Sevco fairy tales versus genuine journalism

I am down the Rocky Road on NUJ business and have had my eye off the ball somewhat.

At a cursory glance, this morning Celtic are still trailing in the Close Season Cup.

They really are hopeless, them and their worthless Treble Treble!

After all, winning nine domestic trophies on the bounce doesn’t matter as  “the Rainjurz” were not in the lea…

Oh wait.

Of course, this is to be expected as Celtic do not have the strength in depth of Sevco on the back pages.

The basket of assets can always call on their stars turns within the Stenography Corps to change the narrative with some Off The Radar creativity.

The David Turnbull saga proves nothing other than the medical examination at Celtic is fit for purpose.

Consider this, if Sevco had £3.25m to spend on a promising teenager then that is exactly the line that would be put out by the mainstream media.

Now, it will be highly instructive to note at the end of this window just how much Mr Let’s Go has been given to strengthen a squad that did not win anything last season.

As regular readers here will be aware, a key element in the Sevco High Command’s cunning plan for this summer was to sell Señor Alfredo José Morelos Aviléz.

They hoped that a massive transfer fee for the striker would go a long way to plugging the hole in their finances.

Towards the end of last season, his putative value on the back pages would have made Hans Christian Andersen blush.

Then his flailing elbow on Broony finally called a halt to the apparent official tolerance of his thuggery.

The subsequent five-match ban proved to any likely suitors that Alfredo was a red card racing cert anytime he was on the field of play.

This would be especially true in the less dignified environment south of the border where the colour of his shirt did not confer any dignified immunity.

Now the approved narrative is that Sevco does not have to sell the Colombian or their captain James Henry Tavernier.

When it comes to fullbacks in Scotland who are of genuine quality then Arsenal does not seem to be interested in the chief penalty taker at Ibrox.

The key point on the Kieran Tierney story is that Celtic do not have to sell.

As I stated at the beginning of the Close Season Cup campaign, just follow follow the money.

When this transfer window closes look at what Sevco have shelled out as a net spend and look at who they have signed.

Their long-suffering Director of Fantasy is, in fairness, doing his best with the meagre resources at his disposal.

The reality is that Sevco are in the hole to Close Brothers for over £7m.

Moreover, General Ashley can move for an enforcement order on the car boot sale shambles at a time of his choosing.

As I have stated before, that could prompt Close Brothers to call in their loan early, as is their right under the terms and conditions.

Consequently, any player recruitment at Ibrox has to be done on the cheap; free transfers, loan deals and nominal fees.

Celtic, on the other hand, have real money to spend in order to augment a squad that has just secured a Treble Treble.

Consequently, I think any evidenced-based analysis of this transfer window will conclude that the financial strength is at Parkhead and not Ibrox.

Of course, do not expect to read that clear assertion on the back pages though.

Now, I have to go back to NUJ business.

While I am gone I would ask one thing of you dear reader.

Please do not think that the Off The Radar stuff apropos Sevco’s triumph in the Close Season Cup is journalism.

I will leave the last word on the subject to another NUJ member: