KILMARNOCK, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 18: Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson and Chief Financial Officer Christopher McKay during a Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Auchinleck Talbot and Celtic at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, on January 18, 2026, in Kilmarnock, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
A year after being pushed into action The Celtic Fans Collective is in a familiar position.
Last season’s Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty triggered a chain of events that no-one could have imagined.
A few different groups of Celtic fans published seven questions on social media for the Board to answer.
No one could have guessed about what happened next.
Over 400 different supporter groups got behind the message leading to the formation of the Collective.
Corporate Celtic, normally basking in the glow of praise from their obliging media partners went into meltdown.
Wild Saturday night statements were issued, Peter Lawwell and his long term friend Tom Allison bailed out with elderly Brian Wilson taking on the gig of Chairman. Eight months on he remains as Interim Chairman.
The Not Another Penny campaign has been incredibly successful.
The handling of the AGM by Lawwell was a shambles, highlighting his complete unsuitability for that role. Or any role at Celtic.
Ross Desmond was invited to deliver a blistering attack on the anti-establishment fans.
And so it went on. We even had 33 days of the worst manager in Celtic’s history to sum up the judgement of CEO Michael Nicholson.
After a fortnight of promise Tuesday night in Linz stripped away the illusion that Celtic were changing their ways.
The same people in charge are incapable of changing their ways.
LASK was a different style of failure.
THE CELTIC EXECUTIVE IN A CURCUIT OF EUROPEAN FAILURE
Players and managers may change but while Nicholson and McKay lead Celtic the club will forever be in the shadow of Bodo Glimt, Viking and Sabah.
With a year of experience the Collective know their targets and the £1.5m a year duo responsible for the also-rans status that Celtic have outside of Scotland.
Despite some promising signings, the squad is clearly nowhere near where it should be. The failures of previous windows were also laid bare as the team struggled against a LASK side who thoroughly deserved to qualify. Last week, we called for a culture of accountability. (2)
— Celtic Fans Collective (@CFC_Collective) August 26, 2026
We must now reckon with another failure under their watch. No fan wishes to return to constant protest, but equally the Club must recognise the anger that exists once again. Accountability must follow if further disharmony between the Club and supporters is to be avoided (4)
— Celtic Fans Collective (@CFC_Collective) August 26, 2026
Having found their feet and common ground for a variety of different supporter groups the Collective has an opportunity to make an impact in the coming weeks.
Within the next fortnight Celtic should publish their report to the year ending 30 June 2026. The bank balance is likely to be standing at between £70-100m.
Another Europa League campaign and underwhelming signings provide the perfect backdrop as the clock ticks closer to the2026 AGM.
Lawwell and Allison have already opted out. Removing Nicholson and McKay would be a major step towards getting Celtic run competently although there are bigger issues than the front of house duo.
I could not believe some celtic fans last week saying what a good transfer window we had pre second leg…same old biscuit tin mentality..we should have had at least another 3 signings ..our set up and structure was poor….coach and manager must also accept some criticism …another horrible day at the European office..gutted
You’re right. Fifteen players out the door and only four in isn’t good enough. We’re still about £6M to the good when all the outs and ins are compared.
People look at Martin O’Neil’s first spell in charge as being great in Europe although under him we seldom won away from home and I remember a few really bad defeats. I think we were three nil down away to Benfica after twenty minutes. We lost to Anderlect away despite them being down to ten men for about seventy minutes.
Our great eiro nights were based on home form but the away results were dismal.
I love MON to bits , but his day has come & gone , did not personally want MON & even more so Maloney & fotheringham , but it was the easy option for the board to appoint, a lot of fans bought into it including me to a degree , I still retained some doubt as to weather this was the way forward.
We still have a surplus of £10m in transfer fees received , but more sales are predicted before loan deals come in , this morning on Sky Sports it was reported that the team across the city have spent over £9m on a striker & are close to agreeing a deal worth £8.5m for a winger , they may be broke but there must be money coming in from somewhere , we are a shambolic excuse as a leading football team.
Caused by a small group of people calling themselves guardians of the club , if only incompetence was a serious crime then DD & his Minions would be given life without parole.
We can still hope with 2 weeks left in the window that we or shall I say they get it right , another £20m spend would not dent the mountain of money in the bank to much , or is that to much to ask for .?
Editor: We have six days left for UEFA registration then a further day to register our EPL loan signings with the SFA.
Your right Joe , got my sums wrong, so much for my school qualifications in Maths ,
We have now arrived at the point when every single Celtic fan must make a decision.you either accept what the board do, and sit and do as you are told like naughty school children or, decide to to something,it’s up to the individual, but if you do nothing then there will be no change.
I love Celtic and will always support them but, action is needed and I have decided that I will no longer be part of the home ticket scheme, that way Celtic get sent a message and I can change my mind at anytime, up to you.
A geriatric Board .manager.major shareholder.
Player’s who are not Celtic standard, and taking a salary Ralston,Murray,Scales,Tounekti, McCowan.plus the injury prone Player’s. This club is NOT being run like a modern European Football club.