In the film industry the actors who command the highest fees those who can “open a movie”.
That means that on the weekend of the release cinema audience will go to see it just because a certain star is in the cast.
After that, the movie survives on its own merits.
However, the box office is guaranteed for that weekend, because people will go to the movie theatre because of the brand association with the film.
That is exactly what happened last summer when Mr David Cunningham King talked Steven Gerrard into being associated with the basket of assets.
To have a clear view of this one must ignore the Gerrard brand, which was all about his stellar career as a player, and look at what Sevco had actually hired.
Someone who had coached an Under 18 team for one season.
As I have previously reported Mr Gerrard was gently advised within the Liverpool setup that management might not be for him.
Instead, I’m told that he was offered an ambassadorial role with the Anfield club.
Clearly, he turned that offer down.
As I have stated here before, convincing Gerrard to come on board was a stunning coup for King.
Not because he had snared a brilliant young manager, but because he had lured in a seriously bankable brand.
With a compliant media onside it was all set up.
However, it was always going to hit the wall called “reality”.
Despite bringing with him the allure of a genuine star, Mr Gerrard has been asked to work with the cast of a school play.
It now remains to be seen what direction the commentary takes during the international break.
There might be feel good squirrels saying that “Stevie G” will get it right in the end.
However, there could be a new high-Level narrative that prepares the way for a parting of the ways that doesn’t cost Sevco a penny.
My information is that, for financial reasons, sacking the Gerrard team would generate an unpayable bill for Sevco.
Indeed, it is of similar size to the sum that Big Mike will be looking for next month in the High Court in London.
So, when the time comes, it will be much better for Mr Steven George Gerrard MBE to DO Walking Away.
None that vulgar compensation stuff.
Hiring Mr Gerrard was all about giving the klan a boost as they were in the middle of two matches against a dominant Celtic side which had a 9-0 aggregate.
At that point, it was fair to say that the Ibrox crowd were revolting.
Of course, they bought into the Gerrard hype.
Then again they believed it when they were told that Craig Whyte was a billionaire.
Next up for Mr Gerrard is a visit to the home of the biggest club in Scotland.
For the avoidance of doubt, they’re the champions.
The club with a massively larger football budget than anyone else in the league.
It is almost as if such financial muscle confers a sporting advantage.
However, before Sevco get a taste of Paradise they will be helpless onlookers tomorrow.
The scene is set at Dens Park for an Irishman to formally execute Sevco’s season on St Patrick’s Day.
Now that is the sort of thing you usually only see in the movies.
It could be box office.
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Apologies, Sir. I maligned you unfairly.
TIME FOR SOME CLEAR BALANCED THINKING:
Celtic: Board could do better, management and some players wanted away, overall structure solid at club and it saw us through Dembele gate and Rodgers gate.
Ambition required to plug the gaps in playing personnel and ship a couple players off wage bill. Improve what’s left to sell on or become first teamers
Kouassi, commper and couple others not delivering any return.
Sevco: board is a shit n a giggle but a dangerous foe, who will gamble with the very existence of their new club to stop the 10.
Gerrard season broken into 4 KPIs
1, Get Europa league groups: Successful
2, Beat Celtic once: Successful (jury remains If he can avoid a hammering)
3. Finish second and give Celtic a run for money: he should get second but doubt he will challenge Celtic, fell short
4 Cup final/ win : Abject Failure
On paper that record looks passable but when we look at fact that, 2 was more down to us being awful than them good, Gerrard only unqualified success has been Europe.
The unease amongst the blue noses is fact that if Celtic get act sorted then Gerard has no chance next season.
Time will tell. Writing on wall for SG
I was correct sometime ago by saying that up against mcinnes, Clark Wright, 12 or more times over a season, Gerrard would come unstuck, as those guys eventually will get better of a rank rookie without requisite coaching badges for coaching at European level so much so Gary McAllisters badges got them compliant with that.
Talking of box office Phil. A new box office manager is needed at Celtic park. Frustrating afternoon
Poor display today but a great 3 points, league is done and dusted.
One game now against Aberdeen in the cup will seal the treble treble as I doubt if Hearts or Caley will trouble the Champions in the final.
I’ve noticed you don’t post responses that conflict with your ‘official’ narrative. ‘Journalist’, my arse.
Box Office it most certainly was….a very,very late winner from no.22 Eddy saved Celts blushes.Dundee were as well as hiring a couple of bricklayers to plug the gaps round the bus they’d parked.
Still,The Champions won through all the same.
GB Neil Francis Lennon.
Cannae see him getting an MBE right annuf,but We don’t care about such triflings ONE MORE win is all that’s required……..⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️HH🍀
Coward.
Previous article, Record page image, McInnes’ moan… what exactly is sectarian about calling someone an “orange bastard”…?
Can’t believe it is 18 years since Dundee last beat Celtic….
(That needed Claudio Cannigia in their side and a Celtic off-day)
I know Dundee are fighting for their survival but Celtic should have more than sufficient quality to turn them over, hopefully by a heavy margin.
10 points ahead after today. Hopefully 13 ahead by month end….
One win after the split and it’s done!
Looking ahead –
The international break generally gives clubs a chance to recoup and prepare physically and mentally for the next game.
In sevcos case I think this time it is more likely to promote 2 weeks of dread and infighting as heads go down, agents go on a selling campaign and the dressing room gulf increases.
It is slightly to sevcos benefit on this occasion that they do not have any players good enough for Scotland…
I just hope that Celtics players come home intact for the season finish.
