Celtic’s finances have become the subject of intense debate after a bold claim from a fan suggested the champions could bank an extraordinary sum this summer.
Hotline regular Peter Lyons sparked the conversation by predicting Celtic could end the transfer window with £203 million in the bank by selling top stars and qualifying for the Champions League.
The claim drew an immediate and sharp response from Rangers supporters, with Jimmy Strangers from Tranent leading the charge against what he called wishful thinking.
Strangers said: “Peter – wake up. Every year, we hear about the so-called £70m you have in the bank. This story has been told for at least the last eight years and you are living in cloud cuckoo land if you think you will get £93m for the five players you mention in your letter.”
He added pointedly that there had not been a single offer for any of the players in question during the current transfer window, further undercutting the optimistic projection.
Martin Roberts also weighed in, saying: “My God… I thought the Ayr town clown Gordon Ashley was bad enough with his value of his team players. But now we have another belter. Peter Lyons, IF is a big word.”
Celtic have already spent £6 million on Colombian striker Camilo Duran, and supporters are now pressing the board to strengthen further after the club announced a partnership with luxury watch brand Christophe Duchamp.
Jim Docherty was unimpressed by the sponsorship news, saying: “Watch this space! Celtic have signed a world-famous brand, and if they manage to complete new players, they will be donated a Deuchamp Watch – yipee. Where are the promised signings?”
Across the city, Rangers continued their busy summer recruitment drive as Cammy Devlin became the club’s sixth signing of the transfer window.
The volume of midfield additions prompted Kevin Kean from Inchinnan to joke: “Another midfielder? I see McInnes has this revolutionary new formation, 1-8-1. Quite bold in this day and age.”
Not everyone is laughing at Rangers’ transfer activity, with Robert Livingstone from Palm Beach offering a more measured but enthusiastic assessment of the club’s rebuilding work.
Livingstone said: “Motto on Rangers badge says ‘Ready’ and that looks the case with a number of good signings with Devlin and Shankland. Surely this is their strongest side since winning the league in 2021?”
Nicolas Raskin has also attracted attention following his performances for Belgium at the World Cup, but not all supporters are convinced his reputation is fully deserved.
Kevin Wark dismissed the surrounding hype, saying: “Ah, Nico Raskin, the inevitability of it is laughable. A guy who plays, very occasionally, well for the third-best team in Scotland and has had a couple of half-decent performances for an over-the-hill Belgium team is now worth a fortune.”
Hotline regular Gordon Ashley from Ayr stirred further debate by declaring Hearts the main challengers to the champions, while suggesting Aberdeen, Hibs, and Rangers would make it a competitive four-way battle for the top.
England’s progression to the World Cup semi-finals after a nervy 2-1 victory over Norway also drew comment, with Bernie Carr from Jersey quipping: “Norway should contact Trump and get England thrown out after the ball hit the TV cable. All of Scotland would agree.”
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