DAVIE HAY reckons Celtic fans can rest easy with their club the envy of many in the footballing world.
The supporters demand success on the field and with FORTY-ONE trophies won in the 21st Century it would be difficult to argue against the players failing to deliver.
Hay is adamant there is no sign of his old club’s domestic domination being derailed and he insists it is a team effort – on AND off the field.
In another CQN EXCLUSIVE series, the club great, now 76, reveals all as he speaks to Alex Gordon, who co-authored the former player and manager’s best-selling autobiography, ‘The Quiet Assassin‘.
READ ALL ABOUT IT…Davie Hay with his best-selling autobiography, ‘The Quiet Assassin’, co-authured by friend and writer Alex Gordon.
Hay said: “Celtic sold Virgil van Dijk to Southampton for £12.8million in August 2015 and, two and a half years later, Liverpool paid £75million for the defender.
“One simple sentence encapsulates the enormous difference between my old club and one across the border when it comes to financial muscle.
“Celtic are operating outwith the elite five superleagues of Spain, Italy, France, Germany and, of course, England.
“The TV money enjoyed by those fortunate enough to be operating in the English top flight is quite staggering. Recent figures show Sky and BT, who share the broadcasting rights, will deliver north of £3BILLION in revenue for the UK market.
“The total global figure is believed to be around £5.5billion.
“You can only wonder of how massive Celtic would be if they could share in those sort of riches. With the club’s worldwide fanbase, they would be out of sight.
“They have yet to get around to slapping a tax on dreams, so we can indulge in a bit of fantasy and wonder of what the club could achieve if they were performing on a level playing field in Europe.
“By a quirk of geography, Celtic are on the outside looking in. That situation isn’t likely to change any time soon, so we just have to get on with taking care of business in the best manner possible.
“That is why the recent financial figures from my old club are so impressive. I worked as an accountant before I went full-time as an aspiring footballer at Celtic in the sixties and I’ve still got a fair idea about end-of-play financial results.
“As they say in my former profession, the latest figures are “robust”. Actually, given the circumstances, I would say the increase in the club’s bank balance to a record £77.2million is nothing short of phenomenal.
SMILES BETTER…Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell.
“The announcement earlier this month revealed revenue had increased by 3.9 per cent to £124.6million, compared to £119.9million in 2023. These impressive figures do NOT include the £25million-plus sale of Matt O’Riley to Brighton which will be included in next year’s financial results.
“A figure of £31.2million was reported in this summer’s transfer window, twice breaking the club’s previous record transfer with £11million shelled out for Arne Engels, from Augsburg, and £9.5million for Adam Idah, from Norwich City.
“Yes, I realise the Celtic fans – and I include myself in that number – are more interested in team sheets than balance sheets, but both go hand in hand to make sure the team continue on the right path.
“There is absolutely no point in looking across Glasgow and patting ourselves on the back when we assess the state of the clubs.
“I have heard some cynics stating you might a well compare a Rolls-Royce with a moped. Okay, it’s not quite as stark as that, but you get the drift.
WE’RE BEHIND YOU…Brendan Rodgers has the backing of the board and the fans.
“There was a time when David Murray, then the owner of the Govan club, tried to rub Celtic’s noses in it when we struggled to get back on an even keel. There were some crass and unwelcome comments made at the time.
“I would like to think Celtic have a lot more class to even think of indulging in such witless remarks. What’s the point?
“Frankly, Celtic are operating on a different level and it’s impossible to envisage the current situation ever being overturned.
“The men the supporters have to thank for that are chairman Peter Lawwell, chief executive Michael Nicholson and the other directors and advisors.
“Dermot Desmond, the club’s major shareholder, gets flagged up every now and again for criticism when things become slightly more turbulent.
“I have seen him labelled ‘an absent landlord’ at times. Listen, someone who is a double billionaire and has amassed a sizeable fortune doesn’t make too many fiscal mistakes.
“The mere fact he appoints folk to positions of power and then trusts them to get on with taking care of business tells you all you need to know.
“As far as I am aware, the Irishman does not meddle with the running of the club. Others in his position may be tempted to play with their train set every now and again.
“Celtic is not a hobby for Desmond. It’s not his favourite toy. He is aware of what the club is all about.
RECORD-BREAKER…midfielder Arne Engels who cost an all-time club high of £11million.
“Of course, the club should always be open to investment opportunities, but there are no hints of a takeover from some power-crazy oligarch or whatever mega-rich folk want to call themselves these days.
“We can all be thankful for that.
“There will always be a bit of healthy friction at world-renowned institutions, not just in sport. As long as it’s constructive and doesn’t get personal and out of hand, then it keeps everyone on their toes.
“With a solid foundation, Brendan Rodgers can get on with his role of making sure the actual football operation is tickng by without too many hiccups.
“There are many bosses in this game who would love to be in our manager’s shoes.”
*TOMORROW: Don’t miss Day Seven of club legend Davie Hay’s EXCLUSIVE look at Celtic – only in your champion CQN.
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