Shares digital

Investing in football clubs can be a hazardous experience yet Tom Allison, a non-executive director of Scottish Premier League team Celtic (CCP:AIM), has ploughed just over £1 million into the shares, almost doubling his stake in the company. Celtic boasts former Home Secretary John Reid as chairman and Ian Livingston of BT (BT.A) as a non-executive.

Although Celtic won the Premier League last year, they are just behind their Old Firm rivals, Rangers, this season. However, these two clubs have dominated Scottish football for many decades. Both have a loyal fan base, which historically reflected the religious divide in Glasgow. Were a sporting buccaneer to decide that he wished to acquire a Scottish club then Celtic would have obvious attractions.

The shares have been a spectacular investment over the past year and a half, reflecting the group’s success in the 2006/7 season, rising roughly 200% since June 2006.

Shares says: An interesting takeover investment, although there is little likelihood of a dividend.

HOLD