Giovanni, Alfredo and the invisible chairman

It would be reasonable to assume that a club that had just qualified for the Group Stages of the UEFA Champions League would have a bit of cash to splash on transfers.

Consequently, before the window closes, one would expect a substantial net spend in the transfer market.

By getting past PSV, the bounty of the UCL is heading towards the Blue Room for the first time in Sevco’s short history.

Indeed I’m told that Mr Gio had identified three areas of the field that he wanted to strengthen.

He told the Director of Fantasy that he required another forward, a midfielder and a centre-back.

The likeable Dutchman knows that if young Master Sands grabs an opponent around the waist in the UCL, then he is unlikely to be so…err… “lucky”.

Sadly, Mr Gio has been informed that there will have to be some significant outgoings before he can get his identified trio.

Anyone that does join the ten-year-old club will have to either a loan or a project.

Moreover, their impact on the wage bill must be minimal.

This is partly due to the new UEFA financial sustainability regulations that have been reported here previously.

I’m told that the world-class chaps on the 6^th floor of Hampden have made it clear to the brethren in the Blue Room that their ability to intercede on Sevco’s behalf ain’t what it used to be.

Of course, there are a few days remaining in this window, and Sevco likes to be the winners on Transfer Headline Day when they placate their delightful klanbase with an ultimately meaningless acquisition.

As we have seen with the ill-fated Jack Ross, bad results can do for you.

Of course, there is a corollary to that and Sevco’s manager has seen his stock rise after the PSV game.

Mr Gio is now in a strong position with the chaps in the Blue Room.

The Sevco High Command are aware that they have a manager who can deliver in Europe.

Consequently, he can tell them what he wants and what and who he doesn’t want.

Pobrecito.

My information is that the Sevco manager is willing to tolerate Roofe because when he is fit, at least he trains and shows a professional attitude.

That would indicate that such a mindset is missing with the ample Colombian.

Meanwhile, the Sevco High Command are keeping a weather eye on events Stateside as someone is trying to sell their shareholding in RIFC.

I can’t imagine who that could be.

That one could be a developing story.

The good news for Mr Gio and young master Sands is that it will be this fine fellow will be using his common sense on Saturday.

I’m sure his pupils who are part of the starlet conveyor belt at Auchenhowie will be thrilled.

Dear reader, only in Scotland is this considered normal.

The people who run the national game in Fair Caledonia should be eternally grateful that they no longer have to deal with the Bunnet.

Instead, they have to cope with Celtic’s current chairman.

This was his lacklustre response when he was asked about Messrs Madden and Walsh.

As regular readers will know, I interviewed Ian Bankier at his inaugural presser when her was introduced to Celtic shareholders at the 2011 AGM.

I wasn’t impressed then, and my opinion of him has worsened with the passing years.

Next January, he will leave the building, and no one will notice.

Celtic’s manager and his players deserve better from those in the boardroom.

The style of play that Angeball 2.0 has produced so far this campaign can only be stopped in Scotland if opponents are allowed to play with a certain…ahem…robustness.

Now, what are the chances that the story of the first derby match of season 2022-2023 is a series of entirely genuine officiating errors that just happen to tilt the contest in favour of the visitors?

That would be highly unfortunate.

A functioning Fourth Estate would be questioning the selection of a referee with such a clear off-field connection to Sevco.

For the sake of Mr Walsh’s professional reputation, he shouldn’t be anywhere near this fixture.