Our writer Alastair Moncrieff poses an interesting question – Are Celtic still a Big Club? Read on for his conclusions.
As Celtic supporters we’ve lived through some interesting times, we have witnessed unprecedented triumphs, heart-breaking failure, and periods of mind numbing monotony. Through it all though there has been one constant, something wholly irrelevant to what occurs on the green grass of ‘paradise’, Celtic have always been a ‘massive’ club.
On the face of it the question on which I’m basing this article is ridiculous, of course Celtic are still a big club, look at the size of the stadium, look at the global reach of the ‘brand’. Attendances may be dwindling (for various reasons) but 99% of clubs would kill for a matchday going support the size of ours.
The thing is my friends; football has changed, possibly beyond all recognition and probably irrevocably. The parameters upon which the size of a club is judged have shifted. And stuck in the financial black hole that is the SPL we just don’t measure up any more.
There’s a good chance that by now you’ve stopped reading and are directing a volley of abuse my way via the comments or twitter (bring it on!) but if anyone’s still here I’ll try and illustrate my point a little.
It, of course, all comes down to money, and more specifically ‘moneyball’.
For those not familiar with the concept it’s basically the ‘buy ‘em cheap’ (and young) and ‘sell ‘em high’ policy that we’ve implemented (successfully) in recent years.
Now I have no problem with ‘moneyball’ (except the stupid American name) and it is without doubt the only viable path for us to take. It has allowed us to build a talented and vibrant side, capable of producing moments of genuine quality. That the search for unearthed talent has by necessity been extended far and wide, has meant that we have had the pleasure of watching players who previously would have remained well off our radar. If we weren’t actively looking for players we could eventually move on for a tidy profit, then guys like Wanyama, Kayal, Izaguirre and so on would never have pulled on the hoops, the risk of them not adapting to Scottish ‘fitba’ would have been too great to justify the outlay. Instead we’d have ended up with less talented, older and more expensive recruits, probably sourced from the lower reaches of the English Premier League.
So like I said it’s the way to go, it makes sense on the balance sheet and on the football pitch. But here’s what’s concerning me, here’s what forced me to ask the question at the start of this piece. Our transfer policy places us squarely in the realm of ‘selling club,’ and if we are a selling club, then surely that precludes us from describing ourselves as a ’big club’.
I can tell you’re not convinced, so in an effort to persuade you, I present to you the case of Gary Hooper. In my personal opinion Hooper is one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen at Celtic Park, his movement, his touch and his composure mean that, for me anyway, he could play at almost any level (incidentally I don’t think he will because he’s a fat bastard and his attitude is, at best, questionable). Now even those of you who don’t think Hooper’s ‘all that’ would surely agree that he is one of the jewels in our crown. Hooper is the epitome of ‘moneyball’, he was brought to the club (relatively) young and cheap, the intention was always to nurture his undoubted talent and move him on. The player himself would have been perfectly aware of this; the move to Glasgow was always intended as a stepping stone. The issue here is where his next step will take him.
If the recent transfer chatter is to be believed (and that’s a big if I admit) then our top striker will not be leaving us for one of football’s giants (I really don’t buy the Juve rumour), he won’t be leaving us for regular jaunts into Europe and to challenge for trophies, no one of our best players will be heading out the door with only the prospect of, at best, English Premier League mid-table mediocrity ahead of him.
What this essentially means, is that due to the stark difference in the financial landscape either side of Hadrian’s Wall, going from Celtic to a team like Norwich or Southampton is now seen as a ‘step up’.
If that is the case, and I strongly believe it is, can we really consider ourselves a ‘big club’? I would argue no.
There is of course a caveat to all this, if Celtic ever gain access to the wealth of the EPL then we would soon dwarf just about every other club on the planet. Let’s be honest though, no matter how hard Peter Lawell rubs his magic lamp, there’s very little chance of a genie popping up and granting us that particular wish.
If you feel like arguing/abusing/praising leave a comment or get me on twitter https://twitter.com/allymonc I will always get back to you (eventually)
Cheers mate, excellent point on the status of the clubs Macari etc went to. The only thing I would say is that yes we’ve always been a selling club to an extent, it’s just that’s how we’re defining ourselves now. In most respects we will always be one of the worlds biggest clubs, but the bigger influence money has the further behind we’ll fall. Oh and yes the English media is ignorant to the true size of our club.
