Zappa 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 The days of Celtic fans being allowed on here for a wee chat are over. Banned. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossy 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 But everything that's happened is exactly why I'm curious. Whatever your opinion, it has been an astonishing 12 months in the history of Scottish football. I'm very aware how the fans of other clubs see things but Rangers fans obviously see things in a very different light. Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson once said that a week was a long time in politics. Well, a couple of years can be a long time in football. First some home truths. The current financial and business model in Scottish and indeed European football is unsustainable. Celtic's progress in the Champions League may paper over their cracks for a while but they still need group stages of this competition every year just to break even. Celtic's poor gates for SPL matches this season suggest that season ticket sales could take a serious hit next year and, if they miss the CL group stages as well, then they are likely to face some pressing financial decisions. It is worth remembering that, between 2000 and 2010, Celtic lost over £28 million pounds so their vaunted financial health only looks good in comparison to those who are even worse off than them rather than in its own right. If you add to that the current uncertainty in the SPL with clubs like Aberdeen and Hibs posting losses and Hearts apparently on the verge of bankruptcy then there really is no room for complacency. Scottish football needs major surgery if it is to remain competitive. Unfortunately, it would appear that vested interests are standing in the way of this. The financial and business model really needs to change. Our own misfortune was ample proof of that. But it would appear that, in the rush to give us a good kicking, nobody actually noticed that this was a wake up call to everyone. I would suggest that the first club that changes the model and embraces financial sanity will be the one that emerges strongest in a few years time. And, as football restructures, that strength will be both financial and on the park. The changes that are needed are not rocket science but they do require good management and some serious investment in youth development, merchandising, catering, hospitality and media content delivery to name but a few. It is about building up the ‘brand’ in a world where football is a major player in the global 'entertainment' industry. And it is about being part of structural changes to European football if and when they come about. Manchester United and Barcelona understand this. But very few others have embraced it. I would suggest that those clubs that get on the bandwagon early will be the ones who can become the major players in a few years time. So what kind of investment are we talking about here? Well, if we are honest, we are talking about millions. Probably £30 million just to get the ball rolling. And while you are doing that, the club cannot be posting year on year losses or spending 60% plus of turnover in the team. If you want to invest in the team then you need to build profitability and turnover. And I can only think of one team in Scotland that has brought its wage bill down to around 30% of turnover, has £30 million in the bank and has publicly announced that it intends to invest in the above areas. Of course it is still early days and Green and his management team have still to prove that they can deliver. But Green has been saying all the right things and his refusal to sign a new TV deal is instructive given the importance of media rights in the digital world. Green and his investors have every incentive to be successful because it will make them very rich (or richer than they already are). And, if they are then I would suggest the potential is there for a new golden era on the park for Rangers. He who laughs last laughs best. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted December 22, 2012 Author Share Posted December 22, 2012 The days of Celtic fans being allowed on here for a wee chat are over. Banned. Agreed 100%, keep they manky bastards off here 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComeOffit 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 The days of Celtic fans being allowed on here for a wee chat are over. Banned. Has simplythebest finally been rumbled? Good work. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,231 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 Has simplythebest finally been rumbled? Good work. I assume that was a shot at self-irony. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuznetsov 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 cant really argue with him sadly. we are about 5 years, £20 million, a team of work class scouts and a good management team short of celtic right now. they are miles ahead of us. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 All the wee ginger bigot had to say was I'm here to talk about Celtic, but he couldn't manage it hope his next shit is a hedgehog. As for Dirty Harry at least he's honest dirty is what you get when you don't wash. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 Has simplythebest finally been rumbled? Good work. What the f? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 cant really argue with him sadly. we are about 5 years, £20 million, a team of work class scouts and a good management team short of celtic right now. they are miles ahead of us. Of course we are mate, if you haven't notice him and his like booted us all over the place during the summer making it up as they went along. It's a bit like asking Tyson after he had knocked someone if he thought his opponent would have a sore head in the morning, difference is they thought they would finish us and it didn't happen and the pricks are shitting themselves when the payback comes. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanAllan 0 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 What the f? Don't bite mate. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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