Slapstick duo Lawwell and Nicholson laughing at the concerns of Celtic fans
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Rangers vs Celtic - Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - January 2, 2023 Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson, former Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell, Rangers chairman Douglas Park and Rangers honorary Life President John Greig pay their respects during a service on the anniversary of the 1971 Ibrox disaster in which 66 people died, outside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell were in slapstick mode at today’s Celtic AGM as they addressed serious matters raised by shareholders.
Previously Lawwell was CEO at these meetings, after taking a break over the last two years he was back today as Chairman harping on about the world class aspirations that the club has.
That is the club that has won one Champions League group stage match in 10 years and not won a UEFA knock out tie since season 2003/04, the season that Lawwell came in as CEO.
Groomed by his master Nicholson is very much Lawwell Lite, fully compliant to the SFA and well aware that rocking the boat could result in unwelcome details from 2012 coming to light.
Celtic are currently up against a domestic rival that has gone 67 matches without having a penalty awarded against them in the SPFL. Last season Celtic were awarded seven penalties and conceded the same amount. Their city business partners were awarded 10 with none conceded.
The performance of John Beaton backed up by Willie Collum at Ibrox on January 2 summed up the matter as Fashion Sakala dived for a penalty while Conor Goldson used both hands to stop a shot from Carl Starfelt.
Cause for concern for the CEO and club Chairman? Not a chance, bit of banter for them like they have in the Directors Room with their mates Douglas Park, John Bennet, Stewart Robertson and James Bisgrove.
First up was Nicholson.
One shareholder detailed the recent win over St Mirren when Kyogo Furuhasi was manhandled then dumped on the ground. The incident was missed by the referee, his assistant and the VAR.
The shareholder asked what should happen? ‘Penalty to Rangers’ laughed the CEO of a club with turnover of £119m, most of the elderly shareholders found it hilarious.
Smooth Mick then trotted out the well worn line about working quietly with the SFA to improve refereeing and VAR issues. The same as last year and next year.
Later on another shareholder brought up John Beaton, his notorious performance at Ibrox in December 2018 when Alfredo Morelos was given licence to attack and assault Celtic player without even being booked, or retrospective action from the SFA.
Keen not to be outdone by his Mini Me, Lawwell started talking about the last time Rangers had a penalty awarded against them John Greig was the culprit. Greig retired from playing in 1978.
On Saturday Steven McLean, brother of a former Rangers player will referee the match between Celtic and Motherwell with laughing and nodding David Dickinson on VAR, no doubt with his family rooting for an away win.