It doesn’t seem to matter anymore what Celtic wins, or does not win. It’s now clear all that matters to the board is the bottom line
Eric Knott 
Craig Foy - SNS Group/SNS Group/Getty Images
The last two transfer windows at Celtic Park, and now the current one we are in, are proof positive that football is a sideshow at Celtic Park.
Judging by recent and current behaviour of the board, the footballing operation seems to be an inconvenience better off ignored.
You almost get the impression that there is a collective groan in the boardroom when a transfer window opens.
What? We have to spend money again??!
The Celtic board paints a picture akin to that of Silas Marner, sitting and counting his money by candlelight.
Marner had a morbid fear of spending money, until little Eppie came into his life and changed his outlook completely.
One wonders if the majority of the Celtic board are gone way beyond that point.
It seems that nothing will change their outlook.
Winning and being dominant in Scotland certainly does not achieve that.
In fact, the more we win, the more complacent they seem to become.
It’s clear that the bottom line is far more important to them than the football club progressing in any meaningful way.
The shocking lack of transfer activity in the current window, I believe, stems from two things.
Firstly, the board, with around £100 million sitting in the bank, are not willing to sanction any significant spending until the sale of Matt O’Riley goes through.
And as Celtic are wont to do when it comes to any transfer dealings, in or out, they wait.
They wait, and wait, and wait, and wait.
Until it is too late, and another season’s prospects, outside of parochial domination, go by the wayside.
Secondly, they are watching very closely at what is unfolding at Ibrox, all while rubbing their hands gleefully.
Knowing full well that a weakened Ibrox operation means they don’t have to spend much.
The extent of their ambition at Celtic is to keep the Ibrox club at arms length.
They see nothing beyond that.
Our abysmal performances in Europe in the last decade are proof positive that they see nothing beyond that.
They are happy to take the Champions League participation money, and have no ambition to achieve anything in that competition.
All because Peter Lawwell in his infinite wisdom, believes we can’t compete in Europe.
So just because he says so, we can’t.
And he’s quite happy to ensure we can’t.
Ritual humiliations mean nothing to them, because you couldn’t mark their necks with a blowtorch.
I might as well tell you now, we will achieve nothing in this coming season’s Champions League.
We might have been able to if three or four significant signings were through the door.
But as we’re all acutely aware, there is not a single signing through the door as yet.
The squad, criminally, and inexplicably, has been further weakened.
One of our back up strikers has been allowed to leave.
This was announced late last night on X.
At a time when the club thought nobody would react, but there was plenty of reaction, the majority of it negative.
By the end of this week, we might, and I stress might, have Bernardo, Idah, and a goalkeeper in place.
If we achieve that much, it puts the squad back to where it was when we finished last season.
The sale of Matt O’Riley, which appears imminent based on Juventus’ interest, will significantly weaken the squad further.
It seems now, that it’s just a question of the board waiting around till they get the best possible offer.
If you expect them to reinvest that money in the playing squad, I’d recommend you think again.
Just refer to the sale of Jota last season.
I mean, for Christ’s sake, they’re not even willing to spend money on a goalkeeper.
If they manage to secure Kaspar Schmeichel, he’ll cost them nothing.
And we will have replaced the retired Joe Hart with a ‘keeper who is actually older than him.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not writing Schmeichel off before he gets in the door, if he ever does, but it reeks of short-termism.
We will get a maximum of one or two seasons from Schmeichel.
It beggars belief that after all of the rabbits Brendan Rodgers had to pull from hats to secure the double last season, the Celtic board is messing him around the way they are.
We all felt that they owed him big time after achieving what he did.
We said there was no way they could possibly mess this window up after that.
Yet here we are.
This window is already messed up.
It’s too late now for it to be beneficial to us before the start of the season in just over a fortnight.
Unless a raft of players are through the door before the end of this week…
The chances of that happening are somewhere between Bob Hope and no hope.
We’re farting around, lowballing clubs with insulting bids for players, and hoping for the best.
Yet we have no issue with playing hardball with clubs who show interest in ours.
All while we earn around £30k per day in interest, based on what’s sitting in the club’s coffers now.
Last night, I watched on with glee as a beyond boring England side was easily swept aside by a fantastic Spanish side in the European Championships final.
Going into that game, I felt the same way I did when the Ibrox side made it to the Europa League final two years ago.
I knew if England won, we would never, ever, hear the end of it.
The hubris would consume them.
They would put it up there with winning the second world war.
Thankfully, at full time, the footballing universe was restored to the normality we’re all accustomed to.
Once the dust had settled, I had a very negative thought.
Just as England, due to their hubris, will never win a major international football tournament, Celtic will never change it’s way of operating under the current board.
As long as they are in place, we will never achieve anything of note outside of the Scottish game.
