Former Celtic captain Andy Lynch has poured cold water on the idea of the Hoops following Rangers down the path of foreign investment.
While the Ibrox club recently secured fresh financial backing from overseas, Lynch insists such a model would be at odds with Celtic’s identity and the expectations of Hoops supporters.
Lynch, who skippered the Hoops from 1978 to 1980 and collected three league titles during his time in green and white, knows a thing or two about takeovers. In 2010, he was involved in a £400m bid to purchase Liverpool.
Reflecting on that experience and the current state of Scottish football, he drew a clear line between Celtic’s self-sufficient approach and the growing trend of foreign ownership elsewhere.
He said: (The Herald), “Just look at the Premier League now. So many of them are owned by overseas businessmen or investment funds. That is even true in the Championship and down the divisions down south. Now it has happened at Rangers with this takeover.
“The way that Celtic go about their business is still preferable for me.
“They are self-sufficient, enjoy consistent success, post profits every year and have money in the bank. They aren’t reliant on anyone to bankroll them.
“I don’t think Celtic could go down the route that so many other clubs have, I don’t think the fans would ever allow it.
“You never know, of course. If they were to lose a few titles then anything could theoretically happen. At the end of the day, money talks. If they ever found themselves unable to compete, maybe the outlook would change. But I do think Celtic supporters would always be eager for a Celtic fan or fans to remain as the major powerbrokers.”
Lynch’s comments come at a time when Rangers are undergoing significant change following a foreign-led ownership shift; however, Celtic have been able to make consistent profits over the years, meaning that if they want to have a big summer spend, they can do so without worrying about going out of business like others.
Under the leadership of historical figures like Fergus McCann, Celtic rebuilt their financial base in the 1990s and haven’t looked back since. Champions League revenues, domestic silverware, and a sound player trading model have helped keep the club well ahead of the chasing pack.
With a settled squad that includes experienced leaders like Callum McGregor and emerging talents such as Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston, the Hoops appear in no rush to jeopardise their stability.
For all the noise coming from the south side, the reality is that Celtic remain firmly in control of their own destiny. Until Rangers get their managerial house in order and can sustainably match Celtic’s performance both on and off the pitch, there’s little reason for concern in the east end of Glasgow.
