There is a cynical law of priorities in journalism.
“If it bleeds it leads.”
Consequently the utter carnage at Ibrox, both financial and football, makes the news on this site.
Of course, the mainstream should also be all over the chaos at Sevco, but they’re not allowed to do that sort of thing.
They have high-Level orders to avoid anything that might upset The People.
Across the city, the story is that of a club being so well run that it purrs like a lovingly cared for high-performance engine.
I recently had a sit down with someone who is very close to the corporate action at Celtic.
The first thing he had for me was that the plans to expand the South Stand were being looked at anew.
Back when Fergus was rebuilding Celtic Park in the 1990s it was considered then to make a complete ‘bowl’ of the stadium.
However, the Bunnet erred on the side of caution and only built the three sides.
Now there is a belief that a re-built South Stand would be value added.
Firstly it would have a drive in section for team coaches.
This would tick a major box for UEFA when it comes to deciding whether or not a stadium can host a European final.
Secondly, the dressing rooms would be enlarged and indoor warm up facilities would be put in place.
As well as that the capacity of the stadium could be increased by 10,000/15,000.
That sounds impressive and with an engaged Dermot Desmond I wouldn’t rule any of this out.
It certainly fits the profile since the plans were announced to build a hotel on the Celtic Park site.
My guy said to me “we could sell the corporate boxes several times over”.
So business is good.
Very good.
This is clearly the Brendan effect.
As regular readers will recall I had flagged up the possibility of such an infusion of investment from the Middle East.
Apparently, when I broke this story there was something close to panic among several members of the Sevco High Command.
Bless…
Now I’m told that talks are at an “advanced” stage.
As I stated back then stadium naming rights would almost certainly be involved,
A ten-year contract would do nicely thank you very much!
شكرا جزيلا
As a guide to these sort of things, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) did a deal with AVIVA for the new Lansdowne Road stadium in 2009.
That brought in €44 million over ten years.
You can read about that deal here.
Given that was almost a decade ago and the potential investors are from the Middle East then I think that figure can be enlarged if the deal goes through.
The fact that this potential Persian Gulf windfall arrived on the back of the Palestinian Flag display in the Champions League indicates that sometimes good things come out of just doing what’s right.
The thing that clinched it for the high net worth individuals in Dubai was the fact that the UEFA fine was matched and then some, with the monies being sent to Palestinian charities.
After that, the door was opened for Celtic to pursue various possibilities if they wished.
When I finished lunch with my guy I was struck with just how difficult it must be for anyone to drive an anti-Celtic narrative in the mainstream media at the moment.
I almost felt sorry for them.
Almost.
I think it is fair to say that my heart doesn’t bleed for them…
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Repairs the leaking roof in ES1, ASAP!
Why have Palestinian Refugees not been welcome in the EU for sixty years but Syrian refugees are ok?
I guess the Palestinian governments didn’t want an easy exodus thus facilitating Zionist policy.
Anyway surely it’s an Arena not a Bowl?
I recall a certain Glasgow rag describing Ibrox as an arena. A rectangle and four sheds, how uneducated. The Roman source of “Arena” was a chariot racing circuitous/ Oval facility Ben Hur style.
If the south stand is developed then The Emirates Celtic Arena would be appropriate. A complete circuitous/ Oval stadium.
great article Phil it certainly is mouth watering hope to hear more in the future
Phil your a credit to journalism but for me the board would have to catagoricly state a 10 to 15 year plan we ve been let down so many times by the suits only last year top section of the stadium was mostly closed celtic till we die .pat lamot
Naming rights money would be great but…..no more Celtic Park?
Have me doubts….
Great article Phil, a taster of what is to come
I remember being in awe of the scale of the South Stand when it was built those years ago, how times have changed, the completion of the, ‘bowl’, as you call it is something that I and many Celtic supporters have wished to see since Mr.Fergus McCann delivered on his promises. It has been a few years since our home European Cup nights in front of 75,000 plus. The atmosphere at Celtic Park on such nights, already without peer will be a wonder to comprehend when such plans come to fruition
An upward trajectory on all fronts, sustainable, strategic partnerships and sponsorships abound with year on year growth on and off the field is now being detailed by Mr.Dermot Desmond and the Celtic Board of Directors. In any walk of life leadership has to come from the top, we are blessed right now with excellence manifesting itself across all of parts of the Celtic family
Great also to hear of DD’s sons taking a keen interest also
The future is bright, the future is green and white
Any news Phil onplans to expand on the Avenue of Heroes ?, first two on my list would be Willie Maley and Jimmy McGrory
Meanwhile … in other news across the city … the Forces of Darkness continue their second death spiral. Evidence at the trial of Craig Whyte has fatally compromised Stewart Regan and his endorsement of Rangers Euro Licence from yesteryear, the truth is finally crystalising alongside the debts with key witnesses yet to take the stand.
Best Regards
In the Onion Bag
Hi no longer receiving e-mails
can you advise
You are not alone rugland and it seems to have corresponded with Phil’s recent update to his blog – some update, eh ? I recently re-subscribed but it didn’t last long and I too don’t receive Emails now. Found this link on Celtic News from across the web !
Phil, Celtic were fined around £10,000 by UEFA, Match the fine for Palestine generated £180,000 split between to Charity’s after costs… or thereabouts.
It was an excellent effort
Cheers for the good news Phil , sounds very promising
Glad to hear that the stadium and pitch are staying on terra firma.
I Never did fancy the “hover pitch” design which architects were punting a few years back.
Where would the fans go during the build? We are sold out most games. Maybe a glass roof where we look down on the game 🙂
It would be a tremendous effort fir a new South Stand. It would bring in additional extra through everything that you mentioned, and with additional funding with naming rights wouldn’t cost us much.
This may be the case for Celtic but what is your opinion on mobey being more important than values. During the Murray years Celtic should have been competing every other year in the champions league earning 10- 15 million pounds for the privilege. Instead we vorrowed our way to success under Martin Oneil.
The point is we should have more trophies to our history and should not have had to borrow to compete with a cheat. Celtic boards silence regards any form of action or complaint is in my opinion proof that they were aware or complicit in the misgivings within scottish football.
It was the bunnets business plan that is reaping benefit at this moment.