Just as England will never achieve anything in world football unless they’re willing to show humility.
Which they’re not, by the way, and they never will.
And so it goes.
The very definition of a miracle is this:
An extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency.
To expect Celtic to change while this board is in charge is to expect a miracle.
And simply by reading that definition, you and I both know it will never happen on their watch.
A divine agency is the only thing that can change Celtic at this point.
Either that, or the fanbase will somehow see the light.
Unfortunately for some, all that matters to them is beating the Ibrox side.
The board is quite happy to facilitate that, but nothing else.
The day they stop facilitating that, is the day their reign will end.
They came damn close to allowing it to happen last season.
They seem determined to do the same again next season.
As I said, only a miracle….
Click here for – A KEW HEAVINS EXCLUSIVE: EVERYBODY IS MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A STEEL PILE WHEN IT COMES TO THE MINOR CRISIS AT IBROX. THE IBROX SIDE WILL STILL BEAT CELTIC TO THE TITLE, AND HERE’S WHY…
Click here for – AS CELTIC CASTS A DARK SHADOW OVER IBROX, HEART AND HAND PODCASTER DAVID EDGAR FACES THE REALITY OF THEIR HOPELESS POSITION…
100% correct we have a board full of reptiles
Thinking outside the box, bringing in an experienced keeper is a good idea and repeating this “plan” every couple of years could serve us well.
The problem we have, besides the scrooges currently filling the boardroom, is that our outfield cannot be handled the same way.
If and probably when we get our arses handed to us in the CL, there’ll be much tut tutting and hand wringing from our board but little else.
There HAS to come a time when fans stop buying STs, hard to accomplish I know, but I recall Lawwell of all people was telling us all that Rodgers would be strongly backed when the STs sold.
Yet another fckn lie!!!!!
We may laugh at Sevco fans and the way their board keeps them in the dark, ours is just as bad on their own inimitable way!!!!!!!
If Celtic are so bad why are you making a living out of making poor accusations? Much of what you write is opinionated and not fact and i believe this should be the headline in every article you write.
Celtic are a PLC and as such in the football world a successful PLC. The operation of the football club is not down to Peter Lawwell it is Michael Nicholsons domain. He calls the shots and he answers to the board.
Perhaps you should get a real job whereby you have to write factual stories instead of made up opinionated stories. But then again who would employ you? Probably no one
Is Matt O’Riley not for sale? Fact
Have we signed a player yet? Fact
Are we about to sign a keeper older than Joe Hart? Fact
Did we sell Oh? Fact
Did we lowball Norwich for Adam Idah? Fact
Has the squad been weakened? Fact
Have we been dismal for the last ten years in Europe? Fact
Did we almost allow the Ibrox side to win the title last season? Fact
Do we have £100million sitting in the bank unspent? Fact
Put all of these FACTS together and you form an OPINION. If you want to call that opinionated, work away. But don’t tell me I’m not speaking FACTS unless you can dispute every one of them. And for the record, this is NOT my job, I do this out of a love and passion for Celtic. I have a full time career outside of this. Just because I want the best for our club and I’m not afraid to say it or speak my mind is your problem, not mine. If you’re happy with the board and what they’re delivering, more power to you. Why don’t you start a blog singing their praises? Then you can criticise me all you want.
I couldn’t agree more with everything you wrote! The board as usual are penny pinching! They cannot compete in Europe and have no chance of getting out of the group stages but the board will be rubbing their hands as usual! So, short sighted and cheap! As a Celtic fan, how can you build on a team if they sell Matt, one of their best and core player tells me they have no ambition! As Celtic fans we need to make it known to the board and Brendan we are not happy at all! I’m sure Brendan made a quote sometime a go that Celtic’s goal was to get beyond the group stages…absolutely no chance! Celtic fans need to wisen up and make it known they have settled for second best…again
Gone are the days when a wee team from Glasgow, with the players living within a 30 mile radius of Celtic park, took Inter Milan by storm!
How’s he a rat? We won the league because the cream buns collapsed, it was by the skin if our teeth. We’re humiliated every season we get into the CL and are loaded. Your happy with this signing policy after last year???Article is spot on and you’re tripping
This sickens me every transfer window and I’m sure others too about how the club goes about signing players. Does the board think it’s their money?
The fans spend substantial sums of money on ST’s and merchandise and in my opinion are not rewarded with decent players. If this board are going to treat the club like a business who’s purpose is to make money for them maybe the fans should stop buying merchandise etc.
Their on a shoogly peg and I don’t think they seem to understand the anger and frustration shown by fans it’s a disgrace
I absolutely agree with this assessment, although I would kindly ask that in future you leave the Holy Name of Jesus Christ out of it. Keep the Holy Name for Mass and your prayers, otherwise it’s blasphemy.
