It's been a profitable first half to the season on and off the park for Celtic with a nine-point lead tucked away in the back pocket and £50million sitting in the bank.
The Parkhead side released their latest financial update on Friday night, revealing revenue figures had rocketed past £75million in the second half of 2022 after Ange Postecoglou’s team qualified automatically for the Champions League. And the Hoops support reckon the money will only continue piling up in the years to come.
James McSorley, Bothwell, said: “It's great to see Celtic performing so well on and off the park at the moment. Ange and the team are getting the business done on the park so it's good that Michael Nicholson and the board are doing the same off it. What shouldn't be forgotten in the wake of the stunning financial results Celtic have posted is that we have been getting players in that Ange wants early in transfer windows and I hope this is something that continues!”
Henry Moffat from Stirling added to that notion: “What a superbly run business Celtic have become, with over £50m in the bank. And that’s not even including the £14m recently taken in transfers or the fact there’s another year’s worth of Champions League cash almost guaranteed next season. Pus the young squad we have that’s now worth a fortune. That’s what happens when you win titles fairly with your own money!”
But Mark McGill, Glasgow, wasn't so sure with refereeing performances on his mind: “So Peter Lawwell thanks Ange for putting £50m in the bank with the Champions League windfall but gave no thanks to the referees and linesmen who got them over the line to get there?”
The Green Brigade found the cash to pay for a huge banner that took aim at linesman and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross during Saturday’s Scottish Cup win over St Mirren.
But Dr Robert Pender wasn’t impressed with the x-rated display, saying: “It is time Celtic put some control on this group. They are trashing the reputation of a great club and Scottish football, we do not need these groups in our game, and that includes ultras from other clubs.”
Chris Lowe, Yoker, added: “Yet another 50 foot offensive banner 'snuck' into Celtic Park with a derogatory slur against a current SFA official and serving member of parliament. Silence again from the SFA. Why are Celtic treated differently?”
The Hoops put on a late show as they ran up the score on Saints and David Bryce, Troon, still wants more: “Celtic were really poor against St Mirren yet still scored five goals. Cameron Carter-Vickers was imperious while Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate were excellent when they came on. But once again David Turnbull didn’t take his chance. Jota needs to be dropped and Sead Haksabanovic should get a run in the side!”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, called in to hit back at St Johnstone chief Gus MacPherson after he branded Rangers boss Michael Beale “unprofessional” over his McDiarmid Park pitch complaints, saying: “Beale was only saying what everyone else was thinking. St Johnstone’s playing surface is like a cow patch and the team are like watching paint dry.”
