As Peter Lawwell’s reign at Celtic enters its final stages all sorts of analysis is being done on his impact on the club.
The recent domestic domination certainly puts him into the credit ledger but as the current season illustrates how much is down to the current CEO is up for debate with the arrival and impact of Brendan Rodgers in 2016 wearing off.
Over his 17 years in charge Lawwell has enjoyed many domestic successes but over the last decade clubs such as Motherwell and Kilmarnock with turnover of around £6m have finished third in the SPFL.
In 2012/13 and 2013/14 Motherwell finished second to Celtic. In the year to June 2020 Motherwell reported a turnover of £4.95m.
Domestic success can largely depend on the strength of opponents, for a fairer view of Celtic’s progress and development performances in Europe are the true benchmark.
During the Lawwell Years the club has reached the last 16 of the Champions League three times, when you are then drawn against AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus progress is unlikely.
Season 2012/13 saw Celtic back in the group stage for the first time in four years, Neil Lennon’s side overcame HJK Helsinki and Helsingborg to find themselves drawn alongside Barcelona, Spartak Moscow and Benfica.
Taking 10 points from that group was a fantastic achievement, full points from the Russians included a first ever away win in the competition while the Barcelona victory brought the club worldwide attention.
It also led to the departures of Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper giving the club the opportunity to reinvest in players, kick on and build on Champions League access with little credible domestic opposition.
That summer Teemu Pukki, Derk Boerrigter, Amido Balde and Virgil van Dijk were signed. Neil Lennon walked away after winning the title but three points and bottom place in the Champions League group set the tone. A strike rate of one in four good signings became the norm.
Below is a list of signing made under Lawwell’s watch since Celtic lost out to Juventus for a place in the last eight of the Champions League.
It has been a tragic opportunity lost. Players brought in to a fanfare that barely mustered 10 starts in the SPL/SPFL, most of them released, leaving for undisclosed fees or having their contracts mutually terminated.
While the signings have bombed they have taken up squad places at Celtic, reducing the prospects of players coming through from the Academy with Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney the two exceptions.
CELTIC SIGNINGS SINCE 2013 EXCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE STARTED AN SPLF MATCH THIS SEASON.
Boli Bolingoli: £2.5m from Rapid Vienna, 14 SPFL starts, currently on loan to Basaksehir of Turkey. Under contract until June 2023
Vakoun Bayo: £2m from Dunajska Streda, 1 SPFL start, currently on loan at Toulouse. Under contract until June 2022
Marian Shved: £2m from Karpaty Lviv, still to start an SPFL match, currently on loan at Mechelen, under contract until June 2023.
Jack Hendry: signed for £1.5m from Dundee, started 10 SPFL matches, currently on loan at Oostende. Under contract until June 2022.
Marvin Compper: Joined from RB Leipzig for £1m. Never started a single SPFL match before having his two and a half year contract terminated with a year remaining.
Nadir Ciftci: £1.5m signing from Dundee United, started five SPFL matches, released after four years and four loan deals.
Scott Allan: Signed for £300,000 from Hibs, started two SPFL matches, released after four years and rejoined Hibs.
Eboue Kouassi: Signed for £2.5m from Krasnodar, started seven SPFL matches then sold for £1m to Genk last summer.
Cristian Gamboa: A £1m signing from West Brom, he started 16 SPFL matches before being released in June 2019.
Erik Sviatchenko: Signed from Midtjylland for £2m, after 37 SPFL matches he returned to the Danish side for an undisclosed fee.
Jozo Simunovic: Reports of his fee from Dinamo Zagreb vary from £2-5m, over five seasons he played 70 SPFL matches before being released. Currently a free agent.
Saidy Janko: Signed for £1m from Manchester United, after seven SPFL matches he left for St Etienne for an undisclosed fee.
Amido Balde: Signed for £1.8m from Vitoria Guimares, after starting three SPFL matches and various loans his contract was mutually terminated
Teemu Pukki: Signed for £3.5m from Schalke 04, he started 14 SPFL matches before joining Brondby for an undisclosed fee.
Derk Boerrigter: Signed from Ajax for £2m, he started five SPFL matches before retiring at the end of his contract.
