THE BIG TOPICS AT CELTIC AGM
MORALE will be high among supporters and shareholders ahead of Celtic’s AGM today, and rightly so.
Neil Lennon’s team are motoring at the top of both the Premiership and Group E of the Europa League.
A place in the Betfred Cup Final has also been secured as they hunt a quadruple Treble.
Chairman Ian Bankier, chief executive Peter Lawwell and manager Lennon should avoid a fiery time of it when they take centre stage at Parkhead.
But questions will be asked and Record Sport highlights the most likely ones.
PLANS FOR JANUARY
Celtic’s bank balance remains extremely healthy. The champs’ financial results for the year ending 30 June 2019 showed a pre-tax profit of £11.3million.
That was down on the previous year following a lack of Champions League group games, but there is still almost £40m in the bank.
With Rangers mounting a genuine title challenge, fans will be hopeful of new signings in the transfer window and will be looking for a positive bulletin on that front.
FUTURE OF TOP STARS
As well as new Bhoys, the punters will seek assurances on keeping their top men.
After seeing Kieran Tierney and Moussa Dembele go for big money in the past 15 months, Celtic have moved to tie down key men such as James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie on long-term contracts to fend-off interest from south of the border.
Top-scorer Odsonne Edouard is the biggest attraction for suitors at the moment and he could fetch £30m.
The French striker will leave the club at some point in the future, but boss Lennon does not want him to go anywhere before the end of the season and the club are expected to back that stance if asked.
UPDATE ON PLANS FOR BARROWFIELD
Celtic announced in the summer a huge redevelopment and transformation of their old Barrowfield training ground just a mile along the road from the stadium.
Lennoxtown opened in 2007 to house the top team, but youth squads have continued to use Barrowfield and fans will want to know how the construction of a huge indoor facility featuring a full-sized artificial pitch and modernised outdoor facilities are progressing.
CROWD ISSUES
Celtic this week copped an astonishing 19th fine from UEFA since 2007 – and a third this term – for banners unveiled at the home win over Lazio.
With a 20th charge looming next month for flares being ignited in the Rome return, club chiefs took the strong decision to close a section of the rail-seated area for Thursday’s Europa League visit of Rennes.
European beaks have also dished out fines to the Hoops for the lighting of flares and the throwing of objects.
For some time now, sections of the support have been agitated over the problems, which often stem from the part of the ground housing the Green Brigade at home games.
Indeed, a number of Celtic fans in the stadium loudly booed them after a vocal protest against the poppy before this month’s home game against Motherwell.
Shareholders will be eager to know the club hierarchy’s feelings regarding the constant issues with UEFA and their decision to close the area for the crucial encounter against the French side.
ANY FUTURE STADIUM PLANS
Celtic have invested millions in recent years to improve facilities both inside and outside of Celtic Park.
New pitches and a spectacular lighting system have been installed inside the stadium, while outside, the impressive Celtic Way has added to the match-day experience for those attending home games.
Club chiefs are always looking to improve things and the fans will be keen to hear of any new developments or innovative upgrades which may be in the pipeline.