If Celtic are the best run club in Britain, then maybe they should start acting like the best run club in Britain?
Eric Knott 
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sport
I read with interest this morning that Celtic, according to a poll in the Fair Game Index, are ranked as the best run club in Britain.
An article in this morning’s Record goes into detail on this.
Well, for a start, I’m not sure how reputable the Fair Game Index is?
I can’t say I’d heard of them before now.
But I’m sure the board will be delighted with their ranking!
Along with the publicity they’ve received through the media relating to it.
In the overall scheme of things, it means nothing.
Because while we might be the best run club in Britain, we are most definitely a far cry from the best football team in Britain.
I don’t mean this in a derogatory way, because obviously due to being based in Scotland, this is an impossibilty.
However, I do mean that despite our restrictions, we should also aim to have the best footballing operation we can possibly have.
In other words, our footballing operation should reflect our overall way of operating at Celtic.
Clearly, it does not.
But what it does reflect is our board’s ability to utilise it to ensure we are a cash rich club.
Thus giving the impression we are a well run club.
Case in point right now, is the imminent sale of Matt O’Riley to Brighton.
It is inevitable this will happen.
Financially, this is great asset management.
But from a footballing perspective, this only serves to substantially weaken our football squad.
The two operations at Celtic are not reflective of each other, and they never have been.
The club talks a good game in the media, and while there are rumours floating around that Augsburg’s Arne Engels is lined up to be O’Riley’s replacement, do you have faith in our board to break our transfer record, and pay £10 million for Engels?
I can’t see that happening, but I live in hope.
With time running out fast in this current window, combined with the pace Celtic operates at, you can see the reason for my scepticism.
So, while its great to know we are the best run club in Britain, I don’t think that makes a difference to the average Celtic fan out there.
The average Celtic fan is crying out for the kind of investment in our squad required to compete in European competition.
Because if you are a Celtic fan as long as I am, you don’t recall derby games as much as you do European glory nights.
Of which there are many.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of special Derby memories for Celtic fans.
Most of which revolve around us giving the Ibrox side a pasting.
But here’s the thing, we play four or five, sometimes six, derby games a season.
And while we never tire of watching them, or defeating the Ibrox side, we’re all smart enough to know there’s more to life as a Celtic fan than just playing the Ibrox side.
However, we often wonder if the Celtic board sees it that way?
The pinnacle for most Celtic fans is Europe.
We have the best memories when it comes to Europe.
Of nights where we defeated Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Benfica, to name a few.
But above all else, Inter Milan in 1967.
It was that European Cup victory, almost 60 years ago now, that gave us our undying love for Europe.
We were the first British club to win it, and now we are the best run club in Britain.
Yet our board has no interest in putting us in a position where we can compete on the European stage?
Simply because they, not us, believe we cannot compete on that stage.
What would be wrong with being respected in Europe?
As well as being well respected in Britain?
Was it not winning the European Cup in 1967 that gave us the respect we demanded in Britain, and Scotland, back then?
Today, we are cannon fodder for the bigger European sides.
Celtic Park is now considered an easy venue to come to, with an enjoyable atmosphere, and a handy 3 points for the taking.
When once it was seen as a place to be feared, and a fortress for the home side.
But hey, we’re the best run club in Britain, and that’s all that matters.
Well, here’s what I think, if we’re the best run club in Britain, then maybe we should start acting like it?
We could start by closing out this transfer window by bringing in the recruits Brendan Rodgers requires to ensure he has a squad with strength in depth.
Right now, he does not have that.
Within the next 72 hours, we will most likely be further weakened with loss of Matt O’Riley to Brighton.
It is clear when we start to make substitutions late on in games, that we are lacking strength in depth.
This is evidenced by the drop off in aggression, and attacking play.
Simply because we don’t have players on the bench who can penetrate defences like the first eleven can.
We are completely under-prepared for Europe.
This isn’t an observation, but a fact.
We cannot expect our starting eleven to see out games in Europe, as we have to make substitutions.
When this happens, based on what we’re currently seeing, we could be taken apart by superior sides to us.
I know I sound like a broken record here, but we are no stronger than we were at the end of last season.
In fact, our bench is definitely weaker than it was last season.
We are about to land the Scottish transfer record for Matt O’Riley.
This will put us close to £150 million sitting in the bank.
To make no further additions to the squad with that level of finance behind us would be criminal.
If we close out this window standing still, then there should be hell to pay.
Being the the best run club in Britain means nothing.
