When my son was starting school, we were invited along to meet the teachers and get a feel for whether it was an environment we’d choose for the wee fella. To be honest we’d already decided however it was good to see how they went about their business.
One of the things that stood out for me was how a huge number of kids went from playground bedlam bouncing around our heads at break-time to sitting cross legged as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was read by a Primary school teacher to a group of silent children. How was it done? A raised voice from a calm teacher standing on a plastic box drifted across a room followed by a turn of the hand held up to her right ear in an unlocking motion and a request for ‘listening ears’ to be turned on. Silence descended almost immediately. Throughout the two hour visit the trick was used on a couple of further occasions and worked its miracle.
Dominic McKay hasn’t been in the job long and it is fair to say he’s walked into a club as disorganised and chaotic as any playground but one thing he seems to have done so far at least is turn on his listening ears and it is making for a good start.
It is of course baby steps so far, you wouldn’t expect Rome to be built in a day, but it seems he’s well aware he’s walked into a dysfunctional environment and it looks like he’s trying to hear what the concerns of a disgruntled support might be.
So far, we’ve already seen the Kano Foundation receive 153 season tickets free this season, whilst the new CEO has been doing the rounds listening to supporter’s groups and has even engaged directly with individual supporters involved in Celtic related projects. Something that will be continued this week as the Ange and Dom roadshow meets up with Celtic fans media as Celtic have arranged a Fan Media Conference at Celtic Park on Friday with both men which The Celtic Star will attend and report back on.
McKay also appears more media savvy in general releasing pictures of he and new manager Ange Postecoglou’s arrival in the UK, their visit to Wembley and the onward journey to Celtic’s new man getting down to work at Lennoxtown yesterday. Our new CEO promised improved communication and it certainly seems he’s doing just that.
Yesterday the charm offensive went further still as ten more games were added to the Pass to Paradise and the club announced five of the women’s team’s games and the same number of the new B team campaign from the Lowland league would be added for season ticket holders next season, available to stream from home. It may not seem much, and the cynical may even say it is due to slow season ticket sales, but for those willing to give the benefit of the doubt, and I’m one of them, this is a sign of progress.
The women’s team last season was a breath of fresh air as Fran Alonso and his superb team delivered Champions league qualification and a side to be proud of for the support, yet coverage has been lacking. Meanwhile our youngsters, starved of football last season, will now play a league campaign in the lowland league and those who like to follow the progress of our young talents will now get a chance to see future talent for ourselves, something until now it has been hard to do.
(Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
The exposure to both these teams can improve still further but it has to be said this is a good start from Celtic and I’m not sure any of this would have happened had it not been for Dominic McKay engaging with and actually listening to supporters. There is also money to be made from both these teams and a support with a thirst for all things Celtic, as such getting fans engaged now makes as much business sense as it does from a public relations perspective.
Of course, the acute needs of the support at this time probably don’t necessarily prioritise the areas Dominic McKay has addressed so far. We know after all that the support want to see signings and progress as to how the footballing operations at Celtic can improve going forward but that is not something Celtic’s new CEO can turn around by himself or overnight.
What McKay appears to be doing now is offering the olive branch and starting at least to build bridges with the support. He appears to recognise and to communicate his awareness of the club’s values and try to evidence that for now he is at least listening and willing to implement where possible what is being conveyed to him.
The next few weeks and months will tell us more about whether Dominic McKay really has turned those listening ears on but for now it appears he is certainly paying attention and that simply wasn’t happening under his predecessor.
Niall J
