CEO Nicholson under siege as secret meeting spectacularly backfires

Michael Nicholson and his boardroom stooges found themselves under increased attack after their secret meeting with fans backfired on social media.

A Monday night out in Greenock is rarely a good idea with the horrific judgment of the Celtic CEO again highlighted.

Back in the eighties or nineties such a venture might have been a decent idea.

With the CEO steering Celtic backwards at an incredible rate it was madness to think that the fan engagement box could be ticked in front a hand-picked audience of 120 fans. About as representative of the Celtic support as the one fan from each stand to join Celtic Connect.

Whenever they deem to hold an AGM Nicholson and Brian Wilson can constantly refer to Greenock as an example of how they engage with supporters.

Curiously Nicholson and Wilson missed the match at Falkirk on Sunday. Maybe they were excused going to it as they were giving up their Monday evening at home.

In a typically cynical move Martin O’Neill ‘volunteered’ to attend. Not many Europa League managers will be doing that three days before an important match.

Not many 74-year-olds want to travel then sit through a two and a half hour meeting when they have training the next day.

At the start of July Nicholson told a hastily arranged meeting in Cork that he struggles to deal with football agents. Basically the most essential part of the job that he has been in for more than five years.

Some might suggest that Nicholson struggles with most aspects of his job other than checking his bank account at the end of each month.

Of course Celtic’s failures in the Champions League, League Cup and Europa League have nothing to do with the club.

The problems are all down to Brendan Rodgers and Arne Engels!

That is the manager that was in the final year of his contract who was subject to the most brutal, professional and personal attack on the Celtic website by a Non Executive Director.

As CEO Nicholson clearly approved of every word of that statement.

Apparently the self interest of one man won’t be allowed to undermine the brilliant robust business plan that Celtic have in place.

Roma, Stuttgart, LASK Linz, Ferencvaros, Benfica and Celtic Vigo may dispute that claim. As do the finalists in next months League Cup Final.

THE SHAMELESS TREATMENT OF ARNE ENGELS

While Rodgers worked his ticket Engels apparently downed tools.

The guy that stepped up to take and score a penalty in the SPFL decider at home to Hearts. That guy?

The one that started the first two SPFL matches in outstanding form?

The guy that was denied a £25m move to the EPL in January wanted to move on to treble his wages six months later.

In January Celtic should have had a replacement for Engels at the club or lined up. They didn’t.

They celebrated a £22m transfer fee from West Ham more than any football victory.

And thought that in Mika Baur and on loan Oliver Sorenson they had replaced a Champions League player with £15m cash to spare.

Fear not. Celtic are ready to spend money in January using the same tried and failed Recruitment Set Up that has taken the team from the Round of 16 Champions League Play Off to 35th in the Europa League in under two years.

Hopefully this years Chairman doesn’t close the AGM before shareholders get the chance to question Nicholson and get some follow up questions into the £17,000 a week CEO.