Celtic are cash rich. The Parkhead club are officially Scotland’s richest club.
Celtic’s last set of accounts showed that the Parkhead club has upwards of £75m swimming around in their bank account doing nothing but gaining interest or going to the tax man.
Whilst real investment is not being made in the Celtic first team, the money could be put to better use in developing the stadium or, at least, being invested in delivering a better matchday experience for the Celtic supporters.
And what Bodo/Glimt are doing right now for a team with a fraction of the resources Celtic have should be a source of embarrassment for the Parkhead board.
- READ MORE: Celtic icon Paul Elliott admits he chose the Bhoys over two-time former European Cup winners
Bodo/Glimt’s £90m stadium investment should shame the Celtic board
Bodo/Glimt are a small team from Norway with a stadium with a rough capacity of about 8,000. Almost eight times less than Celtic Park.
According to a report in Nutmeg, the Norwegian champions average annual earnings are around £10m, but with their success in European competition last season, that rose to £26m.
In a town with an average population of 44,000, Bodo/Glimt face monumental challenges not only to keep afloat, but to get a team of quality on the pitch.
Last season, they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League and are competing in the Champions League group stages this season.
Bodo are also investing in building a brand new 10,000-seater stadium which is projected to cost the club around about £90m with Stadium DB reporting that the development has the backing of local businesses as it will regenerate the local economy.
All the while they are playing and winning trophies in Norway. With five times less of the financial power of Celtic, this tiny Norwegian club are rebuilding a stadium, being competitive in Europe and still winning trophies domestically.
All being done while Celtic Park looks dilapidated, and in need of serious investment with the board hoarding over £70m of cash in the bank.
What Celtic are actually doing with the stadium right now
According to the Daily Record, Celtic poured cold water over the redevelopment of the South Stand as it would have cost £100m. Again, look at Bodo/Glimt.
So instead, what has happened at Celtic and where has there been reinvestment?
- New hybrid pitch
- New dugouts
- Barrowfield upgrade
- Directors box and hospitality upgrades
- Home dressing room and tunnel refurbishment
But nothing, as yet, to improve the experience for the ordinary matchday-going fans. There isn’t even hot water in the toilet facilities.
It’s little wonder Celtic fans’ patience with the board has run out and the next AGM is shaping up to be a tasty affair.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
