Celtic Rumours Archive February 11 2013

11 Feb 2013 21:02:19
Never felt like this before, was only a wee dafty that followed the crowds and didn't pay much attention when we got into the last 16 with Strachan but 19 now, I know what Celtic are all about, I know and took the time to learn about every year of our history, followed them home and away this season and can't honestly say Bhoys and Ghirls when I wear the Celtic top I've never felt more proud in my life. I'm sweating, dunno if I'm horny or excited, Took the week off work so party week for me, The Girlfriend is away to China with our wee Ghirl to visit her parents, and they'll be watching (When I was there I turned her whole Neighbourhood into tims they through a giant party for my arrival and I had a wee bit too much to drink!)her wee bro is over staying wi me his first time at Paradise in Champions League and what a time to choose your first! He's losing his Parkhead Virginity what a time to choose eh! Biggest night for me as a supporter, and every Celtic fan I wish the Bhoys the greatest luck in the world, Win Lose or Draw I'll still be the proudest Celt alive! C'MOAN THE CELTIC!! FB1888

Theirs something about that post that sounds a bit dodgy you better hope your wife comes back soon before her brother cops it

Happy New Year 新年快乐

@1 We are not married mate, lol. And it is possible for someone in China to have more than one kid you know man! haha. I get you though. I was supposed to be on the trip but we got through last 16! am I F**k missing that. Also @2 I'm a Scotsman, I can speak aboot 5 words of Chinese, most of her family can speak English and I haven't got the time to learn, well basically I can't be bothered even though Girlfriend try's to make me learn haha! She want's to move back to China and her parents want me to move over there and to work with her Dad, but I'll miss Paradise way too much! Lovely country China though. FB1888

I can t speak it either mate despite having lived in shanghai and now back in Hong Kong. The time difference here is brutal when it comes to the games as you'll know. Enjoy paradise, nights like that don't come along too often. HH joe

Aye mate, it's right pain in the c**t. I can understand somethings they say in Chinese, but can't speak it back and reading aw mate that's the worst I don't even try eh I just get the bird to the translator lol. Her family lives in Hangzhou mate, Pitty I can't be there to Celebrate there new year. not haha no disrespect but this is the last 16 mate I'd miss my own Funeral to be there! FB1888 And I'll shout an extra hail hail for you mate!

11 Feb 2013 15:27:10
{Ed007's Note -

Celtic plc Interim Report 2012
By: Newsroom Staff on 11 Feb, 2013 15:25
CELTIC plc have released the Interim Report for the six months to December 31, 2012.

Operational Highlights
• Progression to last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
• Currently top in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
• Continued participation in the Scottish Cup.
• Announcement of new shirt sponsorship deal with Magners commencing 1 July 2013.

Financial Highlights
• Turnover increased by 71.0% to £50.06m (2011: £29.27m).
• Operating expenses increased by 30.2% to £36.96m (2011: £28.39m).
• Profit from trading of £13.10m (2011: £0.88m).
• Profit on disposal of intangible assets £5.20m (2011: £3.15m).
• Profit before taxation of £14.94m (2011:£0.18m).
• Period end net bank debt of £0.13m (2011: £7.05m).
• Investment in football personnel of £4.65m (2011: £4.44m).
• 19 home fixtures (2011: 16).

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
I am pleased to report on our financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2012. The introductory page to these interim results summarises the main highlights.

On the pitch it has been a memorable and highly successful period. We started the new season as Scottish Premier League Champions and, since then, we have enjoyed impressive results. At the time of writing, we have a healthy lead in the race to retain our Premier League title and we remain in the Scottish FA Cup.

Of greater significance, though, has been the achievement of qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the undoubted highlight being our victory over Barcelona at Celtic Park in November. Celtic surpassed the expectations of many by progressing into the competition’s knockout stages from a very tough group. Furthermore, the club’s international reputation and standing received a substantial boost. This success had a major bearing on our financial performance in the period under review.

The revenues generated by the team’s success in Europe this year have significantly impacted our half year results, with turnover increasing to £50.06m, a 71% improvement over the previous year. Celtic’s achievements, both domestically and in Europe, have had a similarly positive effect on merchandise and ticketing income, notwithstanding the current difficult economic climate.

