Celtic vs Legia Warsawa (UCL 3rd round qualifier, August 6th 7.45. NOT ON TV).

What I meant was Europa league proper lol. Celtic are a bigger club than atletico as far as I'm concerned. Also they spent a lot less than Barcelona and Real Madrid yet they still won the title and got to the CL final.If we can develop players and play great football I don't see why not.

 

It's far easier in Spain though, when you've got teenage prodigies like Torres breaking through that you can sell for huge money and then reinvest throughout the squad as a whole. Then they've got the South American market where they can find gems like Diego Costa or Aguero, sold for 30 and 40 million respectively. They also have a great youth academy which is again easier in Spain.

I prefer the models of Ajax and Porto when you consider they're in poor leagues like we are, they have a philosophy of football which goes right through the youth ranks and into the team, as well as having excellent scouting systems. They then sell the exceptional talents to keep themselves functioning.

The main thing is we need some sort of plan that either we're going to promote youth, or we're going to scout the entire globe for top young talents. But it must be a well though out plan and the main thing is we give our manager a chance to get things right. You'll NEVER get anywhere unless you give a manager MINIMUM a full season.

 

You do make a great point, but look at Ajax right now, arguably one the best youth academies in the world yet they've been * in Europe for almost 20 years. Porto have not exactly done particularly great in Europe recently with the exception of , of course 2003 uefa cup, 2004 CL ,2011 EL.That was the result of keeping their best players rather than selling them off. Atletico Madrid's current players are either from the youth academy(most notably Koke) or have been bought on the relatively cheap.

 

only flaw in that idea is, were celtic to start producing and nurturing talent of koke's quality they would be transferred quicker than a hooker can drop her drawers. and pistol pete would be heaving suitcases full of cash down to the nearest co-op bank.

 

Aye, we couldn't emulate Athletico.

I'd say the kind of team we are competing with now and should be copying in what they do is Red Bull Salzburg. They may not do as-well in the Champions League, but the state of our team now, look what happened.

They currently have a cracking team, albeit I don't know how much money is being put into their team compared to ours as they are owned by Red Bull.

 

Red Bull have spent a fortune I'm sure.

I'd rather play in the Petrofac Training Cup than sell our soul like that.

Magners Celtic FC *shudder*

 

Here's an example,
Players from atletico's youth academy currently in first team:
-Mario Suarez
-Koke
-Gabi
Players bought by Atletico :
-Godin-roughly 6 milllion
-Thiago Mendes -brought in on loan
-Diego Costa bought for 750k now sold for 32 million
-Juanfran bought for 4 million
-Then of course Chelsea youth goalkeeper Thibault Courtois on loan

Then of course you have more recent signings which are big but I guess my point is because they've kept their best players and gelled together as a team is arguably the main reason why they are so successful now.All I'm saying really is if Lawell pulls the finger then I think it's achievable.

 

Yup. Keeping the best players for longer may give us a sequence of good campaigns both at home and in Europe. I'm fine with not signing massive numbers of players. One or two every transfer window is fine. But only punt deadwood. With a far-seeing board, we'd have had Wanyama and maybe Hooper here with us.

 

I wasn't meaning by selling our name ect.

Since 2010, both teams have spent nearly the same amount on transfers, but they bring in players that they know will be quality, whether that be spending a bit more for someone the team needs, or scouting out players from smaller leagues that will be brought on and sold for more. Which they do a lot more successfully than us.

 

Exactly , however if this was to work then it would require the board to support the manager.

 

The thing is though, they play in Spain. If we had someone as good as Diego Costa, we wouldn't get anywhere near 30million for him. We also wouldn't turn down decent offers to get as much as possible for him.

They also have a much better talent poll than us.

 

Yup. To prevent wasteful signings, the board would sanctions those transfers that are truly needed, and open up the cash. No point in buying another RB or a GK. But this team does need a DM, a CB or two. This would be my priority, as the attacking force can work without major changes, if the tactics are set right. But in Europe, defensive solidity is paramount. So, in total, 2-3 players, with let's say a budget of 10 million pounds in total.

 

Again another good point, however we can invest in our youth academies just like Atletico did get as many young talent in as possible. Focus more on British based talent. About your Diego Costa point , I wouldn't be so sure, victor Wanyama was taken IMO a much higher price than I expected.

 

That's the board's fault, selling players too early.

 

We could, but I doubt we will.

Also, Wanyama had an incredible Champions league run in 2012/13. That's the reason his price was what it was. Lennon said he wanted 20million for him but look what the board accepted, even though in Scotland I doubt we would get an offer of 20million for anyone.

 

But that is something they are not going to change, as soon as a good offer is on the table, they will accept it, we don't wait out for higher offers as the board probably won't want to risk losing out on the fee.

 

Simeone has done a tremendous job at Atletico , he kept the team together developed in the Europa league not CL contenders. I think we can do it . We are a club with so much potential yet we're not using it to our advantage. We can do it.

 

Team quality comes first. An extra season of Wanyama at the club could've easily doubled the transfer fee, if it were so important. I'm sure he's regretting the transfer as well. Scores against Barca and then ends up in...Southampton.
I like Celtic as a football club. Few people cared about the finances of MON era, when we were a force to be reckoned with. I'd like to see a board who will ignore the balance book for a while.

 

That's where we the fans come in, we can force that change.

 

Abysmal performance last night .
The board have it all to answer .
I would expect CP to be half full every other Saturday now which will result in a large drop in finances for the club this season and no doubt reflect in the calibre of players we can expect for the next 12 months at least .
I think a challenging year ahead for us all ?