Going by the radio phone ins yesterday …
(You MUST replay if not heard)
… the Huns are going into meltdown.
They are all showing their cards now and openly stating their desperation to stop 9… 10… 11…
They know that this years title is gone and are terrified at the prospect of 9 never mind 10. They know it will never be beaten.
I know I bang on about it a bit! But it’s as if they think they were the first to do NIAR…
after all .. sevco have NEVER done it and Rainjurz were 2nd to do it and had to resort to cheating.
The fear of us getting 10 in a row must utterly horrify them. I don’t think it will be possible to underestimate the lengths the ‘club’ and it’s fans will go to to stop it!
I can actually understand their desperation from ‘their’ angle as will many Celtic supporters who watched or listened to Wim Jansens celtic side playing St Johnstone in that final game in early May 1998..
That was a ‘JFK moment’ for me..
I was not in Scotland at the time and unable to attend. I listened from distance to a poor radio signal and felt every kick, throw-in, header and touch of the ball that day. I will never forget where I was and what I was doing, such was the importance of the event and gravity of the outcome. I doubt the neutral onlookers watching on at my lunatic solo celebrations at full time will forget in a hurry either.
For me… just about the most important day in my years following Celtic.
I just now hope that Celtics desire to complete 10 in a row is not outweighed by the desire for Sevco, the SFA and media to stop it!
Celtic play Rangers twice. It is not over yet. Given what you say, about the difference in turnover, his lack of experience, it might be argued that he has had an excellent season. At time of writing, the gap is 7 points. I fail to see what more he could have done under the given circumstances. You have plenty to say about Gerrard, and I think you doth protest too much about his performance.
Do you .. really ? To be so far behind after Celtic’s poor start to the season isn’t really very good. He’s in no better a position than the last 2 permanent managers. He might just not have what it takes. Time will tell; IF he is given the time to develop.
Did anybody seriously expect Gerrard to overhaul Rogers team in one season? We have had horrendous luck with injuries and no central strikers ( I like OE but he is not an orthodox central striker). . I think Rangers did well at the start of the season because of the impact of McGregor in goal. That was a great move on Gerrards part. He saved shots he really had no business saving, and confidence increased. There is a limit though to what a goalkeeper can do. Defoe was a mistake granted, but I would not put him in the same category as the others that preceded him. That would be a serious corporate error.
To be fair, McGregor was signed before Stevie G started…..
Mr Mather , yours is the type of blinkered response that has lead Sevco to the financial precipice . I suppose you also think that Mr King is a suitable custodian of your club and must be trusted to ‘get it right ‘ – all he needs is time – more time to pick your pocket and those of your fellow somnambulists . Good luck with that !
I think you have mistaken my affiliation. Celtic and Rangers have now scored 66 goals each in the SPL. Celtic have conceded 6 fewer. The idea that Gerrard is some kind of washout does not square with the facts. The margin between the sides is decreasing and Celtic need to address it
I agree,J.Mather…i do think Gerrard has done a decent job with the substandard squad at his disposal (granted he brought many of them in himself…or did he ?)
Crushing,unrealistic expectations will always kill them anyway,no matter what manager is in place at Ibrox.
All we at Celtic need to do is keep our own eyes firmly fixed on the prizes…focus without complacency. Do the talking on the park and take no prisoners.
In WHAT WAY has Gerrard had a brilliant season? Granted, he is working with one hand tied behind his back, but in managerial circles (whatever type of business), a good manager will delegate duties and responsibilities to his underlings. If those underlings do not perform aforementioned duties and responsibilities to the best of their abilities, it becomes the duty of the management to take responsibility for their failings – not throw them under the proverbial bus! If one employee underperformed, then they are given training to bring him/her up to an acceptable standard. If there is no improvement, then that employee will find themselves “unfit for purpose” and moved on. If the employees underperformed as a collective, then questions must be asked of the management’s abilities (or lack thereof).
The “product” on sale, bearing the “Rangers” brand is substandard and inconsistent. Would you buy a new car that was substandard and inconsistent?.. Book a holiday with a similar type of travel company?.. feed your family with food that was substandard, with inconsistent quality? I don’t have to second-guess your response, do I?
Fair shout, Mr(s) Mather. Continually harping on about Rangers never being able to compete with Celtic because of the difference in finances really does smack of Harry Enfield’s Loadsamoney or his Considerable Richer Than You character.
Big fish in a small pond but now that they’ve finished hoovering up all of the food in the pond, they complain that it isn’t enough to allow them to compete with the European big boys. Like Ajax ffs.
Hypocrites.
So,do you think that lot ‘still’ have a chance of winning it?
If your answer is yes,fair enough.But,if it’s no,why bother with the above comment?
Sure,it’s not mathematically impossible yet,but seriously…….
We beat them in Paradise later this month on the 29th and it’s OVER.
Mathematically,well,that doesn’t even have to come into it.
In fact,ask any currant you meet and they’ll tell you the same.
IT’S OVER THE FENIANS HAVE WON 💚🍀✅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hail Glorious Hail 🍀🍀
Well I wouldn’t be surprised if Morelos is cited for a punch on Broadfoot and Goldson yellow upgraded to red.
Wtf are these guys all about?
Oh that’s right, they believed the hype
Goldson should have had a red in the Aberdeen game too, likewise the diver.
We MUST take advantage tomorrow! Win the next four games and we are champions. We can rest players for the Cup and complete the triple TRIPLE TREBLE.