Celtic are due to step up their preparations for the season with this virtual season ticket plan; everyone will be aware of the details.
I think we’ve missed the boat slightly in not opening these up for general sale, but that’s less important in the meantime than what these things are going to be like, and when we unveiled our partnership with a digital sports firm the other day I have to admit I was excited.
As usual, we’re approaching this with real professionalism and the manner in which we’ve done it is going to prove that the concept works.
As I said in a couple of articles last week, this will eventually be the thing that changes the way we watch football forever.
To have partnered up with real industry pros, and to be seeking top class panellists like the BT team of Sutton and Hartson and perhaps Michael Stewart himself, shows how seriously we want to take this opportunity. Celtic clearly does see the potential here.
We have a grand opportunity here to conduct a major experiment with this.
Sky and the other TV broadcasters will be viewing what happens warily, because although they’ve had to go along with this and give it their rubber stamp there’s a chance that it will prove so successful that fans of all clubs will clamour for its consideration when the current TV deal ends.
The numbers would have to be right. The viewing figures would have to be good.
I’ve been told that the cap on the numbers was forced on the clubs; I understand exactly why. But in the end, those who do get to watch these matches will spread the word far and wide if this turns out to be a good concept, and of course the bloggers will do their part as well.
Celtic’s approach to this though is already very impressive. We could have continued with the CelticTV model which, with all due respect, is passable at best. But we’ve gone out and talked to real pros and that’s exciting.
Let’s be honest, with no fans allowed in the grounds at the moment this is as good as it gets.
But the club could have gone through the motions and they haven’t.
They do want the fan experience to be as good as it can … and they want to road-test the concept for all its worth.
As Scottish football goes through the current crisis it is important to keep up with developments and the key issues. We are determined to do so, and to keep you informed as well. Please subscribe to the blog.