The results on the park and additional matches produced an increase in operating expenses to £36.96m and our profit from trading, before asset transactions and exceptional operating expenses, was £14.94m - a significant uplift on last year’s figure of £0.18m for the same period.

As in previous years, we continue to make investments in the playing squad and support services. The management of the playing squad is an important aspect of our business model. In the period under review we invested £4.65m in strengthening the first team squad, and added to this in the January transfer window.

We have a talented first-team pool, with a strong emphasis on youth. Our scouting and player identification processes continue to bear fruit, and our investment in state of the art medical and sport science facilities at Lennoxtown has contributed to optimising performance. Similarly, the ongoing strategy of investing in our Academy is yielding its own benefits as we remain committed to finding, coaching and developing Champions League quality players.

Such investment and player development initiatives have further enhanced profitability, with a profit from transfer activity of £5.2m, largely as a consequence of the sale of Ki Sung Yueng to Swansea, in comparison to £3.15m last year. Nevertheless, we have managed to strike a prudent balance between trading successful, valuable assets and retaining key talent to enhance our prospects of football success. Our financial strength meant that we were able to retain all our key players through the January transfer window and further enhanced our squad with the signing of Rami Gershon, Tomas Rogic and Viktor Noring.

The improvement in trading has impacted on our period end net bank debt, which stood at £0.13m, nearly £7m less than at the same point last year, well within the Company’s facilities. Our success on the park and the maintenance of our robust business model has provided stability in a challenging environment. The second half of the 2012/13 financial year is expected to follow a similar trading pattern to recent years, but buoyed by onfield success including participation in the UEFA Champions League.

Scottish Football has recently endorsed proposals to restructure our domestic league system, with the aim of generating additional interest and revenue for the benefit of fans and member clubs alike. Celtic has been happy to support initiatives it sees as being in the best interests of the Club and of the Scottish game in general.

Off the field, the Club marked its 125th Anniversary in November with a celebratory event held at St Mary’s Church in Glasgow’s Calton where the inaugural meetings that led to the Club’s formation occurred in 1887. In addition, the Celtic Charity Foundation launched an associated fund raising campaign aimed at increasing donations raised for worthy causes.

In conclusion, I would wish to pay tribute to Neil Lennon and his backroom staff, all of the players and all of the Directors, management and staff at the Club who work tirelessly to maintain the standards for which Celtic is rightly renowned. And finally, I would like to thank the fans, who have continued to show their unswerving support at a particularly turbulent but exciting time in our history.

Ian P Bankier
Chairman
February 11, 2013

Full report here http://www.celticfc.net/downloads/SE...sults_2012.pdf

Excellent :-)

Mrs E

Superb results, well done to all concerned at CP. Bank debt at under £200k, amazing compared to just about every big club I can think of.

The cream always rise's to the top. Well Done CFC.
Hail hail

Boogie bhoy

Rangers fan here got to say that's some pretty impressive financial figures celtic have been run very well the last few years credit where its due. . ryan

Great financial results, especially impressed by the timing in heading off any crap that Green might have had planned to spout before our big game. . . . kbt1978

But - I thought we needed a strong Rangers to be successful. What did I miss?

11 Feb 2013 15:41:10
Guys let's stop with the the rangers talk! Com'on this was ch plan to get people to talk about them while it's all about us leave to the newco to talk we have bigger things then some club living in our shadow.
Can't wait for the game it's taking to long to come, I don't know why but I can see us wining 3-1 and that's if Sammy is fit. We have a young club with heart and Lennon will get them up to thier best, but it is going to be tuff cause they are a different club to the ones we have played so far and hope there is some training ground plays that nl could use. We need hooper to be himself and get that one chance and kick it in cause Buffon is hard to get past but with the clubs desire I think we can make it look like we are the ones to be feared. Hope the green brigade has something like in barca as well as the fans to keep them shocked cause they have not seen or be in the atmosphere of paradise yet so let's make sure the world knows who we are and let's send shock waves around the world once again! This has the potential to steal the headlines and the match of the round if we stand tall and play the Celtic way hail hail. C-Bhoy