What you say about this Celtic Board though is spot on, there is no ambition whatsoever and the penny-pinching is clearly still the order of the day with them. Brendan Rodgers has to stand up to them, as I’m sure Ange Postecoglu would have. There’s no way big Ange would have tolerated this Silas Mariner behaviour. Rodgers makes excuses for them while sending little subliminal pleas for help via his interviews. That’s no good – you need to stand up and be counted, Brendan. Demand the resources or else!!
If anyone knows about finance and business and what it takes to succeed then it’s Mr Dermot Desmond …the main man of Celtic FC . That’s what float’s his boat – 25 hours a day ….every damned day ! I cannot fathom why he of all people cannot grasp the situation where we are in the Blind Lemon Jefferson territory ,where even he would have been able to acknowledge that there is a dire need for new and fresh playing staff at the club …tout suite ! Yes, Celtic is notoriously slow and methodical when it comes to transfers in , but this is bordering on the ridiculous ,the time it is taking to add new players to the squad . Slower than the US secret service in a crisis …..slowwww!
It’s difficult but it’s the CEO’s job – just shift the dead wood off the wage bill if they aren’t going to make it and stop with this wage structure. If they are extra special then pay it! No-one
will complain in the dressing room or stands.
I am a long time season ticket holder / exec club . We’re all the same ☘️
Been everywhere in Europe with Celtic and usually whipped – last one, Rome against Lazio, never, never again , treated like cattle…
We need to trim the squad – happening now – but needs to quicken. We all know we need top quality (tall) left back, tough centre mid and striker. Just get it done!!
And we will sail away and have a go at Europe..
It’s feckin’ straightforward!! Wish I had that job ☘️
Excellent piece again Eric, spot on with all the FACTS, although I wouldn’t have lent the troll any credence, by answering his nonsense.
Nice to see Martin telling us not to blasphem his fairy stories, must be a side line from his real job of defining the word Fascist, you go Martin.
Nice to see someone with some sense making comments. There is too much dead wood. Ange signed 27 players in two seasons because he the big “I am” then bailed out for money. People need to get real, its the SPL we are in and get £3 million for winning the league. No point in buying players over £10 million who then become greedy and want more or want to leave. Edourd springs to mind.
I believe signings will be made and some will surprise everyone
I wouldnt have risked writing this article before the real possibility of decent signings expires. Otherwise you just end up sounding like a bitter fool. But that’s never bothered you eh Eric? Whining about arrival of top keeper Kasper Schmeichel is comical. Yeh we shouild have blown 5mill plus on an unknown quantity eh? Like Barkas ffs. If anyone was to waste valuable time looking back on your moaning blogs they would find contradictions and foolish predictions tripping over one another.
Don’t read it then…simples
I won’t be buying any champions league tickets, some other schmuck can have my seat. Sick to death of as little as possible to keep ahead of their pals at sevco.
Looks like Dan is on his period! Acuse’s Eric of made up opinions and then makes up an opinion Eric doesn’t have a real job! What a PLC plonker. Keep up the good work Eric and keep turning the screw on the grey brigade!
Here we go again, more infuriating time wasting and constant argy-bargy between players with inflated egos and bent agents. Beside all of this, we await something positive from the Club as to the shape and progress for intakes and how long more do we have to wait for at least a glimmer of hope! The pre-season trip to The States is solely a jolly boys’ holiday, with emphasis on revenue. It’s all about income, income and more income.
Still four major positions to be filled: keeper, back four, midfield and striker. Where are they? Oh, don’t rush into it, be careful! It is the long-standing DNA of the Board, and this, despite having substantial funds with which to shop! If I were younger, I wouldn’t be banging my fist on the table, I would be banging heads together. Get on and do your jobs, don’t be so useless – show some courage!
I wrote this two weeks ago, when I heard Chelsea Pensioners’ Club have a couple of goal keepers available – £50 upwards. Whatever you do, Eric, don’t tell Lawwell!
Jim,
You’re more to be pitied than scorned.
I had that feeling of dread as soon as the latest shit show across the city became public knowledge.Manna from Heaven(sorry for the astral reference Martin)for our board,so as not to spend.Im sick of the sight of them and their Silus Marner business plan.Wheres BRs personal pride btw?
Not one of the PLC mob are fit for purpose. A collection of Huns and Masons, only interested in holding Celtic Football Club back. Look at Pete The Cheat immediately after the Cup Final. His face was tripping him. Probably raging that his team was beaten on the day. The Football Club IS Celtic. FTPLC.
Hail Hail.
MY opinion is that I’m 100% in agreement with you.
The obvious absence of foresight and planning is plain to see. The board had months to plan for Joe Hart’s successor…crickets chirping…
Until the support, as a collective, realize that spending a few bob just to keep ahead of the other lot, is a verging on insulting business model, and is strategy devised by dinosaurs who only care about share prices and complimentary junkets, we will never make steady progress toward membership of the “elite” clubs of modern day football.
