TWO articles this evening on The Celtic Star got you talking. Niall J started it The Celtic Furlough Debate with some strong criticism of the news today that Celtic will use the Government scheme to find 80% of relevant staff wages with the club making up the 20% difference so that all the staff involved in the scheme will be paid in full during the current coronavirus crisis.
You can read Niall’s strongly held option piece here…
The Celtic Furlough Debate – Why Peter Lawwell has made the wrong call | The Celtic Star https://t.co/2tKbCTpjJ3
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) April 1, 2020
The alternative view was put forward by myself and this follow up piece also carried numerous interesting contribution from readers on The Celtic Star, some agreeing with Niall while others thinking that Peter Lawwell got it just about right. Everyone wants to know what is happening with the CEO’s very large monthly pay-cheque and also if the players have got together to agree a cut across the board for the club’s very wealthy first team stars (mens team only).
There’s also some ‘insight’ into when the season is going to start again and played to a conclusion – pushing the null and void concerns to one side. Oh and the claims that the Rangers have played a blinder by letting Celtic adopt the Government’s Furlough scheme before doing so themselves. That, we reveal, is complete nonsense and the tax-dodgers were in their straight away to get their relevant staff onto this scheme.
You can read that article below…
The #Celtic Furlough Debate – Why Peter Lawwell has made the right call @CelticStarMag https://t.co/9qaAFzbVYu
— Celtic news now (@Celticnewsnow) April 1, 2020
We promised you some additional reader feedback this evening so let’s get straight into that.
“Interesting article on Celtic’s announcement regarding furlough. Love reading you’re blogs but you know what. Our club like everyone else needs to be upfront going forward regarding this terrible pandemic we are all facing. The safety of jobs at all levels is paramount as we fight to survive the crisis. With that in mind I believe that the club are doing exactly the right thing with the furlough scheme. I would love the players and high enders to volunteer a pay cut. Now that would be a great thing HH,” Charles Donaghy stated.
“Absolute nonsense from Niall J. No one at club is losing a penny out of this. The board are being very realistic here,” Tom argued.
“I applaud that Celtic have taken the decision to continue to pay their staff by using the furlough scheme but in particular topping up above the government’s 80% for lower paid staff is the right thing to do in these difficult times.
“However at a time when many fans may struggle to commit/pay for season tickets for 20/21 season which we are being asked to do, then it is absolutely essential that the very high earners at Celtic take a voluntary pay cut in my opinion.
“I think Peter Lawwell has kept Celtic financially sound over recent years and should be commended for ensuring our club hasn’t fallen into a financial abyss when something like coronavirus happens. When we are as successful as we have been in recent years on and off the pitch, he has earned a very high salary as a result, however if the high earners don’t take a pay cut I would be very disappointed in him and his colleagues……let’s hope I am not disappointed.
“In addition while I am prepared to pay my season ticket for the good of Celtic, there may be many that can’t commit by the end of April and thus since we don’t have a season 20/21 start date yet those fans that can’t commit/pay should be given an extended date until clarification of the season start date is given so they don’t lose their seats. This would reflect the ethos of our club. After all as Jock Stein said “football is nothing without fans”.
“From a season ticket holder and lifelong Celtic fan for 55 years only because I didn’t go to games until I was 5,” Martin McCarney wrote.
“As I believe it the players union was set up to get the players a fair cut of their clubs turnover which has been the case for many a year now.
“With these clubs now not recieving gate/TV money and maybe not even sponsorship money where are these people that represents these players at these unpresidented times.
“They need to come out and say we the players union recommend they take a basic salary of say a front line health service worker with the rest going to looking after the behind the scene guys and girls and club who have their training centre and match day ready for all to enjoy. This should also be the same for the executive guys at the top also. No club no wages for anyone!” Andy Kean pointed out.
“Can’t argue with this decision which ensures the lowest paid Celtic employees will continue to receive their normal full wage during these unprecedented and harrowing times.
“However, I agree with sentiment that it would be a huge statement if our chairman and players could volunteer a percentage of their salaries to ensure that none of their above mentioned fellow employees are out of pocket.
“Any residual funds, which I would imagine would be substantial, should be donated to CFC Foundation who do a wonderful job assisting food banks and local charities?” David McInulty suggested.
“Scott Brown should be leading the dressing room re looking at what they can do to ease financial burden on club, but at same time the high rollers like Mr Lawwell should play their part, then the club should look at what steps they can facilitate for season ticket renewals, think big, think support, think and act Celtic family,…. You will get payback in spades,” said Peter Mccarroll.
If you want to comment on this or any other current issue concerning Celtic please email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk
