Last night as Celtic efficiently dismantled Astana I suspect that some Quintessentially British upper lips in the press area became decidedly unstiffened.
This time last year Brendan Rodgers took players he had just met and fashioned them into a team capable of qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League.
Twelve months on he knows much more about his charges.
In the pre-match presser, he sounded confident of the outcome.
For me, the pass from Olivier Ntcham to Leigh Griffiths, who then played in James Forrest to score on 79 minutes, showed the Rodgers effect in stark relief.
The tie is not completely over, but if Celtic nick a goal in central Asia then their Kazakh opponents will require to score seven.
Not impossible, but unlikely.
Two nil would have been a reasonable enough advantage to take to Kazakhstan, but five is a game changer.
A journalist has the privileged position of being tasked with compiling the first rough draft of history.
That is why I consider it to be a professional honour to have been in place to chart the self-destruction of Rangers FC and to present the autopsy in book form.
Yes, dear reader, I enjoyed their downfall.
Since then I have charted the calamitous journey of Sevco.
I have done this because, like the terminal illness of Rangers, the local media have been deliberately looking the other way.
This rough drafting of history is a serious task.
Facts must always be sacred while opinions must stay free.
For the second season in a row now Celtic will have a revenue stream that is not available to any other SPFL club.
The Sevco High Command had made financial projections based on the monies available in the group stages of the Europa League.
Sadly, there was little Progrès on that front.
Instead, more emergency funding will be required in a few weeks in September.
The figure I gave been given is between £4m-£4.5m
Remember that last year £2.9m was required in October.
So twelve months on a bigger sum required a month sooner.
Not good.
Not good at all.
The figure for September would not have been needed if the five-year-old club had made it to the group stages of the Europa League.
Instead, they made less than £200k from their hilarious odyssey to Luxembourg.
The good news for the chaps in the Blue Room is that Celtic in the Champions League means that all SPFL clubs will receive a “solidarity payment”.
It should be around £365k for all the eligible clubs in the top flight in Scotland.
Therefore, Celtic have made more European revenue for the Holding Company Vehicle than the Pedro and his lads managed!
Amongst the Sevco High Command, there is some high-Level concern that a few of the local media might be straying dangerously off message.
It is important to keep the chaps on the sports desk obedient, especially as some difficult to stomach news is coming down the pipe.
There is the small matter Take Over Panel, the dire financial situation of a club that bet the farm on European income and a manager that thinks that blabbing about “tactical periodization” will cover up the fact that he’s actually rather shite.
Yesterday I was told that two members of the Sevco High Command were already gaming out a post-Pedro scenario at the Engine Room Subsidiary.
Of course, it is results dependent, but another defeat or two could see the mood music becoming increasingly hostile.
Which is a shame, as I rather like Senhor Pedro Miguel Faria Caixinha.
I find him entertaining and I generally have a soft spot for the Portuguese as they’re easily the most likable folk in Europe.
Meanwhile, across the city, Celtic purrs like a well-tuned engine in every aspect of the operation.
The notion that Sevco are rivals to the Parkhead outfit is utterly risible.
However, few in the local media are laughing.
Celtic have no rivals in Scotland.
The second club in Scotland is now Aberdeen and Hibernian under Neil Lennon look like they mean business this season.
Hearts and Jamie Walker can turn up the heat on Sevco this Saturday if they have the self-belief.
Meanwhile, Celtic supporters have a tune in their heads today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf9LUNB-JsM
It is almost enough to have a staunch stenographer quietly blubbing onto his desk today.
They’re in my thoughts…
An outstanding article on stripped medals and reallocated medals from the BBC with all statistics:
http://m.bbc.com/sport/athletics/40746615
Send to Regan, Doncaster and Lawwell.
It just gets better with the Billy boy inspired petition to UEFA to throw Celtic out of the Champions League…….why, cos it’s no fair so it is.
What a surprise for Pedro’s management team as they gathered at his house on Wednesday night with note books at the ready to run the rule over the Celtic players, formation, tactics etc, only to find their boss was tuned into the Olympiakos game.
Aye right Pedro, bad enough trying to interpret your gobbledegook press conferences, without you telling porkies into the bargain.
What a banger…….courtesy of KM.
Peter Lawwell calculates we’re in group stages and opens his purse to sign Armstrong.
However, the big wages for Paddy Roberts keeps him cautious until the Astana game is concluded before committing millions. A reverse of five goals is technically possible and Lawwell doesn’t need Roberts for domestic dominance.
Everyone must wait for next week for Group
Stages assurance to be assured of Roberts.
sevco don’t pay back loans….ever.
Phil I agree with you the Portugese are
Very nice people indeed but. ” easily the most likeable people in Europe ” Phil you’ll never beat the Irish ! Lol keep up the good work Mo Chara
Celtic scotlands number one football team and proud to be scottish
I read the article again this morning and a phrase jumped out at me?