I gave the example of Arsenal. They have won nothing in six years yet as long as they continue to qualify for the CL they make about £25M-£35M every year on top of their EPL revenue. This money allows them to grow their brand while being involved in the CL gives them added exposure world wide and attracts players.
The distortion in the way CL money is divided up also ensures that teams who come from countries with the biggest population get the largest slice of the cash.
One other point how many times do you hear a manager in the EPL interviewed at the start of the season and when asked where he would like to finnish in the league they respond ‘Top four’. This in my mind demeans their own league. Could you imagine the likes of Bob Paisley saying that in Liverpool’s hayday in the late seventies. He would have been hounded out of Anfield.
The model Celtic have adopted is similar to Lyon’s and they have managed to grow their brand, entice young players, sell them on at a profit, while dominating the French league.
They have now been by passed by Paris St German who have acquired wealthy owners who are throwing money at the club.
Ultimately the only way Celtic will become a big club in the terms you describe is to be taken over by someone who will pay ridiculous money to entice players to the club. I’m not so sure I want to go down that road having seem what happened down Govan way.
I’m struggling to deal with your considered and balanced response. I actually think Arsenal are in a similar boat to ourselves in that players are using them as a place to develop their skills and move on.
I agree that having some uber wealthy benefactor run the club as he sees fit is not the way forward. I think the way we’re heading is the right way to go, it just means we might need to re-evaluate our standing in the game.
The financial side of football is in a few levels. The initial level is what you can make domestically and unfortunately this is where we are getting trapped by people who couldn’t promote any product in any meaningful way.
I wrote an article regarding the promotion of the Scottish game for this very site some time ago.
Secondly what you can make financially in Europe but again we are disadvantaged here as well due to the financial distribution outlined above.
I agree about Arsenal but that just goes to underline that there are many levels within football.
Just take Effe Ambrose for instance; he was purchased from a small team by an Isreali team. He was then purchased from the smaller team from Israel by ourselves. If he does well with us he will be sold to a team, most likely in England and if he does well there then he will end up an any one of the top six in the EPL. All the while with each move he will get an increase in wages and a signing on fee.
I akin it more to the food chain. Every club has its level and feeds off those below while being susceptable to the bigger fish above.
Two decades ago we bought Brian McLair from Motherwell and ge eventually went to Man Utd. Murdo McLeod was bought from Dumbarton I think and he moved on to Dortmund.
Now we have spread our net wider looking throughout the continent to unearth talent to play and sell on.
Relativity speaking our club is neither bigger or smaller than before. Only people’s perspective of Celtic changes. And this is down to many things. I. E. a great run in Europe. A marquee signing and so on. But in reality the club has not changed ” size ” since it’s initial growth. It really is a moot question.
I think we just about agree that the size of the club hasn’t changed just maybe the parameters upon which that size is judged.
You may think it’s a moot question (you might be right) but judging by the number of comments I’m not sure everyone agrees!
And that’s the beauty of being a free minded free thinking Celtic supporter. We need no affirmation of our stature. If dermot suddenly decided to gamble with the club and drop 200 million on lennon ( a move he could certainly do ). Would we be suddenly bigger ? No. Of course not. But we would still be Celtic. The reason we are regarded as a massive club worldwide is because everyone knows its not just the money it’s also the honour and the passion and the glory and ultimately the fans. And in this respect Celtic are truly second to none. HAIL HAIL
Definately a thought provoking article, or just provoking! There is no doubt Celtic are a huge club. Maybe not in Global financial terms(British even!), But there are aspects to the club which the wealthiest clubs will never have, or ever buy! Such as the reasons for our conception and continued charitable works(not just PR) Our 125 year history, both good and bad, The fanbase attracted to the club, The never to be equalled big cup win by beer drinking,fun filled locally recruited players, A passion to play football the “right” way, Jock Stein and his contribution to the modern games thinking, Jimmy Johnstone who was cheered by the opposition for the pleasure given, The respect afforded our clubnd fans on Euro trips. In short, Memories of a lifetime! Not distant memories, I.e. Seville, Barcelona. There are more dreams and future “memories to come. We are a massive club who inspire envy in others. Still a big club??? Ask the greats of Barcelona. They will tell you.
