In a few hours, it will get real again for the biggest club in Scotland.
Celtic were last in competitive action on May 19th against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup.
It was the final hurdle between the Hoops and the Double Treble.
Since then it has been battery recharging time, pre-season training and friendly matches.
Now they have real live opponents again in FC Alashkert of Armenia.
It will be a difficult task in the searing heat of Yerevan.
Brendan Rodgers will have some selection dilemmas, but the left-back berth will not be one of them
Kieran Tierney is a very safe bet for that position.
Indeed, the young academy graduate is a key part of how Celtic under Brendan Rodgers goes about their business.
During the close season, the “Tierney to Everton” story was big news.
The possibility of this transfer going through was greedily grasped by the Stenography Corps.
The idea that the all-conquering Celtic squad would be weakened is very pleasing for their dignified demographic.
However, it rather missed the central point and that is that there is genuine equity in the Parkhead squad.
For example, I cannot recall a Sevco player, who only had one year of his contract remaining, being sold for £7m.
Can you?
If the young left back had decided on a move to the EPL then the Parkhead club would have received a fee that Sevco could only dream of getting for one of their players.
Moreover, the biggest club in Scotland does not have to pretend that there is interest from other clubs.
When the story broke I called a Gaoth Dobhair man of my acquaintance.
He chuckled and said he had been waiting on hearing from me and said that he had just spoken to “KT” himself.
This didn’t surprise me and it was the reason for me calling him.
“He doesn’t want to go. Full stop!” was the powerful scéal that he had for me.
After I spoke to himself I called a chap in Agentland and he put things to me from his perspective.
He calmly pointed out that Celtic has the equivalent of three UCL Group Stages revenue in Boyata, Dembélé, Šimunović and Tierney.
I said that was not how a fan would view those four players, especially “KT”.
He countered by saying that supporters don’t have to take those hard business decisions.
Of course, Celtic are in the fortunate position of not having to sell any player.
When those dire circumstances are extant then the selling price can be depressed if the news gets out that the club is in a cash crisis.
No matter how much the Stenography Corps would wish it to be otherwise the Parkhead club is the richest in Scotland by some distance.
For example, Celtic can spend more on one player than Mr Gerrard will have to re-build the Sevco squad.
Moreover, that isn’t a self-destructive hubristic splurge.
Rather, it is part of a sustainable business plan.
In three hours it gets real for the Hoops and flying up the wing in Yerevan will be a young homegrown star who the stenographers had hoped would not be there.
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That’s what I like about your blog, Phil – you are meticulous, deliberate and very well researched. I know I can trust what you write unlike others who have to sensationalise their “scoops”. Keep up the great work.
If KT has a really good season , this season, especially in Europe , then id be telling agents that you need £50m to talk to Celtic about him.
Otherwise. ..
“Naw”
Keep at em, Phil
Kieran Tierney – his stars getting bright and will shine brighter as his career develops at Celtic – a genuine Celtic fanatic – I wish we could clone him for right back. 100% , 24/7 , he will become a legend at Paradise.
Every Celtic fan out there loves you KT – I hope to God you’re here to help make it 10 in a row?
Is the Trinity on…..
Great result for the Bhoys,looks to be….
???signed,sealed and delivered.???
Thanks again Phil,5* as per.Appreciated✅
Breaking News
KT set to join Ronald as Juve table a 125 million euro offer. Kt thought to be the key to securing a Champions League title for the Turin club. Over said to be 10 million more the PSG’s failed bid.
The journa..losts did crank it up a level this time regarding KT and his imminent departure. It smelled of shite the whole time.
Instead of praising Celtic and promoting Scottish football these clowns will now give us the withering pish on how he has no ambition, stuck in his comfort zone etc etc.
If it really is that good down south then why dont they try and get a job with one of the rags down there themselves?
Mind you i don’t think there’s much of an appetite for the jackass brothers Chris and Keith to be honest. Still how funny would it be watching them trying to get away with their special form of journalism down there? Me thinks they would be on the first easyjet flight back home to their master Traynor.
I’m sure they’ll re-group and go at KT again…a bit like McNee used to continually try and punt Henrik long before he left.
Just excellent. KT is part of the long term plan. All the best to the bhoys for this qualification campaign. Hail Hail!!
Another couple of seasons and KT will have the pick of the top 6 in the EPL, if he so wishes, or options in Europe.
£25m will get the ball rolling. Man Unt set the bar when they paid £30m plus for Shaw and he’s struggled for game time.
Strange that King hasn’t jetted in for todays court hearing, given the importance of merchandising income to the club. You would have thought that he would be the star witness for the defence and he could have explained first hand to M’Lud how that nasty Ashley had stitched him up.
But hey, as they say in the Bears Den, King knows exactly what he’s doing and he’s leading the long overdue fight back against the haters.
Hopefully KT sticks t up stenography arses. Sideways.
Ah well Phil, I don’t think you will be accused of plagiarising that piece when it is in stark contrast to what we’ve been hearing elsewhere. Tsk Tsk.
Great news that the team are starting the campaign today with KT an integral part of the club and indeed Brendan’s first name on the team sheet. I hope they all fare well. HH
I have had no direct contact with the player.
However, the man that I spoke to has know KT and his family since he was a wee fella.
Here’s hoping he never leaves!
Mon the Hoops ….. Hail Hail .
Would love KT to put out a social media “NAW” type comment out!
Mon the hoops!!!!