Lawwell, Nicholson and co are on a par with the Kellys and Whites and when it comes to self preservation, but that’s where the similarities with the old Celtic board end…
Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay applaud during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
First of all, I’m no board apologist, far from it. They all need replaced and the sooner the better for the sake of our football club in terms of moving forward.
For all their faults they do have us in a healthy place financially, thanks to their astute financial minds, that can’t be argued. It’s their self-serving attitude and hoarding of the club’s wealth that’s the problem, plus their reluctance to take our club to a level that we are actually very capable of reaching. They have zero ambition, and their mere presence is crushing the very soul of the club.
This has led to some confused folk on social media comparing them to the Kelly and White dominated era in the dark old days of the early 1990s, which is rather absurd truth be told.
Celtic CEO Micheal Nicholson during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Those aforementioned shysters were literally running the club into the ground as we teetered on the brink of financial collapse, with administration and on the menu hadn’t it been for fan intervention that led to Fergus McCann and co saving the day at literally the 11th hour.
These days we are not in any danger of heading that way, thankfully, but as a club we badly need an urgent change of direction. Lawwell, Nicholson and co are on a par with the Kelly and White led dynasty when it comes to self-preservation, but that’s where the similarities end.
Back in the early 1990s change was badly needed, as it is today. But both sets of circumstances are completely different. Back then we were slowly digging our own grave, whilst today we just prefer to stand still, content with our lot.
Celts for Change emerged from within the Celtic support and that lit the flame under the push for change at the club. This week another very similar flame has been lit and like Celts for Change it may be unstoppable whether those in the boardroom understand that or not.
Anyone who thinks differently is either deluded or wasn’t around in those very dark days in the 1990s when the Celtic support had to act the influence the future direction of the club. The collective will of the Celtic support was obvious then and it’s the same now.
Of course it’s not unanimous, there are Board apologists out there like the Lawwell fan-boy on CQN who has been undermining Brendan Rodgers since he returned, he’s now apparently got a side-kick who scornfully tells Celtic supporters that they have never amounted to much in life and should let the magnificent Celtic board do their brilliant work on our behalf. That’s the view from some in the fat cats.
theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
So pick your side.
Yesterday more fan organisations including an incredible number of CSCs added to the list of those who are looking for answers from the Celtic Board.
North Curve Celtic reported:
‘In less than 24 hours, an additional 160 CSCs and 29 Fan Media & Online platforms have signed the Open Letter to Celtic FC. The signatories represent tens of thousands of Celtic supporters from around the world. We urge Celtic FC to respond to the letter as a matter of urgency.’
In less than 24 hours, an additional 160 CSCs and 29 Fan Media & Online platforms have signed the Open Letter to Celtic FC.
The signatories represent tens of thousands of Celtic supporters from around the world.
We urge Celtic FC to respond to the letter as a matter of urgency pic.twitter.com/39D9PX1W2o
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) September 4, 2025
None of the questions being asked by the collective voice of the Celtic support are unreasonable. Answers and communication are now required, not a rumoured interview with Sky Sports.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Fair point, I remember the Kelly and the Whites who had no interest I the club. The present Board in poor and will be held accountable . Supporters in various way are holding them accountable. The Board have got some things right, recruitment is a total shambles.
“This has led to some confused folk on social media comparing them to the Kelly and White dominated era in the dark old days of the early 1990s, which is rather absurd truth be told.”
Not absurd in the slightest. The current board are mirroring the indifference, arrogance and self-interest of the Kelly/White regime exactly.
What might be absurd is having to announce that you’re not an apologist for the board, then go on to praise its financial acumen.
Articles like this, attacking other’s views play into the current regime’s hands by inciting division and contention.
Totally agree Paddy it is obvious the writer has no real knowledge of the Kelly/White regime or he would realise they have more in common than not. Both boardrooms were self serving , egotistical, only after your money, and have lost site that first and foremost that it is what is on the football park that drives everything
Fools like you don’t help.
Board have to answer for some bad decisions , BUT they are the reason we have been so dominant.
BR has to share the blame, “all” his signings have been a disaster, close to £30m. Board are correct to be hesitant about giving him more. CL was BR fault, that squad should have been good enough .
BR has to take responsibility for poor performance over last 6-8months, it’s been dire for long time.
Same happened when Fergus McCan was in charge, the gate he got was unbelievable , yet 15 years later “the dumb Celtic fans” understand how important he was.
Most fans can’t run a house without incurring debts, yet they want to give advice to board members 🫣😂, realise how stupid that is ??
We won the European cup under the kellys and whites too
Be careful what you wish for…… I’m all for finding out who is underachieving in the transfer recruitment department and removing them, however I think that any attempt to oust DD would open up our club to an Ashley type…….
HH
This board could have been more successful and had more money in their shareholders pockets if they had just invested, speculate to accumulate, we wouldn’t have been put out by the likes of Cluj etc.. then.
This board have done this to themselves with their short sighted financial plans and only just wanting to be ahead of that mob across the city.
The board is only interested in their own pockets and self entitlement runs deep in them. These guys have took a fortune from our club especially mr heated driveway himself Lawell, he has hindered us on the pitch constantly whilst maximising his and other shareholders profits short term.
Vanity projects like hotels and museums that come to nothing although they have contacts like Haughey who would do most of the contracting fpr these things.
If you compare our club to the likes of Brugge, Bodo, Copenhagen, and others you see we are actually failing on all fronts, from player sales numbers to how the club is run daily.
The academy should be producing more players, we should have a better understanding of how to get the best from the resources we have.
The stadium is tired and outdated now, that could have been sorted by just allowing the Bhoys group and GB to paint every concourse with legends and moments.
The land around the stadium could have more done with it and more done for fans for a start, places for supporters groups to meet after their journeys from respective places, places were you can take your kids to maximise there enjoyment of the day and to enable everyone to come together.
Also if the board were as good as they say or think they are then they should have pressed for chamge in scottish football long ago, restructuring of the leagues is a must and a modern approach to all grass roots.
It doesn’t need to be compared to the nineties to be a bad situation, both are different times and both are just as inept at running the club and maximising its potential.