Damn you, barcabuster. I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry today…
What makes barca’s comment better is if you read it to yourself in a Winston Churchill voice.
I absolutely agree with the (eloquent) barcabuster. In most respects Celtic always have and always will be a huge club, our history is something we should always treasure. It’s just the game is changing and limited by financial constraints I worry we’ll be left behind.
disagree with ally totally here, money DOES NOT make a football club, thats what they want you too think, and ally, you seem to have bought it.
how can a player ”FURTHER” his career by moving to a mid league premiership team? that is utter nonsense, they are clearly just going for the bigger wage, for example, just imagine for a minute hooper was sold to southampton, sunderland, norwich etc, how on earth could anyone consider that to be furthering their career? moving from one of the biggest, best supported clubs in the world, who compete in europe EVERY season, and who more importantly, win trophies every season, to and average at best team, ITS AW ABOOT THE MONEY. . .celtic are, and always will be, one of the biggest clubs on the planet. dont be fooled, all that glitters is not gold. HAIL HAIL & happy new year. . .
Right I don’t think a move to Southampton or Norwich or whoever is a step up, of course it’s not. The problem is for whatever reasons, some players do. That’s my point mate.
The answer is no ,Celtic are not a big club , A big club would invest most of the £20m they have amassed this season trying to get past Juventus !
Celtic are a great club with a great support but not a big club like say Chelsea , Liverpool etc.
I would say that if Celtic ended up in the EPL then they could become a monster of a club and with the revenue on tap in the EPL Celtic would invest in the best players and no doubt compete.
Rangers have blackened the name of Celtic for years with their loathfull bigoted support and this drags Celtic’s name down with them.
It would be better if Rangers did not exist at all , We do not need the hastle.
Interesting point mate.
define a big epl club
man utd, 100’s of MILLIONS in debt
chelsea, 100’s of MILLIONS in debt
arsenal, 100’s of MILLIONS in debt
liverpool, hahahaha
man city, 1/2 a billion on players!
is this the “blue” print!
take away sky money and they are ALL knackered
ronaldo and his agents “used” man utd as a stepping stone to Real Madrid, does that make them an inferior club to Real?
your definition of a “big” club differs from most, is it stature in their home country? the world?
their fan base? history? or how much money they can beg but not afford to pay back?
so a player moves from celtic to say villa, whoopee, double, treble his wages, does that mean villa are bigger than celtic? no, villa have more money to piss away, YES
did demba ba move to chelsea because they are a “bigger” club? NO
the pound is god, and whoever is paying the modern football mercenary the most they will go to and kiss the badge
tell us what is wrong with buying cheap and selling for profit?
it’s about the only way we can generate decent cash
hope i sleep well being a supporter of a smaller club than qpr! or even THE epl champions man city, thank goodness we did’nt get them in the last 16 of the champions league!!!, cos remember folks, if you got the pounds your a big BIG club
gimmie my wee celtic any day
try doing what fergus did with one of your BIG epl clubs, youd be a faller at the first
hail, hail wee club fans
There is nothing wrong with buying cheap and selling on (I say that in the piece) the English model is corrupt and broken. What I’m talking about is players seeing us as a stepping stone to mid level EPL. I don’t agree with it, I’m just making a point.
At no point do I say purely having £s make you a big club.
quote: This piece was never meant to be about a move to England or elsewhere, it’s about what the financial “realities” of being in the SPL mean for our standing in the modern game
where do you want us to stand in the modern game?
the reality is sky is writing cheques 95% of the epl cannot cash, if they pull out, the arse would fall out of english football – top to bottom
you get more for being relegated from the epl than we will make from our champions league run and potential spl league win combined
money has eff all to do with how big a club you are, and if you think it has, discuss qpr and the potential money behind them and how “big” they ARE
I don’t care about QPR. I want the modern game to change, it’s what’s broken.
I’m both perturbed and disturbed by this article… You can’t really pick a hole in it,but it’s still painful to read… Ki is the perfect example. Who leaves Glasgow Celtic to ply their trade at Swansea??? EPL money aside… It’s like leaving sevco to join a huge club in division 2
Ah thank you Sean, someone who has both read and understood my article before commenting. Ki is a perfect example, right or wrong he (and his advisors) saw moving from Celtic to Swansea as career progression.
In my opinion this trend will only continue and probably increase.
