on 12 Mar at home to Sevco – how nice would that be lol
we keep winning – they drop 3 points – the title would be wrapped up then…. IF the polis & / or the SFA let the match take place….? 😉
What if Aberdeen keep winning we would be 24 points ahead with 30 still to play for Never mind Them
Celtic had won the league by 2 pm on the September 10th.
Wins up to and including March 12th WILL see off Sevco but the SS could postpone the party for another two weeks. From a completely sadistic viewpoint I’d like to see not just the SS but also Hearts, and just for good measure St Johnstone, finish ahead of them.
I am sure the over-investment is coming any day now… No really…
I think it was quite striking that as well as buying a player with actual cash, Celtic managed to keep all the players they wanted to keep during the window. This seems to say something about both the financial position of the club and the level of control that Brendan Rodgers has.
[If I may…] I have been looking into what might have happened to that £6m bid for Barrie McKay…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/01/26/where-is-the-6m-bid/
And I have also been given an exclusive insight into the things which remain on Warbo’s wish list…
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/01/31/mark-warburtons-wish-list/
Your satire has more bite than a Durban aquarium full of Great Whites. Pishing myself, Clumps.
Very kind thanks!
Both articles – brilliant, bloody brilliant!
Clump
The one thing you should never do is underestimate the recruiting ability of Mark Warburton.
I am a lifelong Brentford fan (and a Celtic one as well by dint of being a London born Fenian). Warburton was only manager at BFC for 18 months, but had been a recruiting director of football before that and brought in a group of young players who have proven to have been very lucrative to the club when sold on (Andre Gray to Burnley £9m, Scott Hogan to Aston Villa £15m, James Tarkowski to Burnley, Stuart Dallas to Leeds, I could go on). Still on Brentford’s books is Alan Judge who was the subject of a £6m bid from Newcastle before he broke a leg.
Their is nothing in the football world that I would like more than to see the toxic, racist, sectarian mess that is Sevco, go the way of all flesh! However don’t be too cynical about Warburton, he did great things at Brentford. He is potentially a good manager.
Keep the blog going. HH.
NevC
Very good, Neville, but who has he ‘developed’ at Sevco ..?
Think now …
Phil
That last paragraph.
Chapeau.
“Amateurish in the extreme” but entirely typical of their modus operandi.
They really are the gift that keeps on giving.
The role of the media I’ve always thought is to keep establishment honest and on their toes. Our media religiously consistently hurt the very club they try to protect in their avoidance of the facts
Phil, while Bojan would have been a decent signing and another stake in the heart of the deid klub, I think they are very adept at self harming. The whole wee Barrie charade was an embarrassment, their credibility in world football must be near zero and counting.
I disagree with banning our 5 year old Sevco baiting sport, nothing cruel about seeing cheats (including SFA/MSM etc), tax avoiders and glib/shameless liers get what’s coming. It should only be banned once we have (collectively) helped drive the dagger between the shoulder blades of the Sevco monster, and see it writhe in a sea of it’s own puss and down the drain for once and for all.
I for one haven’t laughed so much as I have the last 5 years, and there’s still life in the old Circus yet, lol.
Bring it on sevco, we welcome the chase,
Whatever it takes.