Celtic’s board are currently under the microscope.
After a summer transfer window in which Brendan Rodgers wasn’t adequately backed, fan protests have put the club’s hierarchy at the centre of the conversation.
In both Saturday’s Scottish Premiership draw with Hibernian and the upcoming Europa League tie against Braga, the Celtic Fans Collective are silently protesting at the beginning of matches.
Elements of the support have always been critical of the board, but the sentiment now seems to be held among a majority of the Hoops faithful.
And for one ITV commentator and TalkSPORT host, there are clearly understandable reasons for the criticism.
Sam Matterface doesn’t hold back on Celtic board
It isn’t just Hoops fans who are aware of the club’s approach to spending money – at this point, it has become notorious in Britain.
For Sam Matterface, talking on TalkSPORT, there is a clear discrepancy in the club’s approach when in the Champions League compared to when they’re not.
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He said: “The Celtic board have got a lot of money in the bank. Look at the accounts. They’ve got a lot of money in the bank.
“And they just turn around and say, ‘do you know what, we’ve got enough here. We don’t have to spend any more than we’ve spent because we know we can do enough with that group and stay where we are.’
“Every time they get in the Champions League, they will spend money. But as soon as they’re in the Europa League, they say ‘do you know what, leave it.’ They won’t spend it until they know where they’re at.
“They shouldn’t be sleeping on Tony Bloom and Hearts, but they can afford that at the moment, and for the last few years they’ve been able to. Which is why they’ve been amassing all that money. The overall quality of the league has come down rather than been raised.”
Celtic board’s reputation is getting worse and worse
The Hoops were publicly ridiculed by club sporting directors this summer, as a result of their refusal to meet asking prices.
This isn’t normal. There are plenty of player trading models in European football, but few with as pragmatic an approach to spending.
The club has paid over £33 million in tax in the last ten years as a result of their approach to growing cash reserves.
And with relations with the support at an all-time low, it remains to be seen if they can be convinced to change their priorities.
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