Strong familial ties and emotion only go so far unfortunately, and frankly I’m weary of hearing top players of other clubs talking in awe of the support while gleefully dishing out a pumping to the Hoops on the Paradise turf.
Magua
Prove it. Prove that they’re all Huns and Masons. Dont think you can
Well said Eric, keep pointing the finger were its needs pointed, ignore the board apologizing ejits, these are the type of faithfully blind idiots that secretly jack-off too their poster of Peter Liewell when the misses is out of the house.
Billy Boy
In 2017, when the Supreme Court decision came down, ruling EBTs illegal, it was Lawwell’s duty as Celtic CEO, to go after Murray in a court of law. The fact he did not, shows him up for what he is. Neither Murray, not any EBT recipient, has seen one moment of goal time, for participating in the largest fraudulent scheme that this country has ever witnessed. Ibrox Park and Murray Park should have been sold, in order to compensate the 276 creditors who lost out in 2012, when Rangers FC were liquidated. No new club should have been allowed to operate out of Ibrox. Peter Lawwell & Co. are your greatest friends. You should be grateful for their unflinching support over the years. Of course they are Huns.
Hail Hail.
That proves nothing. It most certainly doesn’t prove they are Huns or Masons. In reality Magua it is made up bigoted nonsense from yourself.
Aye, right ye are son. Dead on. 😁
Hail Hail.
Thought you would agree
Pretty rich coming from you Billy boy, you’re the king of fake news ,you’d give Trump a brass neck . HA!
What’s this conversation got to do with you Jim the Dim Tim. Fuck off and mind your own business ya nosey TIM
It’s a celtic site Billy boy , it’s my business, not yours, can’t you take anymore despair from your zombie sevco sites regarding your basket case klub , we’re relishing your consistant disaster of a klub , long may it continue.
Some so called fans are never happy been the dominant force in our bread and butter since we prised one of the most sought of managers in Martin O’Neil yup a few hiccups along the way the bunnet laid down the foundations on how the club should be run and still unbroken still celtic as the song goes if you know your history quit acting like the tribute act noisy Neighbours window is open till September no qualifiers to play and as BR has been saying quality over quantity this time and let’s see what happens and saving this thread to remind you off another trophy laden season and progress in Europe KTF faithful through and through
Surely to God we cannot go through another season with Taylor and Scales being our defence down our left flank, if we do not bring in a left back, a central defender and a striker then we will need God’s help to stop us being embarrassed in Europe once again.
Aye but jere lets be honest at team except the ones across the city who ar3 bying bargain basement players that wouldnt get a game for our reserves how many othet teams have made signings and to say were getting schmicheal for nothing what about his wages i bwt you if their was a fee involved he wouldnt be here because of the wages for a start then theyre bringing in another international goalie as his under study so if he leaves after the first year the other goalie will be ready to step in their planning for the future and btw if it werent for this board we wouldnt be wjere we are yes old bunnet saved the club etc etc but when he left and dermot bought 5he club weve bewn one of it not the best run club in this country so yo u s should all take a minute ro think about that and be carefull what yous wish for its a buisness nowadays and some people just dont understand that and its not good buisness sense to go out and sign all these players supportwrs want in just to please us dangerous game ro play ask thay other mob we play in scotland it dosent make sense for us to be signing two or three multi million pound players evry season and apart from that we cant anyway we have to have a certain amount of acottish players in the squad for game day then you habe to the about the ffp,s we cant spend more than we make and theirs no point spending 100 million on players necause we play in scotland its simple honestly cannae keep some people happy mind were nine in a row witj a wee quadruple in between and an unbeaton season would never od happened if tje board were as bad as yous all make out honestly im 46 and i remember we couldnt organise a piss up in a brewry so thats my rànt over
It seems to be the case now for certain that the only change at Celtic between last season and the forthcoming one will be a goalkeeper change, the rest of the team, assuming Bernardo and Idah get signed, will be exactly as was. So much for Brendan’s bluffing about improving the quality and doing better in Europe. I can hardly believe the Board has pulled the same stunt again as last year; not spending any serious money on much-needed quality. Unbelieveable!!
From what I have read the vast majority of the fans are sick and tired of the penny pinching used by Celtic when pursuing targets.We need not only Adam Idah but also Miovski.We need at least 3 main strikers as 1 can be injured or suspended at any time and if we have any Ambition to do well in Europe we must have a squad able to compete at all levels. There is no doubt in my mind that Peter Lawell has his hands on the tiller and things won’t change until he leaves the club.Also Rodgers must stand up and push through his transfers even if he has to go public about the lack of Ambition at board level.