If Jock Stein’s dictum about the importance of fans to the beautiful game is true, then after kick-off at Kilmarnock on Sunday, there will, initially, be a dozen minutes of nothing.
The PR operation emanating from Celtic over the past couple of weeks should be a valuable case study for any bright young thing attempting to learn the dark arts of corporate communications.
For the avoidance of doubt, one thing any organisation should avoid is becoming the subject of derisive ridicule.
Here on ACSOM, John Hughes shreds the Celtic club statement and casts doubts as to the extent of human involvement in its creation.
The big man has clearly inherited his dad’s sense of humour.
As to the… ahem… explanation about their putative inability to touch cash reserves because of UEFA regulations, here it is demolished as BS by James Dailey on the Huddle Breakdown.
Tomorrow at the pre-match presser, the local media will actually do their job by questioning Brendan Rodgers about the transfer window shambles.
Of course, no such interrogation would be conducted on the other side of the city as succulent protocols remain in place.
In that, Celtic supporters are fortunate.
For the club formed by immigrants, there is no Operation Soothe
The last time we needed regime change, I was living in Glasgow and relied entirely on the local media for information.
Because it was the Celtic that were in trouble, they carried out their Fourth Estate function with ruthless glee.
That was good for the supporters of the Parkhead club.
We and the world quickly realised that the plan to relocate to Cambuslang was a non-starter.
As laudable and justifiable as it is, this demonstration of what the fans bring to the occasion of a football match will not dislodge anyone from power at Celtic.
This isn’t the early 1990s.
Then it was entirely possible to precipitate a cash crisis with the old board as the bank was ready to foreclose, and the Bunnet was waiting on the call.
What can be seminal this time is a shareholder insurgency.
I’m told that the first steps in that could start as early as next week.
Whatever unfolds could be truly Shakespearean.
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The interview with David Low by Paul John Dykes released on ACSOM today is a very welcome bit of news for all concerned outside the Board at Celtic.
The target of 25% Shareholding whilst not easy to reach is more than achievable if every Celtic fan worldwide pulls together and gets involved.
I would suggest not one of us sinks the usual money into Merchandise and Shirts for the weans and family this Christmas but instead redirects those funds towards the Block Shareholding he and the other two involved are aiming for.
Two birds with one stone if you like.
A proper warning shot across the bow to those invested at Celtic in a non emotional manner whilst simultaneously increasing the voices of those with the emotional ties at our Club.
If this takes off in the manner that those who were waiting for something like this then I foresee some very rapid movements at aboard levels not seen in any Transfer Windows for decades.
When this is officially launched it needs promoting and publicising on every Celtic based media.
The board don’t give a shiny about protests, in fact, they welcome them. Celtic’s strategy, for years, has been to just stay in front-and sometimes fall behind-the nearest rivals.
As every racehorse stable knows, the money’s in knowing both the winner & the loser.
Celtic have always measured themselves against the south side club, not European clubs. Hence when the southside stragglers went tits-up, so did we. This ‘old firm’ pish needs to be flushed away.
As with many a sad time, look to comedy for the ‘Bright Side of Life’ and, in this case, The Life of Brian.
It’s great to see The Peoples Front of Celtic join forces with The Celtic Peoples’ Front to, hopefully, overthrow the regime.
All this will do is to affect the players we should be supporting, the board won’t give it a second look , they are sitting in padded seats in their free suits counting the bonus received on player trading.
If I was Brendan Rodgers at the first question regarding the Transfer Window or Fan unrest I would say “If the fans can cause a Boardroom clear out I would be delighted to stay on as Celtic Manager” (But he won’t)
Tons and tons of noise without thought.
Lots of people wanting involved probably so they can wear the club tie.
Not suggesting change isn’t needed but when the board is sacked who is there to replace them with and who will decide who it will be. Who will sack them and what ones are for the chop.
👍
I don’t know if any of the action taken by the collective fan groups will result in any heads rolling, but it should serve as a wake up call to the board. They have messed things up so many times re recruitment, and the supporters don’t have that many ways to vent their frustrations.
So my hope is that Sundays action will be followed up with some sort of action that keeps the pressure on the board. This is completely on them and they continue to try to ignore it. Things are just beginning. How it will end is anyones guess but everyone who wants to see the club improve should get behind it HH
The possibility of protests managing to motivate this golden shower of directors into acknowledgement of their failings and positive steps to prevent a recurrence is highly unlikely. I worry that the I’ll feeing from the stands might affect the teams performance, which is the last thing desired. I would rather see protests organised outwith match time..I’d also really like to see a team in Europe that doesn’t require non starters to meet eufa requirements.
‘mon the hoops!
I am afraid you are right. To persuade ‘them’ to share power and that is what supporters are seeking, a’ share’ of power.
No one or group voluntarily gives that up. If they are made ‘uncomfortable’ on a day to day basis they might opt to but first they will wait/ hope for the storm to pass, make a few token gestures etc.
Shareholder action might just move things but big shareholders need to get on board and feel action is needed.