The EPL is financially doped to the eyeballs and whilst that remains the case it distorts everything else.
I think this is a question that could be asked of not only our club, but also the likes of Ajax, Anderlecht and Benfica – traditionally large clubs who compete in relatively smaller leagues and have been financially overpowered by La Liga and the English Premier League.
For me, there are various factors which contribute to a club being considered ‘big’. Obviously there’s the fanbase (at matches and their global appeal), but there’s also history, achievements and the way the club conducts itself, on and off the pitch.
Geography on the other hand, shouldn’t be used to determine the size of any club. Sky invested in English football because of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, but the knock-on effect is that traditionally smaller clubs in England have far greater resources than Celtic. That doesn’t make these clubs bigger, it just means that they happen to play in a domestic league which has a wider appeal for TV viewers than the SPL or the Eredivisie.
A Big Club? Yes! a Big Hearted Club? definately. I think Celtic’s charitable contributions year in year out makes us the “biggest” club in the world. A few years ago ‘bush fires’ destroyed lives and property in Victoria, Australia. The Glasgow Celtic Football Club – visiting Australia that same year – donated $ 10,000plus to help in that disaster relief recovery campaign. Gestures like that tell me that this is a “BIG” club.
Football, Fans, Stadia, History, Famous Players, European Champions??? of course Celtic is a big club. No doubt about it.
A fair summation and yes we need to get out of the Scottish game to reach our potential.
Cheers mate, aye something needs to change anyway. Not sure it ever will though.
Your inflammatory article has worked. I’m assuming by your juvenile responses you must be about 17 and an avid player of football manager games.
Again don’t confuse the issues, size of club and wealth of club.
Example; Samuel Etoo leaves enter to join Anzhi. By your logic then, Anzhi must be a bigger club than Inter? Yes? That’s what your saying?
Etoo could have went to any club in the world but chose to go to Anzhi so they must be the ‘biggest’ club in the world.
Also see Drogba, Anelka & countless others, they must all be playing for ‘big’ clubs. Haha!
Stupid article, clearly confusing wealth with stature. Doh!
** Inter (autocorrect)
My responses are only juvenile if the comments are juvenile in the first place. The players you mention were all at the end of their career and looking for one last pay day, they did not leave to further their careers. The difference is when players see us as a stepping stone to mid level EPL. And no I’m not confusing wealth with stature but to deny that there is a link is ridiculous, whether we like it or not.
Stupid article? Stupid comment.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Case and point.
Why are PSG filled with players beyond their pedigree? Caus they are a ‘big’ club? Your article is nonsense, don’t delude yourself by thinking otherwise, keep watching super Sunday, playing FIFA & champ manager & tuning into the Sky Sports app on your phone
Etoo moved to Anzhi aged 29, one last payday? I think not.
Ibrahimovic 30 at time of transfer.
PSG are a very attractive club for many reasons, wealth of course but location and the fact they’re the only club in the city means they have a huge support.
E’too has made it very clear he intends on making as much money in his career as possible as he intends on entering politics when he retires, it may be a bit early for one last payday but that’s exactly what it is.
Zlatan was influenced by money obviously but also for the challenge, he loves being the biggest fish in the pond and that’s exactly what he’ll be in Ligue 1.
Also whether or not I play FIFA (I do sometimes) or Football Manager (I don’t) or watch Super Sunday (occasionally) has nothing to do with anything and most certainly does not make my opinion worthless or nonsense.
Actually now I think about it, aye PSG are a big club. And now they’ve got a lorryload of cash they’re only going to get bigger and more successful, that’s how football works these days.
Of course Celtic are a big club. I can see what you’re saying, in terms of being a selling club, but isn’t every club these days? every player has his price ‘n’ aw that.
In Scotland we will always be massive. And of course if we played in England we would have increased exposure and more money and obviously the standard of our players would get better. would that make us a bigger club? In my opinion, no ,it wouldn’t. As has been pointed out already, money doesn’t make you a big club.
How many EPL clubs’ history even comes close to ours? Their bank balance is a different story..
A thought provoking and decent article.
well said richard
again THE only reason players move to mid table epl teams or any team for that matter is MONEY
eto to anzhi, surely using 2 of the biggest clubs in the world as stepping stones to THE biggest ever
and before you start greetin “ally”, its the same damn thing ki done, MOVED ON FOR MONEY
No tears here mate, but Ki moved to further his career AND for a bigger wage, the reality is some players see moving from us to Swansea etc as a step up.
