‘Not fit for purpose,’ Lawwell blast at Hampden flops as he hails Celtic’s success

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Peter Lawwell has revealed that Celtic are in the strongest financial position ever as he hit out at the SFA, branding them not fit for purpose.

Speaking about the club’s interim results for the 6 months to 31 December 2017 Lawwell was pleased with the Parkhead performance which saw turnover jump to £71.5m and pre-tax profit reach an impressive £19.5m. Celtic have over £30m sitting in the bank, more of a war chest than a biscuit tin, you could say.

“I think the balance sheet is probably the strongest it’s ever been in the club’s history. That allows us to plan for the future and invest in the squad; and also the infrastructure around Celtic Park,” Lawwell stated.

“We’re well-resourced. In football, it can be very volatile and very unpredictable but we now have a solid base that allows us to take on the challenges that football presents.

“We’re in very good financial shape but you can’t be complacent on the pitch, in terms of success. And you can’t be complacent off the pitch.”

In contrast to the collective good job been done at Celtic Park, Lawwell is much more critical of aspects of the operation running the SFA out of Hampden. And he believes that these failings are the reason that Stewart Regan was forced out of office last week after an inglorious reign at the head of the discredited national association.

Speaking this evening on the BBC, Lawwell hit out at the SFA Board.

“The problems appear to be significant,” he said.

“I came off the board a couple of years ago; from the outside looking in, clearly, there are problems,” Lawwell stated.

“The problems appear to be significant and it seems that Stewart Regan has taken the rap for that, in terms of the changes over the last couple of weeks.

Lawwell didn’t name names in terms of the unfit for purpose culprits but he didn’t have to. He simply listed the people involved at Hampden who are capable o doing a good job. If you didn’t get a mention then your time is up!

“I think there are others in there, who have presided over the SFA for a number of years, that really need to have a look at themselves just now. I don’t think it’s worth personalising, but clearly there are issues that need to be addressed. On the other hand, I think there are positives,” said the Celtic Chief Executive.

“You have a board there with very capable people in Mike Mulraney, who represent the clubs, alongside Ian Maxwell. And you’ve got independent non-executives in Gary Hughes and Ana Stewart who are capable people.

“I think it’s time for these guys to be given their head and maybe given a bit more authority to actually understand what is the purpose of the SFA in the modern game? And how does that relate to the SPFL and the clubs?

“I think there should be a process of restructuring, re-organising that allows the SFA to be fit for that purpose.

“There are a lot of good staff at the SFA and we engage with them at the moment. There are a lot of good people in there – that’s another positive.

“There is an opportunity for everyone to sit down, look at what they should be doing, look at what’s gone wrong, learn lessons and move on.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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