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Sun, 27 Dec 1998 08:55:35 -0700
Business: The Company File
Celtic 'disrespectful' to Dalglish
Celtic said the consortium's proposals did not reflect club values
The star-studded consortium trying to take over Celtic FC has
accused the club of disrespect and insisted it has funds to make
the plan become reality.
The group is headed by former Celtic hero Kenny Dalglish, who
refused to be drawn on whether he would become the Celtic
manager if the venture proves successful.
But his comments have begun a war of words with the club, who
have challenged the consortium to free both parties from the
present constraints which they feel are obstructing the truth
being known.
Dalglish was speaking publicly for the first time with consortium
members, Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr and Glasgow
businessman Jim McAvoy. U2 frontman Bono is also involved
in the take-over bid.
A news conference was called by the consortium to respond to
Celtic Managing Director Fergus McCann's rejection of its
proposals ahead of the offer being formally submitted.
The consortium expressed anger that they have been denied
the opportunity to meet McCann in person to explain their five-
year plan in detail and stress its seriousness.
Not in 'best interests'
Celtic Vice-Chairman Brian Quinn said on Friday: "We have
considered the consortiums proposals and, after discussions
with our advisers, are unanimous in our view that this approach
is not in the best interests of Celtic, it's supporters and
shareholders."
McCann said the proposals "failed to reflect Celtic's values and
aspirations".
McAvoy said: "We believe this club needs investment now and
though it is difficult to be specific in the next week we would
wish to continue a dialogue because Mr McCann has a 50.3%
stake that we want to make an offer for.
"We expected we would be granted a meeting but nothing was
forthcoming."
McAvoy said he had reacted with "disbelief" when informed of
Celtic's rejection a mere half an hour before stance public.
He added that the Banker's Trust working alongside the
consortium was investing rather than supplying money in the
form of lending.
"There has been a misconception about the money we have
available but I can say that we do have deep pockets."
Jim Kerr attacked McCann's decision to speak to the consortium
only through his advisers and complained: "We did not get the
chance to talk to Mr McCann. They were not man enough to
meet us.
"I am here as a fan who is speaking from the heart and who feels
this club has been in disarray for too long. Amid all the financial
talk there has not been enough mention of football which to me
always comes first.
"The main thing is centred around football. That's encapsulated
andsymbolised by a football great, a Celtic great, who has been
shown short shrift, sheer disrespect.
Kerr spoke passionately when he declared: "His name is Kenny
Dalglish, a winner. That's what we need at Celtic. Money can't
buy this."
The trio stressed their emphasis would be on a football-minded
Celtic but with the business sense to invest without incurring
debt as they focused on overdue European success on the field.
Dalglish stressed the decision to go public with their objectives
was not intended to be "hostile".
"Fergus McCann said he had given five years' service to the club
but that is only half the service I gave the club as a player."
He refused to discuss who might manage the club, saying it was
not an issue for the consortium at present.
But his mask slipped slightly when he was asked if he wanted to
be involved in the playing side and answered: "I would hope so,
maybe play with a pin-stripe suit on."
Celtic demand freedom of speech
The club have rejected the criticism in a brief statement, which
said: "If the consortium released Celtic from confidentiality then
the shareholders, supporters, media and general public would be
in a clear position to evaluate the consortium's approach.
"If the consortium is genuinely interested it should make a bid for
Celtic in the proper manner which to date it has failed to do so.
"If it did, all information in respect of any bid would have to be fully
disclosed which would be in everyone's best interests."
Scotland coach Craig Brown was asked, during a match commentary
for Radio 5 Live, whether the controversy off the field would affect
the players.
"I think too much is made of this," he said. "The press make a big
deal of various things off the pitch but my experience over 30 or 40
years has been in the dressing room and it's very uncommon for
things off the field to influence what happens on the playing pitch.
"It's sometimes used as an excuse, I think."
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>From The Irish Times:
Dalglish serious about Celtic bid
Kenny Dalglish shook with passion yesterday as he explained why Celtic need
him as their next figurehead, and said he is committed to fight on for
control at Parkhead through his "footballminded" consortium.
After their initial proposals were rejected on Friday night despite neither
a formal bid tabled nor a meeting with managing director Fergus McCann
granted, the angered consortium adopted a gloves-off approach yesterday.
