First, the good news.
I’m told that the new playing surface at Celtic Park is world-class.
Sadly, there isn’t much to put on it at the moment.
This breaking shambles on Celtic applying to UEFA for an exemption for Ange Postecoglou screams that there was no Plan B after Eddie Howe.
I first read about the issue two days ago here, so fair play to James Forrest for his scoop on the CelticBlog.
Of course, there was no fallback position because Mr Desmond and his people thought that Plan Howe was a racing cert.
Here is a mantra among professional negotiators “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,” and so it proved to be.
As I have previously reported, the red line was Howe’s preferred backroom team.
My understanding is that at least two of them did not want to relocate to Glasgow.
The hinge factor was that Howe had a degree of wriggle room in the memorandum of understanding.
Of course, that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Now all of the eggs are in a basket Down Under.
If Ange does finally arrive, then he will have no time to get things right.
Another minor point is that he won’t really have a team either.
Sevco must be, at this point, strong favourites to retain their title.
Of course, that means auto Group Stages of the Champions League in season 2022-2023.
If Desmond decided to sell up tomorrow, then this would undoubtedly be met with general rejoicing among the Celtic support.
“Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it”, comes to mind.
It is who would snap up Desmond’s shareholding that could usher in a nightmare period for the Hoops.
The private equity firms who bought Charlie Green’s pitch in 2012 walked away rather bruised by the experience.
However, Celtic are, off-field, a very well-run and financially healthy outfit.
Consequently, they are ripe for the plucking.
If such a scenario were to play out, then Celtic would be owned by a corporate entity that would siphon off revenue annually, and the powerless fans could go hang.
I fear that the bad times might just be starting for the green half of Glasgow.
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
What you’ve outlined above Phil, is a scenario that has worried me for several years.
Presumably this was ‘leaked’ from CFC;
“…Now SunSport can reveal personal terms with the Aussie-Greek coach have been verbally agreed…”
What could possibly go wrong with an ‘MOU’ – or even a verbal agreement ?! 🙁
I agree Phil ,although the board have made a complete mess of the managerial appointment, the Celtic support had better watch what they wish for. Desmond was wee Fergus’s picked successor as main shareholder and for most of the time the team have been successful with him as largest shareholder. I’m sure that the past season has annoyed him as much as any supporter and he’ll be desperate to get the team back on track before he opts to either sell his shares or pass them on to his family.
Fergus walked away from Celtic with a £40m profit in 5 years.
Why do you suppose Dermot “Billionaire twice over” Desmond bought the bulk of shares to become the biggest shareholder?
Celtic have only been successful in one Season in Europe in the past 25 years.
Successful by losing a final.
That is the benchmark not a domestic setup that can be bought for a pittance and dominated by an average Celtic in Europe.
One can only wonder just how much Dermot will walk with when he goes given he’s been here 5 times longer?
It’s clear though some of you don’t get the game these guys play.
Capitalism in a green in white scarf is still Capitalism no matter how much glitter throw on it.
I’m no genius and surely you don’t need a seat on a Board to see this.
Under Brendan Rodgers (as each day passes who can blame him) Celtic were never better both on and off the park.
He had the contacts to get in the room with the cream of Europe’s upcoming talent and the ability to do the deals to sign them. Regardless of the emotions about how he left he talked the talk and walked the walk its becoming clear now it may have been a solo effort. I think we all new that I for one suspected but did not know how bad it may have been. We know now. But to my point.
My reaction to Neil Lennon getting the job done was hell probably get us through but who is he going to be able to attract to the club for the future……he bombed on both jobs.
Players don’t play for a director of football that’s just business!!!!
They play for a manager who they know can enhance their career and improve their own cash situation….. End of.
Who the hell is this guy gonna attract, what contacts has he got, our CEO is from Rugby he’s a non starter, what the hell……. really!!!!!
Really, really, really……..REALLY !!!!!!!
SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have nothing else to say but I hope the money for the hotel is ring fenced and it better be a good Irish Breakfast cause thats the important stuff at a football club.
Can you assure me, Phil, that DD takes no money out of the club – don’t certain class of shareholders get dividends?
You miss the point that I was making (perhaps intentionally).
If Celtic was majority-owned by a private equity firm then the difference would be night and day.
I’ll take that as a YES then, Phil.
From the WHO song, “Won’t get fooled again” – meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Of the big six in England who were going to join the ESL only 2 don’t take money out of the club while the other 4 do (americans) as the english press inform us.
So, my point is, is DD more aligned with the 4 than the other 2?
Yup, for all I can see that Celtic fans are frustrated with Desmond, and for all that he might take dividends (honestly I have no idea if he does) it’s still a world away from what say the Glazers do at Man U
As far as I know the only shares that have ever attracted a dividend are the preference shares.
Celtic pay out approx £570k pa on these, of which Desmond gets £180k.
I’m unaware of any other dividend he gets nor whether he’s in receipt of payment for contracts, onerous or otherwise.
Although £180k pa is a fantastic sum for the majority of us, its not for Desmond who made over half a billion profit on selling London Airport.
If Desmond cashed in all his shares (£60m at current prices) then I’d expect him to make more profit on a new investment in a single year than he’s done from 25 years at Celtic.
I don’t like Desmond but whatever he’s at Celtic for, it’s not to use us as a cash-cow.
Compen agreed ( today anyway), so here he comes. For all the ‘ that isn’t how modern coaches work’ drivel I hope he can build something and give some much needed actual coaching to the remaining, and new players. If he has to boot arses to do it… do it !
All correct. And who will be sanctioning players coming in and moving out? A very real issue. The Australian will know of very good players in the southern hemisphere of which we are currently unaware. He is a sports science kind of guy. Players like that do exist. Kante came straight out of the French 3rd division to Leicester. I think that is the only thing that may save us from the path you outline above. 4 from there, 4 from the SPL and hope and pray they gel quickly.