Because we are a football club first, and a business second.
But our board doesn’t see it that way.
If they did, I wouldn’t be pointing it out with ten days left in the transfer window.
Celtic is one of the best run businesses in Britain.
It is definitely not the best run football club, with the emphasis on football, in Britain.
It has the potential to be.
We have an elite manager.
Just imagine what he could achieve if he was given the players he requires?
So we’ll dream for another ten days that this might happen.
If it remains a dream, that will be a problem, and we all know why.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Like most supporters I have no interest in winning meaningless accolades like the ‘best run club in Britain’ which is only meaningful for the Board and shareholders.
Taking account of recent player sales (Abada, Haksabanovic, Lawal, Kelly) ++ probably MoR and Lagerbielke (and who knows Hatate, Kyogo??) we have spent less than zero on improving the team.
We’ve been ‘linked’ with dozens of new players but brought in none to improve last season’s squad.
Hard to believe this will change in the next ten days – given the Board’s record: a new midfielder – Arne Angels at £10million or Luke McGowan for £1 million — that’s hard one!
New third strip anyone?
Our board have no interest in our support only our money that we plough into our club but will lap up all the accolades.i have always said forever we are Celtic football club not Celtic business club and being an agent 35 years I know I am taken for granted by the past and present board
Excellent article! Spot on on everything you mentioned. It’s all about MONEY not football! The board is quite happy that we qualify for the Champions league and puts tens of millions in the biscuit tin!
Why are we letting one of our most influential player(s) leave…MONEY! It creates a major hole in our team and even if you bring someone in in the next few days he won’t immediately fit in to how Celtic play! I saw Celtic play the 3 games over in the USA and Brendan had them a playing a good style of football, I was optimistic (for a few seconds) that they could progress to the knockout stages of the Champions league then I came to my senses! When O’Riley leaves that will cause some unrest amongst some of the overseas players we have and maybe throughout the team!
Celtic have settled for mediocrity, sure they may win the League and Cups for the next few years but they will get there bums skelped in Europe as usual…but the biscuit tin should be full by then and the board will be happy! It’s all about the MONEY!
We have become a farm club for the wealthier teams in Europe…IMO
Back in the days of Fergus , he always said we must be seen to compete. We are quite clearly not competing on the European front. Unfortunately for Brendan that is how we are judged by the British press. They are currently stating Sevco 5088 are in transition, so winning the league this year will not give us any credence. Surely Brendan must have had assurances to build a quality team/group, otherwise why did he return stating he had unfinished business.
Best run club? No,the board are only interested in profit ,buy low sell high with little thought given to the quality on the park, ask the fans they know.
The board are being very smart they know a massive bill is incoming a very big bill and it could just be the start of tough times,You see somewhere down the line justice for the poor victims was going to happen RANGERS tax avoidance will be Nothing compared to this MASSIVE STORY. JUST SAYING
Here’s hoping the poor victims do get paid out because I’m sure you and your knuckle dragging friends have only the thoughts of these poor people on your minds and wouldn’t participate in any cruel sick songs. As being a celtic fan I whole heartily hope they do get some sort of justice/ payout
While on the subject of poor victims I’m sure you and your knuckle dragging friends would like to see justice for the cruel acts that took place at the crumble dome.
But can’t see that happening since one victim at least was told to go away as when the assault happened it was before your club died and he would have to go to the liquidators for any justice he would be due.
You and your knuckle dragging friends are indeed correct when you say big Jock knew………that’s Wallace and Walter too!
JUST SAYING!!
Celtic ARE the best run club in Britain. This is a fact.
Another glaring fact is that the oeople who make some of the comments like the ones we read daily, for example, the “why don’t we spend all that money we have in the bank?” “We need to be winning European Championships” etc. Then you have the hate and jealous/envy ones from bigots.
These all highlight how uneducated so many people are and make you so glad none of them are running our great club, the club that is officially the BEST RUN CLUB IN BRITAIN.
Joe I’ve not read or heard anyone saying we should spend all our money this season…that’s just nonsense!
What we are needing to do is spend our money/budget for this season wisely and on a better player than what we did last year under Peters laddie.
The fans patience is starting to wear thin.
We are a football club not a bank!
Just asking what do we get for someone saying “ we’re the best run club in Britain”
HEE FEKN HAW!!
It means absolutely nothing
Once again, the author of this article hits the nail sqaure on the head.