I think Ally’s made some fair points. The criteria of what makes a big club is obviously subjective. What do we base that on? The current squad, the facilities and resources, the history? For me, it’s a combination of everything. It’s not just a case of how successful they have been in recent years; Liverpool and Arsenal, for example, see the Capital One Cup as a worthwhile trophy these days. If you look at their resources, their history and their fan base, you’d expect them to be challenging for a lot more. Yet, you still can’t say they’re not big clubs. You only need to look at Arsenal’s recent departures to see they’re not considered to be title contenders, though.
The difference with Celtic is that they’re still title contenders, but in a league considered to possess less quality than other European leagues. They also lack the finances of other big European clubs, as mentioned by a few others on here. I think there’s a domestic and European argument here, too. Celtic can afford to be a selling club domestically, because they’ll always find that next young player to fill the gaps. It would seem they don’t need to keep hold of their best players to win domestic trophies. In Europe, however, it’s a different story. They’ll always be those special European nights, like the Barcelona games, but they’ll never be a feared side. Take Porto for example: they’re a very good side who regularly compete for domestic and European titles. However, they are undoubtedly the ultimate ‘selling club’. In the past 10 years alone, they’ve made approx £250m profit on player transfers. The major difference for me is the quality of their domestic league compared to Celtic’s. They obviously have a great scouting network, too.
I don’t think it’s a simple as saying he moved from ‘x’ to ‘y’, therefore ‘y’ is a bigger club. Someone mentioned Ki moving to Swansea. Yes, he’s most probably on a better contract, but he’s also playing against quality sides week-in, week-out. He may also be thinking about his long-term future. If you’re playing in the BPL every week, you’re always in the shop window.
The Eto’o/Drogba examples aren’t really fair. Both players have had successful careers and are obviously taking one last pay-day before retirement. You do have the likes of Witsel and Hulk who are seemingly taking this option early-on in their careers, but you’d hope most players would want to play for top, European sides,
Ally, I too believe in the clear and present danger of falling behind. However, although a genuine threat leaving little room for complacency, it is not a new threat! Great football teams are not eternal, and need constant replenishment to consistantly compete with the best. Celtic realise this, and as the “gene pool” in Scotland is not exactly a wealth of talent, look further afield in affordable markets. This makes sense on every level. The EPL is a non starter for me, and anyway, I have yet to speak to anyone who dreams of winning it! Only the wealth it can provide! Be under no illusions, difficult times lie ahead for that league! A Euro league is merely talk, and a decade(or two) from fruition. The SPL is our only viable option. However, it is run by inept fools, and governed by a covenous body of hidden agendas. Changes are vital and these self serving Muppets need ousted. Tinkering with leagues, and shuffling clubs through sub leagues, splits etc will do FA. Until we have 4/5 clubs genuinely contending, (not shuffling!) to league wins, our league will be poor! Youth policies are crucial, and as a wee side note, a city which cannot put 100K bums on seats every fortnight, is a one team town. Unpalatable I know, but mergers should be considered. With Celtic in a tightly fought well attended league, all will be well. Now is the time to plan progressively, but not hurriedly! (Certainly not by the mugs at present). Euro financial fair play rules will slightly stifle the march into the distance of the wealthy teams, but these rules will soon be circum-navigated. Our competitors can hang onto our coat-tails, but they must push! They must not be allowed to be a ball and chain.
You do make some really well thought out and interesting points mate. For me the EPL is a broken model and not one we should copy. If we can change Scottish football (using some of the methods you point to) then that is our future and it can be a rosy one.
All excellent stuff buster. Though I would say the Scottish football gene pool isn’t quite as shallow as all that. I wouldn’t want to sell any of the scots players at Celtic right now.
