Celtic has defended its transfer strategy in a 1000-word statement, addressing fan criticism and emphasizing the importance of a sustainable financial model. The club acknowledged concerns over recent signings and Champions League qualification failure, stressing their commitment to long-term success and financial discipline.
Celtic Football Club has issued a robust defense of its summer transfer activity following a wave of criticism from supporters. In a comprehensive statement released late Saturday, the club addressed concerns regarding player acquisitions and financial strategy, asserting that simply "throwing money" at the problem is "not a sustainable route to success."
The statement, exceeding 1,000 words, followed what the club described as "constructive" meetings with various supporters' groups the previous day. It marked Celtic's first public communication since the close of the transfer window five days prior, a period that saw the club bring in a significant number of new players – twelve in total.
The arrival of Sebastian Tounekti, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Kelechi Iheanacho, among others, occurred after Celtic's disappointing exit from Champions League qualification at the hands of Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan. This defeat ignited considerable anger among the Celtic faithful, many of whom felt the club had failed to adequately replace key players such as Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah, and Kyogo Furuhashi, despite possessing substantial cash reserves.
Image source, SNSFurthermore, manager Brendan Rodgers has reportedly voiced his own frustrations regarding the timing and overall execution of Celtic's transfer dealings this summer.
In the detailed statement, Celtic addressed several key points:
- The club emphasized that supporters' views are taken "extremely seriously," acknowledging their concerns and frustrations while remaining open to learning from past experiences.
- Celtic refuted what it deemed "inaccurate or misleading information" circulating among fans, which had prompted the need for clarity.
- The club stressed its commitment to a "self-sustaining model" to safeguard its future and comply with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
- Celtic clarified that its cash reserves are "not relevant" when assessing its adherence to these financial guidelines.
- The club outlined its player acquisition process, stating that once a player is "identified, confirmed by the manager, and supported by the board in line with the financial model," they will actively pursue the deal.
- Celtic asserted that Champions League qualification is "not conditional" for signing players.
- The club acknowledged the "clear goal" of completing signings as early as possible but admitted that "many factors and challenges, many of which are outwith the club's control," can impact this process.
- Celtic pledged to "always continue to review and seek to improve our strategy and execution."
"We can never compromise the financial integrity of the club," the statement continued. "It is important to remain disciplined in our approach."
Celtic further elaborated on the purpose of its cash reserves: "The cash reserves exist for the continuous improvement of Celtic and to manage the inherent volatility within football. These funds are used in a measured fashion for investment in recruitment, infrastructure, and long-term development."
Concluding the statement, Celtic reiterated its shared ambition: "We all share the same ambition: to see Celtic succeed on the pitch while remaining strong and secure off it. We hope this statement provides clarity about our transfer policy and reassurance of our unwavering dedication to Celtic's short, medium and long-term success."
The statement serves as a comprehensive attempt to quell growing discontent among the Celtic support and reaffirm the club's commitment to a sustainable and successful future. The coming months will be crucial in demonstrating whether this approach can translate into on-field results and restore faith among the fans.