“The Terminal illness of Rangers”.
I know, well, for that matter, everyone knows that the business model being operated by Rangers* is financial madness, the economics of the mad house indeed. However, it’s nice to receive a gentle reminder that this patient is beyond help.
Thanks.
you state that more soft loans will be required shortly but what has happened with the claims from mr warburton and his sidekicks for unfair dismissal, have they dropped their claim or is it still ongoing
Smells like PL fixed up a meeting between Doncaster and CSA licky bums to obfuscate the five way myth stumbling block.
Seems a lot of “good guys” have been peddling the insurmountable story of the no title strippingvdue to five way Agreement. It started immediately after Doncaster offered an enquiry into football governance.
Auldheid in here and on the JJ site has peddled this tripe.
One suspects club ties and gratis Euro nite hospitality has been flowing to certain fan rep PL acolytes to help the title stripping calls go away.
Are we being sold out?
Send the Green Brigade into Doncaster.
Good call mate, The job of shop stewards (Board Placemen) was always to persuade the agitator workforce that the bosses were offering a good deal and everyone should return to work.
The bosses normally controlled the shop stewards through Freemasonry and perks and bribes.
Mining and Steel Works comes to mind.
I back this 100%, even called Auldhedi out on it last year when, after his meeting with Regan, his way of speaking changed.
The Masons have long known that the only opposition must be controlled opposition, to keep up the pretence that there’s ‘balance’ and that ‘things even themselves out over a lifetime’.
And I’ve known many a shop steward who sold all of us out when the chips came down, and those who didn’t were blackballed.
Such vice like control runs all odf Scotland, and the UK too.
Going back to SDM’s heyday and their 9 IAR I can’t remember the lack of challenge being an issue in the media.
It was all about the glorious bears and a dynasty that would go on forever.
Now we are being assailed by an increasing number in the media of there being no challenge to Celtic therefore it’s all bad for Scottish football.
Of course we all know that the hidden message is that most of the journos can’t stand to see Celtic ruling the roost and long for a return to the SDM glory days, many of which were fuelled by two illegal tax scams, cheating HMRC of tens of millions of pounds.
Even worse for the journos is that they know the daily good news they are feeding to their customers is mostly guff.
Outgoing and incoming transfer fees are distorted to suit the agenda but deep down they all know that Oldco is never coming back, nor are the glory days.
As long as Brendan is here, building his dynasty, then Glasgow will surely remain Green and White.
Last night’s humbling of Astana was as complete a performance as Celtic Park has seen for many a year.
The annual round of CL qualifiers is difficult in the extreme and next season will be even more so. Raising the coefficient with a couple of decent results in the group stage would be helpful.
I see that Rosenborg went to Amsterdam tonight and came away with a 1-0 victory in the Europa Cup, the home team having been finalists in last year’s competition.
There are no easy games in the qualifying process and for Brendan to take Celtic through in consecutive years speaks volumes for his ability and what he’s brought to the club.
If Celtic’s success and ability to generate money is an issue for other clubs that’s their problem.
Regular CL exposure for the Celtic players who make up half of the national team is surely good as well but don’t expect the media to be running with that narrative.
They would rather be presenting fairy tales courtesy of Pedro and his players when the reality is that after a Pedro presser they gather together in the car park and piss themselves laughing at what they have just heard.
I’ll go out on a limb here and say the Daily Record will be out of business before Sevco win a league title.
Maybe Mr Heated Driveway could promote a new slogan:
We welcome the ChaseManhattan!
Stewart Milne kicks Celtic fans in the nuts regarding our 17 cheated trophies but casually accepts our club’s £365k without a thank you much appreciated.
Indeed all of them offer no thanks. They shouldn’t get a penny till they say thank you.
£4 .5 Mil paid for Ncham . £25.5, in change. i would say that was a notooverybad wee bit of business,H H ,
I thought the young Frenchman strolled the match.
His pass to Griffiths for the fourth goal was sublime.
The young man was different class, great prospect, he’ll be even more relaxed when his mate Moussa is along side him in the team!!
Someone told me on Wednesday night that Zinedine Zidane (sorry that spelling looks a bit iffy) said. “Watch Ntcham and you’re watching the game.” I think as the season progresses we will see more and more what that young man brings to the table.
This is the difference of buying one £4.5m player instead of three £1.5m players.
I’ve been screaming this at Lawwell for ten years.
Incidentally, Nt’cham was subbed off at 60 minutes in the Partick Thistle game. He was the best player on the park. He got slated as a poor show afterwards online including by John James. I presumed this a diversion tactic against Astana readers. Otherwise there’s too many eejits out there don’t know football.
