GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 03: Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson, chief financial officer Chris McKay and interim chairman Brian Wilson during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on January 03, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic fans will soon discover if Brian Wilson is a genuine club Chairman or just another opportunist politician.
It is 20 years since the former Labour MP left Westminster, joining the Celtic Board at almost the same time as a Non Executive Director.
THE MOMENT FOR WILSON
Since then he has barely been heard in the world of football. Living in the shadow of Peter Lawwell the former MP nodded everything through as Celtic made a succession or questionable decisions.
Week after week Wilson sat in the Directors Box, just as he had loyally claimed his expenses as an MP. Contributing little while extracting a lot.
As interim Chairman, on Monday night Wilson had the task of leading the club statement about the return of Martin O’Neill as manager.
In among all the predictable comments one line stood out:
The immediate priority is to get back to winning ways and while today’s events do not address every issue, I would appeal for unity within the stadium to create the best possible environment for the manager and team to launch the fight-back.
As a Non Executive Director Wilson will know that around 300 Green Brigade Season Tickets are currently suspended. They were last used on October 29.
Wilson will also know the circumstances of that decision. The scant evidence and the collective punishment applied by the club to customers.
On Monday night the Steering Group of the Celtic Fans Collective met up.
What an opportunity Brian Wilson has to be the most unifying board member in decades.
He now has it in his hands to play a key part in ending all of this and move the Club forward.
Come to the table, meet the Collective and establish the legacy your predecessors could not. https://t.co/r2pXD9hyLC
— Eamonn Maguire (@eamonnthewakes) January 6, 2026
Responding, the Collective asked:
We are calling on Brian Wilson and representatives of Celtic Football Club to meet with the Celtic Fans Collective in the spirit of reconciliation and a genuine desire to achieve unity, on the same themes presented in the initial open letter.
COLLECTIVE STRIDES
Since the Collective was formed in September there has been many changes at Celtic.
The horrendous Chairman has emigrated after a shambolic attempt at hosting an AGM.
The disastrous Football Doctor has left, unable to further damage the playing squad.
Politicians tend to know when a deal can be achieved.
If the Green Brigade are in their standing area on Saturday without excessive activity from Police Scotland then Wilson is a worthy Chairman.
If Section 111 remains silence then the empty promise in the Celtic statement confirms that Wilson is a worthy successor to Lawwell.
The former MP has one huge opportunity staring him in the face. It was his choice of words in the O’Neill statement, fans are looking out for the follow up actions.
Never forget, this board
-Briefed the sun on Rodgers
-Banned the GB
-forced Rodgers out the door (again)
-Slaughtered the fans at an AGM
-Slaughtered the fans when lawell left.
-hired a grifter as HOF!
– hired a clown as manager
– failed summer window! An on and on!!— DANNYBHOY88 (@Danielh15215783) January 6, 2026
Should Michael Nicholson be sacked as Celtic CEO?
YES- The clear out of dross must continue
NO- Mikey is a leader and a right good Celt
Rookie mistake from Wilson? 🙂
He HAS to meet the Collective now: no wiggle room.
[Already, I bet he much prefers being just another, silent NED?]
He’s offered an olive branch of sorts…
Which is better than what Lucan has ever done…
Still don’t like him given his pro Brit (Labour) views !
An ideal club Chairman should be a talented youngish energetic individual, enthusiastic with fresh innovative ideas, having intense motivational skills and a strong work ethic. Able to adapt to new technologies and systems. Have a positive attitude towards fan engagement, build trust and accept accountability. The crucial ability to act with a sense of urgency, combining hunger with passion.
Nicholson claimed to have learnt from his past mistakes, he appointed the declining Brian Wilson.
An elderly uninspiring executive who is lethargic, apathetic with no future. Lacking initiative, drive or anything else useful to the club.
The seated stone statue of the Pharaoh Ramses is as much use in the boardroom as haughty Wilson will be. He’ll think the Green Brigade are there to put out fires.