Why the Celtic shambles is stranger than fiction

I can’t say that I’m surprised to re-emerge for the depths of the word mines to find no change in the Celtic situation.

Writing is a solitary, essentially selfish pursuit.

Everything else has to be banished before you can enter the novel or the play and live in the world of your characters.

However, one negative thought that followed me back into the undergrowth of the manuscript was that perhaps there is no current plan at Paradise.

That the CEO has no succession plan in place because he has worn his job title like a second skin for the past 17 years.

It is my settled view that Mr Lawwell cannot be the public face of the club when the direct debits have to be signed in a couple of months.

If he is then the beloved bottom line will take a hit.

However, even if there is a significant downturn in season ticket renewals that might not prompt any change in the personnel or structures at Celtic.

My last contact with a well-placed source close to the Desmond operation simply pointed out that there was equity in the squad.

In other words, any shortfall in revenue could be covered by more player sales than usual.

I was reminded of a conversation I had with a buddy who covered the footie beat in the Northeast of England for years.

Consequently, he had developed excellent sources inside Newcastle United.

It was a matter of historical record that the Toon Army were in open revolt against the Ashley regime.

At one heated meeting with supporters, Derek Llambias (remember him?) was confronted with the possibility of a season ticket revolt.

His reply to each increasingly catastrophic scenario was to state that they would simply cut the budget.

In the end, the Toon Army guys cared about their club and the men in charge did not.

Consequently, there was no season ticket rebellion.

I’m not suggesting that anything like this will happen at Celtic.

Some fans might decide that they won’t renew, but that likely to be an individual decision and not anything organised.

However, the Newcastle story outlines the relative powerlessness of the modern football supporter to achieve regime change on their own.

The two post-Dubai matches proved that the second string at Celtic is not up to the required level.

I suppose that’s what you’ve had an unofficial director of football in charge for most of the last 17 years.

My fervent hope that this “managed decline” craic is not destined to become the new normal at Paradise.

Ultimately it will come to the decision of one person.

Of course, that is exactly the state of affairs that the Celtic Trust wishes to remedy.

I wish them well.

Now, I need to get back to some fairly dodgy characters.

However, there isn’t anything in Native Shore that is as bizarre as what has befallen Celtic this season as fiction has to make sense.

Stay well.