Michael Nicholson has stalled on Celtic agreeing a deal for Mika Baur over 300,000 euros.
In the year to 30 June2025 Celtic paid £11.8m to HMRC in Corporation Tax. Almost £1m a month, or in Nicholson’s terms £983, 333.33 a month.
It can’t be denied that the Celtic CEO prefers paying money to King Charles than strengthening the first team squad. Or doing anything to improve the club.
At 4.39pm on July 21 Fabrizio Romano broke the news that Celtic had agreed terms to sign Baur. ‘All’ that remained was to agree a fee with Paderborn and the 22-year-old midfielder would be a Celtic player.
When Nicholson is involved never under-estimate his ability to fail to do the basics of his job.
On July 4 he found his voice to tell a group of Irish Celtic fans that he struggles to cope with football agents.
An incredible admission. The very basics of his £17,000 a week job.
In the case of Baur it seems that Nicholson has managed to strike a deal with his agent, Christian Nerlinger.
Now a figure of 300,000 euros has halted a deal. At today’s exchange rates that is £256,410.25.
Can we just get some responsible adults in the room, please. Before these incompetents derail our season before a ball is kicked
— BryanMc (@Bryanmc67) July 23, 2026
It has to be deliberate at this point. Not even the current band of chancers are that incompetent. It’s just not possible. As you say, with £80m in the bank it’s not really about to £250k. It can’t be. What are they up to?
— RandomBhoy (@RandomBhoy) July 23, 2026
Just to play lowball, the Mikey Nicholson way…
— GerardKingOfVino ? (@Gerard_D_) July 23, 2026
Last year Celtic went on record to blame Belgian and German tax laws for their failings in the transfer market.
CELTIC- A CLUB LIKE NO OTHER WITH TRANSFERS
Funnily enough no other clubs reported this problem. Clubs across Europe buy and sell players to German and Belgian clubs every day of the transfer window.
Meanwhile Martin O’Neill is preparing for the final pre-season friendly with just one player.
Two months on from the Scottish Cup Final only Camilo Duran has been added to the Celtic squad.
O’Neill will go through the excuses today for his failure of a CEO.
Follow up or detailed questions are unlikely from Celtic’s preferred media partners.
Recently Celtic have gone out of their way to support the Daily Record, Sun and Herald.
Perhaps someone asking questions at today’s media conference might push for answers on the delays and failings of Nicholson.
O’Neill was side-by-side with his CEO when he gave the agents excuse.
With every passing week of transfer failings O’Neill is becoming more complicit in the failings of his £17,000 a week CEO.
#Sky Info: #Celtic pusht für Mika #Baur. Vereine in Kontakt. Abgang unter Marktwert für #Paderborn Bosse keine Option, würden eher ablösefreien Abschied 2027 in Kauf nehmen. #SCP sieht keinen Verkaufsdruck. Plant mit dem ZM für kommende Buli Saison@SkySportDE @Plettigoal pic.twitter.com/HaHAg5L8Qv
— Dennis Bayer (@_dennisbayer) July 23, 2026
#SkyInfo: #Celticpush for Mika #Baur. Clubs in contact. Departure below market value for #Paderbornbosses no option, would rather accept a free transfer departure in 2027. #SCPsees no pressure to sell. Plans with the midfielder for the upcoming Bundesliga season
So days ago we ‘ had agreed personal terms ‘ with Mika Baur, then nothing……pathetic.
Also I refuse to believe we ‘ are in talks ‘ with Kasper Høgh, it’s a lot of pish if you ask me.
Day after day nothing, it’s quite incredible— 10 H (@Inmemoryofthet1) July 23, 2026
Roughly the same amount of money Liewell wouldn’t pay to Hibs for Fletcher in 09 and McGinn in 18. He taught you well Mute Mike. Celtic ST holders – this is your fault so don’t moan….
The protests so far haven’t worked so they need stepped up
It’s obvious Paderborn have said Baur would be available next summer for free thats what they are waiting for well get him for nothing next summer absolute disgrace
It’s an absolute disgrace, MN is the CEO of feck all, just a name on a door for a box ticking exersise….this is all down to dick dastrdly, get him OUT!!!
What you have to remember is that the €300k might be coming out of Michael’s next bonus, and we can’t have that can we.
Why is anyone surprised, this is their modus operandi, and the happy clappers who have bought season tickets and merchandise have given the odious Desmond carte blanch to do what he wants ,which is keep our money .stop giving them your money or you are complicit in the destruction of our club
They have now alerted every team in Europe as to the players availability. What’s the bet someone else nicks in with the valuation figure and we lose another player in an area that needs strengthening. We need to get rid of the bastards on our board no matter what it takes
“ With every passing week of transfer failings O’Neill is becoming more complicit in the failings of his £17,000 a week CEO.“
It certainly looks that way. That the legend that is MON who delivered, from the ashes of Celtics incompetence, a Historic Double, is getting more and more a Board Shill and can now be diagnosed with Stockholm syndrome? He’s certainly earning the exorbitant salary that he negotiated. ( even though he agreed a 30% reduction to last years SOS amount that they desperately paid him…) £12million already in sales and only £3m spent? The standard policy, never not to be implemented, of 20% of incomings spent on replacements.
Celtic is Grace Brothers
They know that season ticket holders will always renew so we are pumped. Not having a go at fans who renewed btw. If this window closes and its as bad or worse than last years window then the fans need to ramp it up.
Absoloutely no merchandise etc . If it is another disaster of a window then only thing left is to not attend on match day. A HUGE ask of the fans but no pain no gain.
I also think Mon is a problem , hes just a Yes man for the board. Hes only in the job and hes shielding them already. The fact that he didnt even demand anything from the absentee land lord speaks volumes . He will probably lose his legacy.
He is a silly old man for letting himself get into this position