GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Celtic Chief executive Officer Michael Nicholson (L) and Chief Financial Officer Chistopher McKay during a UEFA Europa League Play-Off First Leg match between Celtic and VFB Stuttgart at Celtic Park, on February 19, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Michael Nicholson refused to put his name to the bland statement announcing the departure of Tom Allison from Celtic.
The club CEO goes out of his way to avoid attention, publicity and responsibility but is never shy about banking £17,000 a week for hiding in his office.
Brian Wilson and Dermot Desmond commented in the 345 word statement issued by the club but the CEO was unable to put offer up some patronising words for a non-executive director of 23 years standing.
Allison did of course contribute nothing to Celtic, something that the current CEO has in common with the retiring 78 year old.
Allison joined Celtic in the same year as Peter Lawwell became CEO. Both men worked together at Clydeport, Allison’s main task was as a member of the Remuneration Committee which voted through the bonus payments to the CEO.
As recently as November he was voted back onto the board at the AGM but seven months later, with the club in most need of leadership he has bailed out.
As a non-Executive Director Allison was expected to apply checks and balances to ensure best practice is applied at all times.
NICHOLSON- THE INVICIBLE CEO
Over the last five years Celtic have appointed Nicholson, Mark Lawwell, Paul Tisdale and Wilfried Nancy to senior roles without a murmur of concern from the nodding dogs in the boardroom.
Nicholson was last heard of in public on December 16. Singing the praises of Wilfried Nancy and outlining the exciting transfer plans for the number one candidate to succeed Brendan Rodgers.
That was the second time in a month that Nicholson had found the strength to speak to Celtic TV.
In almost five years as CEO Nicholson has only ever given two one-to-one interviews to Gerry McCulloch.
The content was every bit as wooden and scripted as you’d expect from a ‘leading sports lawyer’ groomed for his current job by Peter Lawwell.
There are rumours that Nicholson will be stepping down as CEO at the end of the season.
Like Allison he won’t be missed by anyone at the club. It is highly unlikely that Nicholson will walk into another job paying £17,000 a year where he hides behind the actions of others.
Brian Wilson and Dermot Desmond recorded their thanks to Allison. Desmond described him as ‘a person of vision’ which probably says more about Desmond than the former Clydeport bean-counter.
As usual, Nicholson wants the salary, bonus and trappings of being CEO of a plc,
BUT, he doesn’t want the responsibility.
If he was an underperforming player, he would have been punted long before now.
However, Nicholson is obviously still useful to DD. 🙁