NICK RODGER

CELTIC announced yesterday they had nearly doubled their revenue in the last six months of 2016 to £61.2 million and had increased their profit from trading from £1.6m to £21.4m.

The Parkhead club’s interim financial report showed huge improvements as a result of their success in qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League.

The Scottish champions’ revenue went up from £31.4m in the same period in 2015 to £61.2m for the final six months of last year – a rise of 94.7 per cent.

In addition, their profit from trading increased from just £1.6m in the second half of 2015 to £21.4m in 2016.

Celtic, who are on course to win their sixth consecutive Ladbrokes Premiership by a record margin under Brendan Rodgers this season, also enjoyed an increase in their profit before taxation.

That rose from £11.7m in 2015 to £18.6m in 2016 while their net cash at the bank went up from £7.7m to £18.6m.

Celtic have enjoyed huge success with Rodgers in charge in the first half of the 2016/17 season and that has been reflected in their latest set of figures.

As well as qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in three years they have won the Betfred Cup and built up a 27-point lead at the head of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Ian Bankier, the Celtic chairman, expressed his happiness at the latest results, but pledged the Glasgow club would attempt to build on them in the future.

“The board is optimistic about our immediate future and firmly supports the self-sustaining financial model that has served us well,” he said.

“We continue to seek to influence developments in domestic and European football through representation on the board of the Scottish Professional Football League, the European Club Association Executive Board and t he U E FA Club Competitions Committee.

“Looking for ward, and entirely in line with our trading seasonality, we do not expect the same level of financial performance in the second half of 2017. In this period we will play fewer home fix tures and no European games.”

Bankier added: “I would like to once more to extend my thanks and gratitude to our fans, shareholders and partners.

“In particular, a special mention must go to our fans for their overwhelming backing of Brendan and the team, which I am sure, has played a huge part in the success enjoyed so far.”