The fact that we managed to secure the signing of the latter from under the noses of a team from “the greatest league competition in the world” for less money than they were offering is testament to that mythical lure that only a club like Celtic can offer.
I for one felt that as soon as Gravesen stepped on that plane on Tuesday that Newcastle had done another “Ginola” no us. Thankfully MrLawwell had other ideas.
Add to that the fact that we also secured signings from the champions of both England and Holland, the Celtic community is beside itself with joy at what can only be described as, from a transfer point of view, the best summer we have ever had.
The board must be applauded and congratulated for there hard work and craft in not only bringing these players in, but doing it without selling the family jewels to JJB and remaining relatively solvent in the process. The trip to Japan, which caused so much consternation a mere month ago, pales into insignificance now. Another earner to finance the way forward.
“And now for the science bit”
Here is the summer activity.
Players in:
Gary Caldwell – Hibernian – Bosman
Kenny Miller – Bosman - Wolves
Derek Riordan (pronounced Riordan) £150,000 – Hibernian
Evander Sno – Feyenoord - £300, 000
Jiri Jarosik - £2,000,000 – Chelsea
Lee Naylor - £600, 000 - Wolves
Jan Veneegoor of Hesselink - £3,500, 000 – PSV
Thomas Gravesen – £2, 000, 000 – Real Madrid
TOTAL EXPENDITURE - £8.55million
PLAYERS OUT
Roy Keane – Retired
John Hartson – West Brom - £500,00
Dion “Celine” Dion – Freed
Charlie Mulgrew – Part of Lee Naylor deal
Mo Camara – Sold to Leeds – Undisclosed Fee
Ross Wallace and Stan Varga – Sunderland – Fee rising to £1 million
Stan Petrov – Aston Villa - £8 million
TOTAL INCOMING £9.6 million
Makes for some pretty impressive reading doesn't it, especially when you consider the balance at the end.
9,600, 000
- 8,550,000
1,050,000
Over a million pounds profit after we acquired some of the most exciting names every to grace our hallowed turf. It did come at a cost though and I would like to wish Stan all the best in his future career. I hope we have a sell on clause?
Whether you are pro, anti or have skelfs on your arse for sitting on the fence, I'm sure most of you would like to join me in applauding messieurs Strachan, Quinn and Lawell for their hard work and endeavour.
This could be described as the most significant summer in the clubs history!
Peter Clyde
Player signings and valuations taken from www.keepthefaith.net