What £100m Celtic takeover by Snoop Dogg may look like - Rangers flop and every other ace signed in simulation
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There was some surprise over the weekend, when legendary rapper Snoop Dogg revealed he would be open to investing in Scottish Premiership champions Celtic - and that got us thinking.
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Hide AdHow would things play out if the Doggfather of rap was to be handed the reins at Celtic Park? So we fired up Football Manager 2024, updated the Celtic squad to its current form and let the world’s most popular managerial simulation to predict what the early days of Snoop’s ownership would look like.
To set the scene, we have simulated the entire 2024/25 season and Celtic have claimed yet another Premiership title after ending the campaign sat 17 points ahead of Rangers and a further four points ahead of third placed Aberdeen.
The double was completed with a 4-2 win against Philippe Clement’s side in the Scottish Cup Final but Aberdeen ended thoughts of a treble after inflicting a 2-1 defeat on Celtic in the semi-final of the League Cup.
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Hide AdThe Champions League campaign came to an end with a two-legged play-off round defeat against Serie A giants Inter Milan with the Italians progressing into the knockout rounds with a 4-0 win at the San Siro after the two sides had battled to a goalless draw in Glasgow. So what now? Just what happens after Snoop Dogg finalises his investment at Celtic and is immediately installed as new chairman of the reigning Premiership champions? Over to you, Football Manager 2024...
A major change as the transfer window opens
There is a shock development within a week of Snoop’s arrival as Celtic part company with Rodgers and the final year of his current deal is paid up. Who knew a man renowned for his mellow demeanour was capable of such savagery? The likes of Eddie Howe, Jesse Marsch and Scott Brown are immediately linked with the vacancy - but it is former Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea manager Graham Potter that is chosen as successor to Rodgers.
Who was allowed to leave Celtic?
There is one big call made in the goalkeeping department as Kasper Schmeichel’s contract is extended by a further year. However, Greg Taylor departs at the end of his deal and Alex Valle returns to Barcelona after spending the season on loan at Celtic Park.
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Hide AdFour players that spent the previous season out on loan were also depart as Gustaf Lagerbielke, Alexandro Bernabei, Marco Tilio and Hyeok-kyu Kwon all leave the club on a permanent basis. Lagerbielke is snapped up by PSV, Bernabei joins loan club Internacional, Tilio moves to France with Saint Etienne and Kwon joins Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq as the quartet rake in an additional £9m into the transfer kitty for Potter.
However, there are two big-money departures, as Kyogo Furuhashi joins English Premier League club Aston Villa in a £22m deal and Reo Hatate is allowed to join Saudi side Al-Nassr in an £18m move. That leaves Potter with an eye-watering transfer budget of £131m as he prepared for his first season in charge of Celtic.
Who did Potter bring in during the summer transfer window?
Celtic’s current record transfer is believed to be the £11m deal that saw Arne Engels join the club in August - but that was easily smashed to smithereens within days of Potter’s arrival.
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Hide AdThe new Hoops boss breaks the transfer record on three occasions to strengthen the spine of the squad he inherited from Rodgers. Firstly, Potter returns to a former club to secure Brighton captain Lewis Dunk in a £21m deal, before raiding another of his former employers to land Chelsea striker Armando Broja after agreeing a £25m deal with the Blues. However, that record lasted barely 48 hours after Potter upped the stakes once again to sign Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott in a £32m agreement. No Diggity...
They were far from the only new additions to the Celtic ranks as the Hoops sign Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguillon and Nottingham Forest centre-back Willy Boly on free transfers after they all leave their former clubs when their contracts expire. A final deal sees Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo become one of few players to have represented Rangers and Celtic, after he agrees to spend the season on loan with the Hoops.
And there we have it. Will Snoop Dogg actually blow his entire fortune on taking over Celtic? It seems a tad unlikely. But is it fun to daydream about? Fo’ shizzle...
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