Rodgers got his double substitution wrong in the Thistle game. It should have been James Forrest off not McGregor. Nt’Cham stay on also. Forrest was playing awful but Rodgers grateful for the previous saviour CL goal kept him on. That was weakness.
BR was probably keeping him safe and fresh for Wednesday. The picture is bigger than the BIG Glasgow derby.
Whatever happened to the Dave King press release statements 30 minutes before Celtic CL nights?
That was an hilarious period. I miss them.
Perhaps Jabba could bring them back for the Group Stages?
Oh! The five way Agreement is a ridiculous document and is unlawful. It is a bluff job. None of the five party’s would put it forward in evidence in any court of law.
Who will take EBT titles to CAS?
It’s secret because it’s bonkers unlawful the powers they assumed for themselves and decisions they took.
Accepting Green’s Rangers as the original Rangers breaks Scots law. Original Rangers was a company that went bust. A single legal entity.
If LNS interpreted the SPFL and SFA rules correctly then the deliberately illegal registrations should have resulted in 3-0 reverses in every game. The court would deliver those rules enforcement.
Congratulations to Brendan Rodgers and his management team, particularly Mr Kennedy, the defensive coach who kept a clean sheet last night without two central defenders absent with injury.
It should be noted the result was delivered without Mr Dembele nor Mr Patrick Roberts. Indeed Mr Armstrong was also superfluous to requirements.
A very well done to the excellent Mr Bitton who made Mr Sutton eat his words.
Club Captain Scot Brown bossed them about in his midfield. Celtic Park belongs to the Broony.
Or as Brendan called him, ‘browny’ lol
Haha! I heard that! 😀
BROONIE!!!
In brendan we trust. He has it all planned out. Hopefully we get a good group for once in the champions league.
There’s a rumour on Sevco street that a trillionaire with wealth off the Hubble is going to over be over investing in the club that John ( grtrc) Brown once played for. It is understood that his ship is currently in transit from Alpha Centauri and is due to arrive by the weekend.
On contacting ,Keech he confirmed ,tentatively, that he had heard that story also.
Do you think that it will appear in news outlet anytime soon?
I just thought that the public should know about this earthshattering news!
Many thanks Phil for making my days.
Aye, it’s the rag n bone man wI his balloons and tooting hooters.
They’re all very rich, you know, and live in palatial mansions bedecked in opulence and gold and can’t wait to piss it all away on Sevco.
No, wait, not that last bit …
And if Southampton eventually sell Van Dijk, will that not result in more sell on money for Celtic? Light years ahead. Cupping my ears in delight at all this good news. What a time to be alive.
Don’t be cupping your ears – it’s illegal, don’tchaknow?!! There’ll be a big queue all the way from Edmiston Drive, all the way to the front door of Helen Street polis office!!
Euro money keeping their lights on. Their dream come true………. All thanks to Celtic FC founded 1888.
Long may King remain involved.
Is their stadium safe?
It’s safe for them.
In fact, it’s the only refuge they have left! 😀
Thinking about the soft loan required in June as the ST monies rolled in and the further soft loans required before Xmas.
Yes money has gone out on transfer fees, how much we don’t actually know because any number printed by the press just can’t be believed.
It’s almost as if the ST money was gone before it came in. Were significant payments made to Puma and Sports Direct to avoid breach of contract charges and to smooth the path of the new deal ‘negotiated’ by Kingco?
Puns not on video wall this year! That not paying enough to appear?
Give Pedro a break. At Ibrox he’s doing the work of two men – Laurel & Hardy.
He’s a good tim, so cut him some slack
😀 😀 😀
Pl ?
Not a word of thanks from the ungrateful about the £365k donation from UEFA on the back of Celtic’s efforts.
Nt’cham looks as if he could be the best buy of the lot, he was an inspiration in midfield.
I notice one of the Rangers blogs likening Astana to a pub team, just like progres. Let’s go along with that one for a moment…..Celtic gave the pub team a severe doing, Rangers failed to over come the 4th best pub team in Luxembourg. They don’t do irony over Ibrox way.
Fair play to Bitton, did his job well, so many positives….’Cham,Lustig, Forrest, Griffiths and a back to form Sinclair.
Real progress will be European football after Xmas, either CL or Europa Cup. Brendan said we would be better than last year, he’s not wrong. Pot 3 would be a bonus and surely the Group can’t be any more difficult than last season’s?
Meanwhile Pedro and Tavernier go back to the future at today’s press conference………learning on the job, training fantastically well and getting stronger with every defeat……all has a familiar ring to it but just can’t place where I’ve heard it before!
They normally roll out perennial apologizer, Kenny Miller, post a defeat.
Epithets such as “it’s not good enough” and “the fans deserve better” have been clearly over used.
Surely every manager is allowed a fist pump on pumping Sevco at Ibrox?
