Celtic - Not the same draw as they used to be?

[Sam_Heggy]

Harps face the Celtic 1st team on Sunday in Finn Park for John Kennedy's Testimonial.
The entire Celtic "machine" is behind this with John Hartson, the directors and Celtic CEO coming over for the game also.
There is a huge charity theme to this too with is a world record huddle attempt before the game where people donate money to be in the huddle, plus a percentage of the gate going to charity.

3 years ago, Celtic brought over a reserve side and we packed Finn Park making in the region of €70k for the club.
This season (albeit the event is not being run by the club), ticket sales are much slower. Whilst still expecting a big turnout I dont see this being a sell out, despite the advertisements with Celtic players in Parkhead holding posters for the game, plus the announcement of the full squad coming over.

So, does this put our League crowds into perspective?
Is it a reflection of the state of the country?
Does the Irish sporting public just not give a sh!t about Celtic anymore? (or the same sh!t)

Any other club have friendlies lined up?

Apart from the top 4 or 5 sides in the EPL or top European clubs, could any other club make serious money from these games anymore?

[SkStu]

Bohs played Celtic in a friendly a few months ago and it didnt sell out. It was a decent squad too (Hooper, the Irish lads etc). Though that may have been due to the fact that it was organised at very short notice. Even still, you'd expect all LOI grounds to be selling out fast.

[Dodge]

Really do think Celtic have lost their appeal tbh

[Charlie Darwin]

How are the tickets being priced? That could also be a factor.

Celtic are less of a draw than they used to be though. People tend not to be interested in teams that aren't winning.

[CSFShels]

I like to think people have gotten a bit more sense.

[John83]

Celtic are less of a draw than they used to be though. People tend not to be interested in teams that aren't winning.

I think this is it. Back under O'Neill, with Henrick Larsson playing for them, they were a big deal here. Now, much less so.

[legendz]

It's true, people have gotten a bit more sense. There profile is low also, no European runs don't help.
If an LoI club had a European run...

[osarusan]

If an LoI club had a European run...

...Scottish teams would invite them over for a high-profile money-spinning friendly?

[Dodge]

I think a fair bit is over saturation, and the standard of teams Celtic tend to end to some friendlies. Celtic used to be a bit of a novelty. not now though

[Enruoblehs]

In addition to the above, Celtic have let a lot of their Irish supporters down, by promising to being a strong side and then bringing a bunch of nobodies that hardly anyone (especially the casual supporter) has heard of.

Clubs have not helped in these friendlies with 'top' teams also, as they tend to over-hype the visitors - advertising the fixture as 'v Celtic' or 'v Glasgow Celtic' instead of 'v Celtic XI', 'v Glasgow Celtic XI'

There is only a certain number of times that the public will stand for being duped.

[Mr A]

I think the biggest element of it that Celtic simply don't have that many recognised names with them any more. Even if they send their first team there's little to people draw in. Plus of course they have sent over a lot of crappy squads to Ireland in recent years.

[Straightstory]

It would be truly excellent if Irish fans gave up their unhealthy obsession with this Scottish club.

[Dodge]

It would be truly excellent if Irish fans gave up their unhealthy obsession with this Scottish club.

Irish fans have always been more obsessed with man utd or Liverpool so they'll just stick to them (and Leeds/Everton/Arsenal/Chelsea dependent on age)

[peadar1987]

I reckon it's purely because they're not winning at the moment. The people who were up for them five years ago have now switched their allegiance to those most Irish of clubs, Chelsea, Man City, and Real Madrid.

[legendz]

The last few times they won the league though, there was not too much interest in it either.
It's a bit away from happening but it's be a boost to the LoI even if clubs were in the Europa League groups stages, it'd raise the leagues profile. I've heard in Belgium there's been good coverage on how there clubs are getting on in the competition. Holland now have Europa League play-offs, which seem to be working as well. It's a fair enough competition for the last EL place.
The important thing is financial prudence and realism but if TNS can go the path of CL qualifiers to EL play-offs, depending on the draw, one or two of our clubs should be able to. Hopefully the two Rovers can.

[Sam_Heggy]

Hopefully they win 9-0 today though.

[avvenalaf]

Well, I got devoured when i suggested Harps were finished after the poor crowd that turned up for the cup tie with Rovers. Derry back in the top division is the final nail in the coffin.

[Sam_Heggy]

Well, I got devoured when i suggested Harps were finished after the poor crowd that turned up for the cup tie with Rovers. Derry back in the top division is the final nail in the coffin.

Eh? Are you Having a Laugh there mate?
What's that got to do with this thread?
Also, this IS NOT a Harps organised game, we're just hiring out the ground and team per say.

[Enruoblehs]

Bad news for all concerned with this match:

Subject: Finn Harps V Celtic POSTPONED

It is with a great deal of regret that Finn Harps and Celtic have announced the postponement of the John Kennedy Testimonial Match which was due to take place on Sunday against Finn Harps in Ballybofey.

A Celtic spokesperson said: “Due to unforeseen weather difficulties the team were unable to fly from Glasgow on Saturday evening. Despite waiting at the airport until 9.30 pm and everyone’s best efforts, they couldn’t get another fight over. Subsequently, it is with real regret that the Club have been forced to postpone the game.

“The Club will strongly endeavour to honour this fixture at the earliest opportunity and can only apologise to the supporters in Ireland who were intending to watch the team in Ballybofey on Sunday afternoon.”

Further details on the new arrangements for the John Kennedy Testimonial Match will be available on finnharps.com and Celticfc.net.