Bhoycie 
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The debate has begun.
So has some squabbling.
It was always going to be this way during the Window.
Before the Manager is even officially appointed is surprisingly early, or is it more a case of the Managerial appointment being surprisingly late!
The debate circles around whether Celtic will properly INVEST this Summer.
The hopefuls say yes of course, why else would Martin O’Neill take the job.
The pessimists say no of course not, when will you ever learn?
Anyone declaring either outcome as matter of fact are clutching at straws too.
Lets start with the hopeful theory – there will be a “warchest” for O’Neill to spend.
What does that even look like in today’s era for Celtic?
In 2000, Martin was able to spend big on Sutton, Valgaeren, Thompson, Lennon. £20m approximately, whilst remember receiving £6m for Viduka. The following summer there was a decent outlay on Hartson, Balde, Guppy and Sylla. £10m approximately.
Fast forward 25, yes 25 years and is it that hopeful to expect £30m investment in one Summer window?
Combined with the monies coming in for player sales which are bound to happen, £77m cash already in the bank and a potential £35m Champions League bounty, surely it isn’t overly ludicrous to expect some decent expenditure?
Martin O’Neill has surely made demands of the Club before committing.
We discussed yesterday the rumours he wants a new playing style at Celtic, this can only happen with proper investment in the first team, surely this has been made clear at the discussions.
Celtic CAN afford to get this Window right.
Believe it or not, we are in an incredibly strong position to enhance the squad, make the Champions League and still improve the Balance sheet at the same time.
Everyone’s a winner.
The pessimistic side says of course we have been down this road many times.
For each valuable asset let go, an inexpensive project comes in.
Celtic have a knack for failing to kick on whilst in front. After all we have been in front for most of this millennium by a distance domestically.
Fearing that we will be asset stripped again whilst watching underwhelming buys come in the door is a fair and evidence based opinion to land on.
We cannot afford another “9 in a row” summer like 2023 where we sign 9 players and none of them cut it in the first team, none of them reap any profit in the market when let go either.
The other concern is of course that even if we do invest then we will scale back the next couple summers to balance out this one.
See Ange’s first Summer, heralded still by so many as an amazing window from Celtic.
Let’s be clear – they had no choice but to do so in that window. Ange arrived so late after the botched Eddie Howe chase, and the squad was so threadbare he simply had to be backed – and fast.
Look at his next Summer in 2022 – an absolute scale back in investment, despite Champions League group stage football GUARANTEED.
I remember tweeting then, listing the arrivals and telling fans the term I use now on every article here – Keep Your Eyes on the Board.
I was hounded for it at the time as the supporter split then was still 90% in the hopeful bracket.
It isn’t now.
I wasn’t then.
Of course though as a football romantic I cannot help but feel there is a chance, some sort of chance we see a level of spending this Summer that is actually satisfactory.
Why? My Achilles heel in all these debates so far this summer is my emotional pull towards our manager.
“Surely he has got them told!” I am telling myself time and again.
How convinced I am of this is another conversation but I am trying to be on the hopeful side.
Whatever your take is, there is going to be a lot of fans arguing the toss as the window ensues.
We wouldn’t have it any other way, would we?
Catch me live on The Bhoycie Bus tonight talking about this and much more from 8pm
Keep Your Eyes on The Board.
Unreal article. Well done boycie boy