One gripe, when you said every aspect of Celtic’s operation. The PR department is quite frankly non-existent and been asleep at the wheel since its inception.
Phil, many of my comments have been unfair and due to a lack of Sevco dying – probably hoping for more ground breaking exclusives on an ‘every day’ basis. That has been unfair and I would like to apologise unreservedly, and genuinely. The debt of gratitude we owe you is immeasurable. I hope you will understand my position, however wrong I have been. Best wishes.
Kieran
Oh dear
Well, I tried! Good luck anyway. You’ve been immense over the years and I wish you further success. Go nDia an t-adh duit!
Rfc logo and club1872 on gears video wall? Why are real sponsors not willing to pay to appear behind manager interviews for every game at ibrox… developing story or the cold shoulder biting?
No shirt maker….? Very odd
Just sports direct (for peanuts)?
Perhaps you should add “Coroner” to your list of professional accomplishments.
£4-4.5 Million……..OUCH!
They must think someone is made of money.
I will stick my neck out right now and say Celtic will not get 10 in a row….
they will get Celtic 15 in a row….
at least.
Perhaps you should add “Coroner” to your list of professional accomplishments.
£4-4.5 million…..OUCH!
They must think someone is made of money.
How can it not be good for Celtic to be in the CL, it’s not about the rest of Scottish Football or the rest of Scottish Football would have been insisting the team that played out of Ibrox pre liquidation would have lost their titles a long time ago.
There seems be a bit of an irony, in that, a club with humble beginning and formed on a charitable basis is now providing the benefits of its success to other in the form of 365k per team in the SPFL. Bro Walfrid the man would have taken heart from this generousity and distribution of wealth, except the beneficaries already have enough to eat maybe they could gift their share to charities as i am sure they would not like to think they merely take whilst they snipe and refuse to back the hand that feeds.
Now was it just coincedence as like the Barcelona Tony Watt game Celtic had their 125 year old birthday and this week as we compete in Europe the place where it began celebrates a birthday of 175 years of age. Billy McNeil understood when he was to be given the honour of been the captain of the first Scottish and British club to win the big cup, he claims there is a fairytale about this club and he is right.
They tend to win firsts,set records,record Euro landmarks and all with great dignity and well won achievements and, if you know the history, need i go on.
There is no secret magic potions used or divine intervention and there is no malice at this club it is achieved through endevuor, hard graft and is supported by passion and feeling of belonging and this when in full flow is worth more than money could ever buy. it was no fluke 11 guys from working class backgrounds achieved what they achieved in domestic and in Europe. Hail hail to the team last night and long may it continue and our backing is always and will be genuine in appreciation of the joy they bring to the many spread througout the world.
The second club in Scotland may be Aberdeen but the second best team in Scotland is also Celtic’s, as seen in the league cup last week.
With three more possible signings on the way, it looks like it will be Celtic fulfilling Murray’s pipe dream of having a team for Europe, a team for the league and another one for the cups the only difference being that they’re all interchangeable.
Hurting much, Billy?
Phil, you mention eligible clubs, which clubs are ineligible? Thanks
Liam
My understanding is that the solidarity payment is for clubs in the domestic top flight.
Moreover, there are stipulations on how it is to be spent, e.g. youth development.
That would leave sevco out of the equation, as I believe they still take their youth players down to the Govan branch of Boots the Chemist for development!
I suppose the SFA will be relying on their normal checking methods, self certification. We know how well that’s worked in the past for the club, company, thingy operating out of Ibrox.
SFA.. Did you use the money to further and promote the development of youth football within your club?
Club..yes Stuey we did, honest.
If Rangers suddenly find another £350k or so to add to the rumoured £650k already knocked back by Hearts it will be purely coincidental.
So no paying debts with it then? Not that they pay their debts, mind… LOL!
I heard a member of the Sevco board is refusing to continue turning his pockets inside out …
It’s not going down to well in the guardian where it’s says Celtics qualifying for the group stages isn’t good for the rest of Scottish clubs. Oh how they like to put a dampener on things. Over to ibrokes and I hear that the soft loans might be no longer forthcoming. Good luck and keep up the good work
You’re a hoor !
FYI – a CSC being formed in Cathair na Mart and as someone with Covie blood , you are very welcome to join.
Tabhair aire.
Sign me up!
Surely there’s one on Achill? Isn’t that enough?
There is indeed, however, can there ever be enough?
Not good? Not good at all? Wrong, it’s absolutely fantastic.
And while I don’t mind and even applaud your attempt to enlighten the deluded ostriches as to the financial shortcomings at ibrox, I do wish you would ease off on El Ped lest they actually listen to you for once and attempt to replace hime with someone more competent but less comical, a la warburtun perhaps?
Maybe Celtic could lend them the money in September. ( Thumbs up )