As things stand, even with Matt O’Riley in the team, Celtic is no match for some of the more elite teams in Europe. Brendan Rodgers has been telling the Board this for some time, yet here we are getting ever closer to the end of the transfer window and still we don’t have those quality additions Brendan has highlighted as essential for so many months.
Now, in addition to this disgraceful reluctance on the part of the Board to part with a little bit of its amassed fortune on a couple of first-team ready players of quality, the talk is all about selling one of our best quality players in Matt O’Riley.
I have long said that to sell O’Riley at this point in this particular season would be an act of great self harm to the team, yet we all know how much this Board loves profit and will not therefore do what they should be doing by saying to all suitors “He’s not for sale this year”.
Matt will be sold for profit and I guarantee that a couple of cheap projects will be brought in to make it look like reinvestment is in progress. But how do you replace quality like O’Riley at £4m, 5m, or even 8million? It’s not possible.
The upshot of it all – and I think most of us know it well by now – is that this Celtic Board has designated our club to be no more than a feeder club to Europe’s elite. They are not remotely ambitious for Celtic in Europe, all that matters to them is the endless spin of profit they can make from our best players. If we can maintain dominance in the Scottish diddy league against the Ibrox side, then that’s all they think the fans realistically care about. How they misjudge the fans!!
I for one am no longer content to put one over on Rangers, I want those great European nights back, those nights when Europe’s elite were scared to come to fortress Parkhead. Now they come with swagger, knowing they will be up against a Celtic side short in depth of quality and there for the taking. This Celtic Board has a lot to answer for!
Joe,
“Best run club in Britain” with one of the most embarrassing performance records of all the teams in Europe in recent times. Selling out best players and hoarding the profits may look good on the books, but it doesn’t translate well on the field. Think about it!
Legend 7 you have a nerve talking about our club with what happened at Epsteins island, pay the Victims and stop playing the victim, your disgusting club getting at rangers fans fir points scoring when your club refuse to or have refused up until now to pay compensation and to say sorry Only now when you have no choice are you paying up, qnd let me educate you on our club died 😉 the member club is the entity that plays the football That entity Rangers fc is the one that went down to the Scottish 3rd The holding company was liquidated the only time a club dies is when the member club ( the one that plays the football ( is not taken on by a new holding company That didn’t happen to us Do keep up bhoy ps sorry for saying the word entity because we know that has been used by your club so often 😉
Joe
says:
21st August 2024 at 2:42 pm
Celtic ARE the best run club in Britain. This is a fact.
Another glaring fact is that the oeople who make some of the comments like the ones we read daily, for example, the “why don’t we spend all that money we have in the bank?” “We need to be winning European Championships” etc. Then you have the hate and jealous/envy ones from bigots.
These all highlight how uneducated so many people are and make you so glad none of them are running our great club, the club that is officially the BEST RUN CLUB IN BRITAIN.
————-
Joe
Could you copy and paste where you read Celtic fans saying that every penny in the bank should be spent on new players?
I can’t stand lying arseholes like yourself who make a load of shite up and pass it on as fact.
Celtic or any football club will ever win a European Championship as that competition is only contested by countries.
Waken up.
Can
Silly Billy the hypocrite
What is your opinion of
Gordon Neely
Harry Dunn
John Chalmers
Baxter Cavan
Kenneth Watson
Any thoughts?…
Can you think for your self or you just follow follow the other uneducated retarded
racist mob.
Best run club to win the SPL title…that’s where the boards ambition ends, keeping our best players and making an attempt in Europe is what every fan wants, there’s no need to spend endless cash chasing a dream, the players should be retained and adding quality here and there will not empty the bank balance.
Europe is where the club should be playing every year and it’s going to be a lot harder to get there , so selling of our assets is self defeating , what’s the point in putting shackles on a prolific manager to go into Europe ill equipped.
If the board thinks Brendan Rodgers ambitions are solely to win the SPL title they are seriously mistaken.
Billy King you seem to forget Neely and Dunn , Watty covered up their crimes , enjoy staring at the statue of him, the man who helped kill your club and coerced their victims to stay quiet .
Billy King
says:
21st August 2024 at 3:56 pm
Legend 7 you have a nerve talking about our club with what happened at Epsteins island, pay the Victims and stop playing the victim, your disgusting club getting at rangers fans fir points scoring when your club refuse to or have refused up until now to pay compensation and to say sorry Only now when you have no choice are you paying up, qnd let me educate you on our club died 😉 the member club is the entity that plays the football That entity Rangers fc is the one that went down to the Scottish 3rd The holding company was liquidated the only time a club dies is when the member club ( the one that plays the football ( is not taken on by a new holding company That didn’t happen to us Do keep up bhoy ps sorry for saying the word entity because we know that has been used by your club so often 😉
—————
Billy
Your old club was incorporated into a company, they sold shares to run as a professional football club.
