Scottish Premiership side Celtic "could enter the A-League," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The club is reportedly "interested in following the lead" of Man City and buying an ownership stake in an A-League club, with Central Coast Mariners emerging as one of its "preferred purchases." Celtic is "eager to explore business and investment opportunities in Australian football" and a relationship with the Mariners that began almost five years ago with the purchase of midfielder Tom Rogic "could lead to a potential bid for the club." Officials from Celtic were in Australia a fortnight ago and spent time on the Central Coast, visiting the Mariners' new Centre of Excellence training center and attending the club's 2-0 win over Sydney FC on Nov. 10. They "did not discuss a potential takeover during their last visit" but sources suggest Celtic has signaled its interest to other parties about buying into the A-League once a new operating model for the competition is finalized. Mariners Chair Mike Charlesworth said, "I'm not surprised about their interest based on a new A-League operating model because I think it's got a lot of potential. Frankly, I haven't personally spoken to anyone at Celtic, that's been handled by [CEO] Shaun [Mielekamp] and [CFO] Kathy [Duncan]." Celtic has a "genuine interest to tap into the player development in Australia" to spread its network and the presence of its brand, but the Mariners "are not the only club" Celtic is "looking at." It is understood the Glasgow club is "also circling the Brisbane Roar," whose future under the Indonesian Bakrie Group is "tenuous due to ongoing financial difficulties and payment issues" (SMH, 11/28).
