Celtic fans were almost unanimously underwhelmed by the announcement that Michael Nicholson was the club’s ‘new’ CEO.
The news wasn’t unexpected, Nicholson has been in the job on an acting basis since September 10 with no sign of the club involved in any meaningful recruitment process.
Nicholson has risen through the ranks at Celtic since joining the club in 2013 in a legal role and was closely associated with Peter Lawwell in his later years as CEO.
After 17 years under Lawwell Celtic’s prominence in Europe has gradually been eroded with the club competing in the group stage of the Champions League just twice in the last eight years despite having a seeded route.
At the start of this year Dom McKay was announced as Lawwell’s successor but after just 72 days in the job he left for personal reasons and quickly returned to a job in rugby.
Nicholson was overlooked during the process that identified McKay but now he has the backing of chairman Ian Bankier who has just celebrated a decade in that role.
Since becoming acting CEO in September Nicholson hasn’t been involved in any media interviews, not even with in-house club media. He did speak at the AGM with stability very much the theme from the board of directors led by Bankier.
Celtic Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Nicholson as Chief Executive with immediate effect.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 23, 2021
A ridiculous decision. Absolutely ridiculous. An internal appointment with zero experience and no attempt made at all to find a qualified candidate. He’s been acting in an interim capacity for months and spent them in hiding. A dire appointment. This board is not fit for purpose.
— TheCelticBlog (@CelticBlog2018) December 23, 2021
— Timposter (@Tim_Poster) December 23, 2021
A yes man what 100% suits the board. Thanks for the Christmas present Celtic letting us fans no we have appointed someone who will take us backwards rather than forward. January transfer window is now very concerning ?
— celtic jaime (official account) (@jaimelawson08) December 23, 2021
Celtic Football Club are delighted to announce that next years home kit will be green and white hoops.
— C (@CaIMcI) December 23, 2021
Ooooh! Thinking outside the box I love it. A cosy wee club of entitled dinosaurs. Signed: a customer.
— Michael (@Michael45788700) December 23, 2021
Mad how the best possible candidate was always at the club, even though we appointed someone else 6 months ago
???
— Christmas Pun Connor ??????? ? (@KitConnorsseur) December 23, 2021
‘Fresh ideas’
Same old same old for a board who simply refuse to modernise the club.
Wee see you ?
— Danny Myles (@danielmyles88) December 23, 2021
the man who sat in silence over bernard higgins..
— Scott Lee (@ScottLee8867) December 23, 2021
Must have been a strenuous and exhaustive interview process that
— Tetley (@Tetley1988) December 23, 2021
No surprise, no ambition, no leadership, we’re in trouble
— Martin W (@mwillmott68) December 23, 2021
Why not just appoint Lawwell again, save Nicholson forwarding on his decisions
— Robbie (@rw47cfc) December 23, 2021
Glad we punted forward thinking Dom in order to promote a dinosaur
— Leil Nennon (@ChampersChuck) December 23, 2021
if nicholson fails to back boss in january fans will never forgive the board!!!
Just a constant whinge fest. If yer no happy dont buy season tickets or merchandise…..Oh I forgot it’s all false promises.
I’ll judge the guy a couple of years down the line. Sometimes when people get the top job they surprise you in a positive way.
When are the Celtic fans and bloggers going to come to terms with the fact we can only exert pressure on the board of a PLC not dictate to it.
It looks like the pressure has succeeded in the Bernard Higgins case.
Let’s hope he backs Ange in January and as long as he gets the football dept right the rest will fall into place.
Editor: Lets hope that all those on the board, on their knees to the SFA for fear that the events of 2011/12 ever leak out, are cleared from the club and we can try and progress. Managed decline since August 2018 McGinn/Mulumbu Manager/CEO.
Don’t know much about him so let’s see what he does come Jan transfers will he fully back ange on the players required.How is it we have no forwards to call on ajeti injured a dud anyway to lazy something just does not fit with the Greek lad played a few games now injured for months likely will go out in loan if we buy Jan young forwards not ready yet and johnston not good enough on his present showings all down to wee gojo to score our goals we make plenty of chances but can’t convert into goals very worrying.