Neither would I Pyewacket, I disagree though. Although not totally bereft of talent, it is shallow. A quick glance through the surnames of the SPL team sheets will confirm this. The current arguement amongst SPL/SFL/SFA, on how to divvy up t.v, sponsorship revenue is self serving and a mockery to young Scottish hopefuls. Far better to allow SPL clubs to retain the funds they generate, therefore increasing their strength. In return, each SPL club should “Adopt”, a team from each lower league. This gives them 1st dibbs of rising talent. The lower clubs(weans,) benefit through tuition, technical advice, and financial backing from the daddy club, but retain their current identity. Winning the 1st division is the top for them. In present reality for most, a dream. For the lucky(in most cases), a hokey cokey affair. The real prize is the chance of promotion to the daddy team. This “conveyer belt”, from 3rd to 1st to possible SPL could provide maybe 10/15 pool players, 4/5 regulars, who knows? The point is, each SPL club has a vested interest in its weans, as does the fans, Let the weans use facilities, teach them what is expected if they make the grade, inspire them! Like the old reserve system, bring players back to fitness in the weans team. It’s all inclusive, and will provide god knows how many “pool players” and daddy team regulars. The passion is evident in the fans at every derby in Scotland, but the tribes are quite frankly..Too wee! Working on Saturday so can’t get to Parkhead? Then go see the weans Sunday, Are the weans playing away, in the back of beyond? Go see how last season’s weans are performing in the daddy team. A real conveyor belt promoting talent through the ranks with fast tracking and natural wastage where appropriate. If the daddy clubs implement this system and cherish it, they will reap rewards. They will get from the weans, what they put into them. Pie in the sky maybe! But what we do at the moment doesn’t work.
Get this guy (barcabuster) into an office at Hampden and let him shake things up a bit, some excellent (if controversial) points.
It’s time for change in Scottish football.
Ha ha. I would love the job Ally, but there would be far too many forced to leave…without having the window opened for them first…..First one through the window.. Could be a game show in this!
My dear Ally
Kid……..
Ye done Good!
Controversy and Sex……
Sell!
A Blog which is riddled wi.
The usual..”We Luv the Celts”..and.. “Keep the Faith”.. Stuff..
Is Cute.
But.
Like the Goil.. said tae the Bishop..
“Is That.. Awe there is?”
Kid..
Ye done good..
Keep it going..
jac
Cheers my man. Aye there’s plenty of blogs out there claiming everything’s pure rosy, just thought I’d try and put a slightly different opinion across, seems there’s a few ‘tims’ out there who can’t handle a bit of debate.
I’ve done the controversy, maybe for the next one I’ll try and get some shagging in to cover the sex.
Keep an eye out for that one!
Forgive me if I missed the point of this blog but Celtic are no longer a “Big Club” because we now are a selling club and when we sell it isn’t to Man Utd, Barca, Real Madrid etc? At the moment England is where the money is at, plain and simple, our league is the closest geographically to them and we are the biggest club in Scotland. Players and more importantly their agents know that if you sign for Celtic along with the obvious perks like fans, stadium, trophys & almost guarenteed exposure to European football you will also attract interest from England if you do well.
Whether like Ki they go to Swansea or Mcgeady they go to Spartak Moscow (are they a bigger club than Celtic) isn’t up to the club. They will take the best offer on the table. I think the reason the larger EPL clubs wouldn’t take a £6M chance on a Ki or Hooper etc is why should they? Let a smaller EPL team take the hit, if the player proves his worse then they will swoop in.
Can see where you are coming from with the blog but in my opinion Celtic are very much still a massive club, money, where you buy and sell players and to whom you sell to is not a reflection of the size of club. Meerly a factor of the circumstances of the clubs location and access to the TV cash cow.
Waheyy that’s whit this chat needs more sex. This is all because of busters chat about mommies and daddies and their consequences. In a perfect utopia your ideas sound plausible buster. But. In the Scottish climate even with the temporary demise of the carriers is still a bigoted sectarian nightmare. And I’m afraid any smaller clubs adhering themselseves to a bigger parent club may well find they’ve lost half their support if they don’t pick the right one etc. But I will say buster you appear to have far better ideas than any coming from ” the establishment”. So keep plugging away. HAIL HAIL
I did consider that Pyewacket, and fear you may be right regarding losing half a support, however I reasoned that Celtic/Sevco would merely be. 2nd team for most of these fans and hopefully not.so poisonous. It is a completely different demigraph Aye, there would be wind-ups amongst some, but no more than that. Anything that can draw the entire Scottish fanbase in for the genuine good of the game will be incredible. As that famous Scotsman, Mel Gibson once said, “Unite the clans”.