Dalglish was joined by Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr as well as Jim McAvoy,
while the group confirmed U2 frontman Bono was among those with the
financial muscle helping to make their vision for the Glasgow club a
reality.
The trio dismissed McCann's suggestion they cannot be taken seriously by
outlining both their commitment to the ideals of the club as well
emphasising the funds were in place to launch a full takeover.
Dalglish said: "We are football men. It is in our blood, we are footballing
people, but to get the football right you must have financial support and
backing which we do.
"The current ground at Celtic Park is as good as anywhere, but there is no
point having that right if you cannot do it on the pitch, that's the most
important thing when it comes to being successful.
"We are not faceless individuals, we are up front and want people to see
what we have to offer.
"There is nobody who does not have any money involved in this bid; McCann
talks about debt, but we have substantial funds. The Bankers' Trust are in
there as investors and shareholders to finance what we want to achieve."
Dalglish admitted persuading McCann to release his 50.3 per cent stake in
the club to them will prove a major challenge, but echoed McAvoy and Kerr in
demanding the right to be listened to.
He added: "We know there is only one person to buy from and that's Fergus
McCann. If he doesn't want to deal that is up to himself; I speak from the
heart as a genuine Celtic fan.
"Fergus McCann said he had given five years service, but that's only half
the service I gave the club as a player and a fraction of what supporters
like Jim Kerr have given. We'll happily put our service records on the
table.
"Fergus is an intelligent man, or so I am led to believe, and we have
outlined where we are coming from. We are honest and would rather give a
manager a wad of money for players than the chairman."
Rock star Kerr was fuming at McCann's treatment of Dalglish, a Celtic
legend, and voiced his fears the club's supporters would be the losers if
the consortium are ultimately forced to accept defeat.
He said: "The reason why we have put this together is the whole thing is
centred around football; that is symbolised by a Celtic great who has been
shown short shrift and disrespect when Kenny Dalglish is what the club
needs.
"I'm here as a fan who wants to see football come up the agenda in Celtic's
future because the past 10 years have been frustrating. But we never got a
chance to meet McCann - they were not man enough to meet us.
"Rejection is rejection, but we were trashed. Either the club don't fully
understand what we're about or Celtic is not for sale at all. Unless
football is part of it, whoever controls Celtic will let them down."
McAvoy revealed that the consortium's interest, with the backing of venture
capitalist group BT Capital Partners Europe, was first expressed in October
after McCann made it known he wished to sell.
Advisers for both parties had been in regular contact, but only at late
notice were the consortium informed of Celtic's decision to make public
their rejection of their overture on Friday night.
Understandably stung at the veiled accusation from Celtic that even
considering them had been a waste of time, McAvoy expressed his "disbelief"
at how McCann had chosen to handle matters.
McAvoy said: "Celtic asked us to release them from the confidentiality
clause at 10 minutes' notice; we refused, but they went ahead with their
announcement anyway. Our interest in Celtic remains strong and is not
limited to our proposals."
-------------
>From CNN:
Cher and Whitney Want to Sing with Bono
World Entertainment News Network
20-DEC-98
(DEC. 20) WENN/P - CHER AND WHITNEY WANT TO SING
WITH BONO American singing superstars CHER and WHITNEY
HOUSTON are queuing up to work with Irish supergroup U2.
Cher has even dedicated her new book to the group's frontman
BONO, hoping to attract his attention.
She says,"U2 are a group who have stood the test of time and I
would really love to do a duet with Bono, he's fantastic."
Whitney Houston has just released her first studio album in
eight years (90) and was bitterly disappointed that Bono could
not contribute to it.
She reveals,"It was a real shame because I desperately wanted
to work with him. His schedule was just too busy and he couldn't
find time. But I hope that we can work on a collaboration at some
stage in the future."
Other music stars who have openly expressed their admiration
of the SWEETEST THING hitmakers include BRUCE
SPRINGSTEEN and BB KING.
King toured with the group and also released the single WHEN
LOVE COMES TO TOWN with them.
He says, "I have seen groups come and go over the years, but I
think U2 are one of the all-time greats." (RXT/NOW/GS)
-------------
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