Senior functionaries in the Sevco High Command couldn’t quite believe the evidence of their eyes yesterday.
The signing of Borna Barišić from Osijek is yet another chunk out of the season ticket pot.
The Convict Chairman wanted to creatively negotiate the payment plan on the never never.
However, Osijek stood their ground and demanded a 40%/30%/30% breakdown or it was no deal.
So a Euro draft had to be raised yesterday and lodged with the Croatian club’s bank.
One senior functionary quipped that the initial tranche had come from monies that had been allocated to ordinary running costs.
It was discussed yesterday that the outlay on players and the additions to the wage bill means that Mr Gerrad will have to navigate the basket of assets to the latter stages of the Europa League.
If he can manage that then the losses will within the usual parameters for the Engine Room Subsidiary.
I think we’ve seen this movie before.
The news that Martyn Waghorn was probably on the move for millions caused the Convict Chairman serious annoyance yesterday.
He admonished the Serious Professional about the paltry fee that Ipswich paid for him.
The Johannesburg based convicted criminal was also seething about the lack of a sell-on clause.
The Serious Professional bit back and pointed out that it was Mr King who couldn’t wait to get the take way eating striker out of the door.
If that wasn’t bad enough for the Sevco functionaries yesterday, then the Convict Chairman announced his desire to continue the legal fight against Big Bad Mike!
Mr King was then told that such a course of action could be characterised as lacking the appropriate level of sanity.
Despite the friction in the Sevco High Command there was some good news from the management team
Sometimes the new broom can rub some old stagers up the wrong way.
Therefore, it was heartening to hear that Mr Gerrard is especially appreciative of Mr Jimmy Bell’s cultural input.
So the Sevco manager has a new player and it is clear that Mr King has put it all on 35 black if not 32Red.
Not to worry though, Dave wasn’t playing with his own money.
He never does.
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Just wanted to add my tuppence worth on the Mcginn situation. As a supporter of Celtic for just over 50 years I usually speak up and defend the club against those who like to knock them. Inside and outside of the club.
However the way the club went about its business in the pursuit of Mcginn was disappointing, frustrating and embarrassing. For 3-4 million quid the club had an opportunity to send out a statement of intent to its supporters, scottish football in general, and sevco in particular. The chance was there to say, we have the funds, and if the right players are available,we are prepared to spend.
Spare me the idea of Hibs played hardball or that they tried to extract an overflated fee for the player. They virtually said,….. this is our evaluation of the player, match it and he’s yours. The idea that he could be got on a pre contract for a lot less is not something the club should be considering. So he’s off to Aston Villa, I wish him all the best.But the club looks amateur in the way it has been handled.
A statement of intent went out when we signed french Eddie but this has been a PR disaster. It’s pretty clear that Brendan is pissed off with the board and no wonder. The past two seasons in particular have been an amazing time to be a supporter of the club and long may it continue.
But if we are to maintain and strengthen our position as the number one club in Scotland the board have to get with it on the transfer money and pay the going rate when the talent is there or we will lose out to the Aston Villa’s of the world.
No offence Phil but after last night and us now staring at a champions league exit I’m more concerned with the lack of activity at our club.
Maybe your “sources” can find out why we couldn’t even sign McGinn
In fairness, Sevco has got a terribly easy draw to get to the group stages and they ought to be able to get through.
I love absolutely love trashing Sevco I love it love it love but above everything else I love Celtic and so does our manager.
I wasn’t convinced about JM being worth £4m but Brendan was, he wanted him, and that’s what really really matters in this scenario. I’m not even sure what he was eventually sold for or if it was anywhere near that.
“Heated Driveway productions”…….BOLLOCKS
……..we are back to the biscuit tin days.
Having watched the cost of transfers in England tonight Celtic are looking incredibly cheap and way way out of date.
I’m not sure, but I’m fairly confident that Celtic have never had £30m + in the bank in their entire history and if the failure to sign JM is down to a “Director of Football” equivalent and PL letting him go solo then someones head needs to roll. Its damaging to the direction of the Club, football management team and the Celtic brand, no question we look cheap and if it turns out to be over a couple of hundred thousand, then feck me, if those responsible haven’t already been asked to clear their desk then Celtic are on a downward spiral once again .
Even at the top end of £4m do I think the current management team would have added value……. absolutely !!!!
This was pish Celtic, amateur hour, and I thought those days had gone for good.
PS For two seasons now our defence has needed improvement and it was shown how inadequate it is again tonight.
Lustig, a warrior without doubt but huge limitations showing and two inexperienced kids.
To be fair at least GLIB backs his manager. The CFC accounts might look good but to head into an important game like this with 2 projects (Ajer and Hendry) as the CB pairing is criminal. RFC are going into tomorrows tie with a pairing that have been scouted and bought this summer. Celtic bet on 35 (and 4) as well and are in real danger of missing out on the UCL.
As I write this…it appears that John McGinn is having a medical at Aston Villa.
Now whether he signs for them or us…or whether you rate him as good enough for us…one thing’s for sure…The Board has handled this extremely badly.
BR is not a happy bunny…and its a funny way of showing him their appreciation.
Dear oh dear oh dear.
That should have said….BR
I need to nip in here Phil. You have stated on a number of occasions that BE is in full control of all football matters at our club. Yet he is mow saying celtic have “a lot of work to Do” regarding transfers. Upon reading this piece it hardly looks like he is being critical of himself.
Thoughts Please?
Why are they getting their collective knickers in a knot? Surely, they still have a prize asset in Morelos? Maybe they’ve lost the wee bit of paper with Aston Villa’s phone number written on it. I’m sure Mr King could convince the AV board that he is much better than John McGinn, and that they’d still be getting a bargain at “only” £12 million? All King has to do is show them the newspaper clippings of the £11 million bid from the Chinese (the Beijing football club, not their local takeaway). Sevco’s finances are indeed in rude health – I have that info from a trusted source, although I can’t remember whether it was the tooth fairy that told me – or perhaps it was santa claus?
Phil, get a life, ffs!
‘Mr King has put it all on 35 black and not 32red” ….very well put Phil
Wee tune for a guy I know called Dave
https://youtu.be/xiNN9x3aeqI
but but….. the SMSM claim that Mr Waghorn is subject to a 10% sell-on clause…. surely they can’t be lying ?