This week, we have been reading reports of Celtic and other Scottish football clubs agreeing a deal to ensure that some of our games will be shown in China.
I have to say that I think this a great idea. In a large number of Asian countries, football seems to be a massive thing. Several years ago, about 14 of them, I arrived in Singapore airport on my way to Australia.
Prior to landing, I was giving a landing card to fill out and give to the customs officer. Part of the card had to include my address and the first question that the customs officer asked when he saw ‘Glasgow’ on the card was ‘Celtic or Rangers?’
Obviously one of the two potential answers to that question no longer exist but the point I am making is that even so far back, people all over the place know who Celtic are.
Over the last few years, with some of the Champions League matches that we have been involved in, increased availability of the internet and almost every football match being available to watch online, I can only assume that our profile has increased further over the world.
Now to think of China specifically, we have had a few Chinese players over the last few years and really, it hasn’t gone very well. Du Wei came and went quite quickly and Zheng Zhi (who’s name I still never learned the correct pronunciation of) never lasted very long either.
However, I think now that popularity of football over there is increasing, it’s reasonable to assume that the investment in player development will increase. In turn, you’ve probably guessed it by now, but I suspect that means that the quality of player will improve too.
I know nothing about the standard of living in China but I suspect that if we give a young player from there the chance to come and play at Celtic park and in the Champions league, then we will have a good chance of enticing them over.
As much as most people hate this, including me, a lot of people outside of the UK and Ireland think of both Scotland and England being the same place. It may well be that some players will only come to us with a view of moving to the EPL but for me, that’s fine. As long as the money is right for Celtic.
Of the three main departures from Celtic last season, I think Victor Wanyama may end up moving to bigger and better things. Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson ? I’m not so sure. Hooper seems to be struggling to get a start at Norwich. Wilson is not playing at a level that’s equal to Champions league football so perhaps that will make players think twice about moving from us to the lower levels of English football.
It also gives our management a chance to say to players who are thinking of moving on that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
We all know that our transfer policy of recent times has been to buy in younger players that can be sold on so with Chinese football being an untapped market, why not give it a go?
Of course, I don’t know much about Chinese football but if the players are good enough them why not bring them over? If it means that we can sell a few more shirts over there and generate more money for the club, then go for it.
Well put Joe.
People can say what they want about our board, but when these things are being discussed The world famous Glasgow Celtics name is always in the frame.
Something some people seem to overlook when running downPL and our board.
HH
First of all Steve. Excellent photo choice for your article. Shows exactly what prospective Chinese newcomers can expect in the spl. Secondly only about 20% of Chinese enjoy an Internet connection.
And of these only the Chinese government officials have unrestricted access. But your point is solid. If we buy a Chinese player. More Chinese people will fOllow Celtic. If I sound jaded it’s because I am. We’ve tapped the Asian market before.
And outwith ki we’ve been burned. So let’s only buy a player if he’s good enough and not because he might sell some kits 20,000 miles away.
I hear what you’re saying about Ki Pw, but don’t forget about the marvelous time we had with the splendid Naka.
His now legendary home and away free kicks against Van der Sar will go down in the rich history of our great club.
HH
Sorry I meant Steven of course. On a bit of a loose conection, I was in my hotel prior to heading off to CP on Sat wearing a green jacket my Hoops and scarf, when this big guy wearing an outstanding wolf costume accosted me, frrrrrrrrrump!
It ended up the guy was a big (in both senses of the word) Celtic supporter and only wanted to, rather enthusiastically, tell me what a big Celt he was.
‘Celtic are my team’ he enthused through this rubber mask in an accent I couldn’t really put my finger on, ‘honest! honest! Celtic are my team!’ He kept repeating, as though he thought I wouldn’t believe him for some reason.
All became a bit clearer when he shouted over his two African mates sitting near by, inside the wolf costume was this massive African gentleman who by this time had enlisted the assistance of his two pals to confirm that Celtic were infact ‘his team’!
‘Tell him! Tell him! Celtic are my team! Tell him! Tell him! He continued. By the heavy accent and slightly broken English from his two pals I assumed they were on holiday, or that their visit to the City was part of a bigger European vacation, but they were quite obviously Africans visiting Scotland rather than some of the Afrcans who enjoy living, working or studying in Glasgow.
His love for our great club was unmistakable and he didn’t give two hoots (or should that be howls, lol) who knew it.
They were trying desperately to figure out how to work the cameras on their smart phones, something a ludite like myself couldn’t help them with, as this massive African man in a furry wolf costume held me like a vice in some kind of one armed bear hug!
Unfortunately my taxi had arrived and I never got the opportunity to have a chat with the guys to find out where exactly were they were from or how and why they were in Glasgow, but the big African chap in the wolf costumes obvious love for the World Famous Glasgow Celtic, although a bit surreal at the time, had me smiling all day.
As for your point about scouting the more remote areas for talent, I couldn’t agree more. Whether It’s younger players hoping to be scouted to play for their country or the more experienced player looking to be Scouted by a team playing in a bigger league, any advantage we have in attracting talent to the club should be exploited to the full, God knows with the state Scottish footballs in we need all the help we can get!
HH