11 Feb 2013 13:04:23
Anyone any idea what the GB display is going to be tomorrow?

Dont know yet but i'm sure it will be fantastic. c'mon the Hoops. Julieghirl

11 Feb 2013 00:23:02
When we take to the field against JUVE we have to see BARCA; a team that is superior in every way, technically, tactically, physically, and possibly mentally. That doesn't mean we are also-rans. Far from it. I recall the Barca game, where we accepted they would retain possession, move in a slicker fashion, press and control. But if you think back and consider the chances they created you will realise that they were no immovable object or indestructible force. We sparred and took what chances we had. The odd set piece, the over the top ball and bhoy (pardon the pun) did we take our chances. JUVE deserve our respect but that does not mean we cannot be efficient. If every player plays as they can and covers for their teammate and runs that little bit faster and checks and moves and falls back as and when the situation demands, we should be okay 100% concentration, organisation, commitment, patience and endeavour are absolutely crucial. There is no competing against that. If Foster can command, and Mulgrew can deliver and Wilson can hold steady as Emilio and Mathews provide options out wide as they career forward on infrequent breakaways. If Wanyama can rise and Brown can drive, and Ledley can suffocate to allow Sami to run with absolute abandon, watch Hooper take his chance as JUVE retreat. We approach this game knowing that we need 11 from 11 on top of their game and the 12th man cementing the home field advantage. A big ask. A tough ask. Some would say the impossible task. But all we have to do is run as fast, compete, stay disciplined and carry the luck and lady luck has the uncanny ability to shine on the most deserving; not necessarily the best, BUT THE MOST DESERVING. Winning is never everything. That is what makes the Celtic support so extraordinary BUT giving your all is everything; not naively but intelligently, patiently and carefully. we respect the fact that "what will be will be". and all we ask is for YOUR ALL. . good luck to messrs Foster, Mathews, Emilio, Wilson, Mulgrew, Brown, Ledley, Commons, Wanyama, Samaras, and Hooper. together. CELTIC. . 58. 011 versus the OLD LADY. make us proud Graham

Nice post. Celtic ARE good enough if they all eleven play at their best.

Melb Bhoy

Nice post graham but sorry we have to see JUVENTUS! lenny will have done his homework on them as he has done against every team we have played in the cl this year. There lies the key to our success methinks! preparation and meticulous planning of what each individual players job is on the night, Juve have different strenghts and weaknesses to barcelona and it will take different things to nullify and exploit them respectively. And its probably not about 11! its about 14! we will need a strong bench, i'd expect kayal, forrest, commons and miku to be on it primed to come on and do a job. We will need to be patient, top priority is win the game with a clean sheet! I think the starting 11 will be designed not to lose a goal first and foremost, The back 4 depends on what state efe ambrose returns in! he won't want to miss this. We can all speculate all we like about the 11 but in lenny we trust and its a hard call in a few areas. He has been right so far! Having watched juve a couple of times recently I think the referee is crucial! they have not changed in terms of diving and he needs to be strong. its a spanish guy according to italian media! Havent seen it reported here yet? We do need everyone on top form though and we all need to be as well but patient. 1-0 is better than lots of outcomes. can't wait! andybhoy

Great post and let's all hope and pray we can at least keep a clean sheet.

The opening 10 mins worry me as we seem to be really vunerable in that time and give away silly goals. Although we need 100% concentration for the full 90 mins that opening 10 mins we need that little bit extra caution to ensure we don't give away a silly goal.

0-0 I would be happy with as you never know what could happen over there and 1-0 I would be over the moon.

Ian

Cannot disagree. the bench is (as you say) crucial as is the timing of substitutes. Watt's introduction versus BARCA gave them something to think about at the back and gave our defence and midfielder an out-ball when they where toiling. It was a masterstroke. Re "diving", it would be a travesty if the game is recalled for things such as this but it is part of the game. if Hooper falls over or Sami goes down inadvertently I won't be showing either of them a yellow card or turning away in disgust.

Andy when I say "they need to see BARCA" I don't mean literally; I mean figuratively. We need to be as prepared and as focused. Of course the tactics will vary. We should have more possession and I wouldn't expect them to drive on too much either. MY point was that we cannot let our standards slip because Juventus are not Barcelona. I would have said the same if it were Schalke or Dortmund or Man United; we need to prepare expecting a different match by all accounts but one that is mentally and physically fatiguing.

Agree with you graham, Was just saying juve are a completely different animal! andybhoy

11 Feb 2013 14:55:12
Graham good post but it is not 11 v the Old Lady,
it is a GRAND OLD TEAM hail hail Timalloy