In order for the club to then shed its company status before your old club died, the club would have been disincorporated.
This would have meant that every single shareholder would have received a buy out offer for their shares. This would have cost a new owner multi millions.
Nothing like this happened.
Look at the carry on about club licences.
Could you tell me why, if the club did survive, why did they apply for a licence when they already had one?
We know that the new club applied for a licence, have you ever heard of a club applying for a licence when, if they still existed, already had one?
And, going with the same club bullshit, they asked for a licence to be transferred from themselves to themselves?
On the abuse cases, you will be happy to know that insurance will be paying the poor victims rather than the club.
Better that than telling victims to take up compensation with liquidators of the old club yet telling everyone they are the same club as the one that died!
I can’t take seriously abuse from fans of a former club that sent fans into a death trap that resulted in 66 deaths and hundreds injured after ignoring the previous deaths and injuries in 1961, 1967 and 1969 at the same place and doing nothing to make the place safer.
How did it feel to follow a club responsible for the killing of its own fans?
Billy King
says:😉 the member club is the entity that plays the football That entity Rangers fc is the one that went down to the Scottish 3rd The holding company was liquidated the only time a club dies is when the member club ( the one that plays the football ( is not taken on by a new holding company That didn’t happen to us Do keep up bhoy ps sorry for saying the word entity because we know that has been used by your club so often 😉
———–
Billy
What you state is impossible and made up bullshit.
The Companies Act regarding incorporated clubs is quite precise.
The club and company are the same thing, just read up on incorporation.
None of this is difficult to understand, its very basic first year law studies.
The money is in the club…. not the shareholders pockets….
People are so silly.
King silly Billy let me educate you.
There is NO HOLDING COMPANY it doesn’t exist neither does “engine room subsidiary” it’s all made up lies with your big Billy liars in the media who made up the complete nonsense…..FACT!!
If we were point scoring we would have made sick songs in reply to your sick pathetic songs but we are better than that. I believe it’s all in our up bringing, brought up not dragged up…..scum!
There are innocent people involved in Every case who deserve respect for the trauma they were cause. Not read things by arseholes like yourself who point score over football. YOU ARE A SICK INDIVIDUAL
Holding company!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Billy
At the EGM that confirmed the death of your old club it was stated clearly that Chuckles Green tried to buy the club but the CVA was rejected by HMRC and the lying king.
Chuckles then bought the assets and started sevco which he later changed to its current name to target easy marks like yourself into following a new club and dafties like yourself lapped it up,,haha!
Could you tell everyone on how you reacted when you heard that your old club died, and did you cry like a wee baby?
Time to block another Billy🙄. Or is he one and the same as Billy boy? Regardless, he’s getting blocked.
Totally agree once again Eric. The statement is an oxymoron, it should read,’we are the best run business, supported by a football club, in Britain’. ‘Best run club’ is risible.
I agree. Time to block silly Billy boy. His obsession with child abuse is quite disturbing.
I come here to read your articles and the views of a mixed bunch of fans.
I’m not interested in reading the the thoughts of silly Billy boy and his ilk. Although it’s quite entertaining reading the bhoys putting the rat back in the gutter where he belongs chortle chortle
Could the editor of this site please ban these disruptive Rangers contributors who constantly distract from the core of the article being discussed. It is so annoying to have to skip past umpteen contributions from a Rangers troll to get to the next comment on the subject. Please delete the posts of this person and ban him from further attempts to disrupt the conversation. Thank you.
Chisy,
You miss the point. The money may be in the club but the bonuses from it go into the pockets of shareholders. Therefore, the more money in the bank, the greater the bonus.
The People who negotiate the transfer are so poor at their jobs, that if it were in any other walk of life they would be sacked. the time spent is disgraceful and is not helpful.
Totally agree Eric, commendable. Blocking these sad little pathetic individuals again. Their skinto sevco klub mk2 is on the ropes and they creep on here to take their frustrations out.
Can we not just ignore boring Billy then he might just disappear like his club did in 2012!
All I can say great to see so many HUNs on here making comment .
We never stop . Let’s hope they sign the Belgium waffle for a further five years . Need to change you name to the cod fc you get battered every were you go .