GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Former Celtic managing director Fergus McCann watches on during a cinch Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on September 03, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
There was an unexpected passenger on board a city centre bound train following Celtic’s 1-0 flag day triumph over St Mirren.
It’s not known if he got on at Dalmarnock or Bell Grove but there was no mistaking Fergus McCann as he enjoyed a rare visit back to Glasgow.
Before many of the 60,000 fans that watched yesterday’s match were born the Scots-Canadian businessman fought a long battle to save Celtic from the disastrous policies of the White and Kelly families while Jack McGinn filled in as Chairman.
During the early nineties McCann tried to modernise the club but it took a Scottish Cup defeat at Motherwell in February 1994 to bring things to a head, a month later McCann arrived to save the club from bankruptcy, oust the old board and embark on a bright new future.
— Bun Beag Brian (@BunbegB) August 4, 2025
Central to his plan was to have a 60,000 seater stadium, 10,000 more bums on seats than Ibrox with Dave Murray responding by turning to various tax schemes that were judged to be disguised remuneration with the old club and players owing millions to Her Majesty.
The 60,000 seater stadium was opened in August 1998, McCann left the following year with little around the stadium changing over the last 26 years.
The man that saved Celtic was lampooned by the media, the Daily Record produced a front page comparing him with Saddam Hussein but he treated them with contempt as he finished his mission.
His thoughts on Celtic 2025 would certainly be worthwhile but that would only appear in club media.
Many fans would love to see a visionary come in now to shake the club up with a blast of moderate ambition to sweep away the ultra-conservative approach favoured by accountants and lawyers.
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Fergus McCann, “The man that saved Celtic” is a perfect description. A man humble enough to travel on the train with fellow Celtic supporters, taxi for Lawwell and Nicholson!
What we wouldn’t do for a Fergus nowadays. He had a laser focus on what was in the best interests of his club and didn’t worship at the altar of Sir Minty Moonbeams or pander to his servile toadies in the media. He did receive some criticism and undeserved booing for not “investing” in the squad back in the summer of ‘98 when Sir Minty embarked on the far-sighted and bold strategy which would deliver a few more league titles and end in acrimony, bankruptcy, liquidation and the construction of a warped fantasy to rival the non-death of Bobby Ewing in ‘Dallas’ where none of it actually happened. I think it’s fair to say that history proved his judgment on that to be pretty much spot-on.
A man with a plan.
A man of his word.
A man of stature.
A man without ego.
A man of principle.
Everything that is missing from the men who run Celtic now.
They couldn’t lace his boots.
He must wonder why he even bothered.
Its probably why the stand hasn’t been named in his honour already, big Pete’s ego couldn’t handle it not being him.
It’s high time Fergus McCann is given a proper bona fide , gratitude , recognition and acknowledgement status from Celtic FC and especially the board for his outstanding contributions and honest toil provided by the great man over the decades ? Something like a statue , or a bronze plaque or even naming of a part of the stadium …something which will be perpetual for everyone to see and know about throughout future generations to come . For me the man is an angel with huge wings . At the very least a tribute night in a Glasgow hotel or similar in recognition of his incredible efforts and readiness to save Celtic in the hour of need . It’s not too late to do so !
Back in the day, as a young teenager, I tended to believe what I read in the SMSM,
and [in my ignorance] I did have a negative view of Fergus at that time.
But, as a club we won a watch when he stepped up and took control.
He did make a healthy return on his investment – but he did earn that.
The fact that the stadium has not significantly been improved since,
is a further indicator that our Board continues to miss the big picture.
And of course, the stadium Fergus built should have his name somewhere?
Name the north stand after him FFS it’s not rocket science.
Statue as well possibly Chesterbhoy…
Although sometimes they only do that when one kicks the bucket…
But hopefully he’s got plenty years left in him yet though…
And gets his telegram from…
The President of an Independent Scotland !!!