Celtic Shorts 08.20.07: We’re Rich!

By: JT | August 20th, 2007

The combination of a fiscally prudent boardroom and sucess on the pitch have led to Celtic’s announcement of a £15m pre-tax profit for the year ending 06.30.07. Along with a dramatically reduced debt of £5m (down £4m), the club’s financial outlook going forward is superb. Remarkably, £11-12m of that profit is a direct result of the Champions League run, including the memorable Round of 16 tie with Milan. As Chairman Brian Quinn put it, “Last year was a very good year for our club and for Celtic plc. And it will be a monumental challenge to surpass it next year, although we will be trying to do so.” The entire report can be viewed here.

***** UPDATE: I continue to be impressed by some of the Scottish newspaper’s coverage of the beautiful game, and Celtic in particular. Check out the article about Celtic’s profits by Daryl Broadfoot in tomorrow’s Herald. *****

Followers of the Bhoys have become accustomed to names like McGeady, McManus, and Boruc on the team sheet the last few seasons. Add to that Donati, McDonald, Wilson, a healthy JFK, and Scott Brown and you have the makings of a team that is extraordinarily young, experienced, and talented. Incredibly, the oldest regular is Nakamura at 29. The average age of the starting back four against Spartak Moskva was just under 25. As WGS notes, imagine what this team will look like three years from now when they’ve been through the European and domestic battles together. A fantastic prospect.

Unlikely to be at Parkhead in three years time is Nakamura. Chief Executive Peter Lawwell says he’s planning to open talks on extending Naka’s contract towards the end of this year. This is the last year of his contract and Celtic hold an option for another season. As I’ve mentioned before, I think Naka will be looking for a new challenge, likely in Spain. I would love for him to retire as a Bhoy, but for some reason, I just don’t see that happening, and its doubtful his market value could get much higher than it will be after another great season at Parkhead.

WGS could be handed a 10 match domestic ban if his four game suspension from last year is upheld and he gets the additional six match ban required by SPL rules for his sending off yesterday at Aberdeen.

And now for some comedy: Bolton’s El-Hadji Diouf wants out of the Reebok Stadium. He claims Celtic are one of the clubs hot on his trail, but the Wanderers’ £10m valuation of him is putting them off. The thought of this jerk in the legendary green and white is just horrific. He’s not worthy of the shirt.