Celtic Collective Questions Club Direction

The Celtic Collective have responded to the release of Minutes from their meeting on Monday night at Celtic Park.

As confirmed by the various leaked reports Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay had nothing meaningful to offer. More of the same, sit back and listen, preferably in Adidas or Larsson merchandise.

Everything about the club is geared to being world class, after four years as CEO Nicholson has yet to take part in a single one-on-one media interview.

Judging by Monday’s performance that isn’t going to change any time soon. He isn’t a people person, he is no Dom McKay.

THE SHADOW OF LAWWELL

Nicholson and McKay were both brought to Celtic by Peter Lawwell. They have taken fully on board the arrogance and contempt for fans of the current Chairman.

Seven meaningful questions were first raised in a joint communication led by the Green Brogade. And backed by over 100 other supporter groups and fan media outlets.

Nothing earth shattering was demanded, simply a competent club showing moderate ambitions.

Being on a par with Club Brugge would satisfy most Celtic fans. A club with half the stadium capacity of Celtic but taking part in Champions League knock-out ties in seven of the last eight seasons.

As a bonus Club Brugge make a significant transfer surplus every year. They reinvest it in the club rather than paying 10% of turnover in taxes, never to be seen again.

When Rennes, Como or Swansea come in for a player Club Brugge don’t panic. They have successors signed up or identified, it is a simple yet effective model.

Champions League football should be a regular event, not an occasional treat.

No football failings were admitted to. McKay and Nicholson come over as arrogant and resentful at being questioned on their running of the club.

Accompanying the release of the Minutes the Collective announced:

As has been widely reported, Celtic Fans Collective representatives left the meeting disappointed at the lack of meaningful progress. It was a missed opportunity to begin genuine reform.
As reflected in the minutes, the absence of timelines, accountability measures, and clear responses to key concerns reinforced a perception of disengagement and complacency.
Our representatives made clear to Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay that this moment represents a turning point in supporter relations. We reaffirmed our commitment to pursuing structural change, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the Club’s governance and operations.

Just like senior figures speaking to Roger Hannah of The Sun and the September 6 statement Celtic’s actions are fuelling the Collective.

In the spotlight Nicholson and McKay are unconvincing. They make Celtic’s transfer failings much easier to understand.

INCOME STREAMS

Every action from the club highlights how out of touch they are and resentful they are to the supporters that drive every income stream.

A week today Adidas can expect a furious backlash to their latest Celtic lifestyle launch.

Tickets for the Europa League tie against Sturm Graz won’t be shifting at £45 a pop.

Having given the club the opportunity to state their case, explain their ways the Collective know that they can’t deal with the current regime.

Nicholson and McKay were internal appointments, company men. They were paid around £2m for season 24/25, salaries that they wouldn’t get near outside the Celtic bubble.

When the income streams drop they might face some scrutiny. Champions League failure is likely to cost the club £20-30m.

No disruptive actions will be taken at matches but the executives will quickly discover the consequences of Monday’s box ticking exercise in pesky ‘supporter engagement’.