Can Celtic’s hapless CEO, Michael Nicholson go from Zero to Hero?
The die is cast.
No matter how long Nicholson remains in post as Celtic’s Chief Executive he will be remembered for one thing only.
Wilfried Nancy.
Remember what he said shortly after appointing the worst coach in Celtic’s 138 year history:
We have been aware of Wilfried and his quality of work for some time – he was our number one candidate when we began the process of appointing a new Manager and we are delighted that he has agreed to join the club.
Since then, just seven weeks ago, Michael’s “number one choice” has cost his employer the League Cup, 12 league points and several million pounds.
It’s highly likely that Michael’s folly has also cost us the league championship and with it a chance at next season’s Champions League.
NICHOLSON AND NANCY- NO ESCAPE
So, now and in time to be, wherever green is worn, the names Nicholson and Nancy are intertwined.
Like bread and butter, jelly and ice cream, and Morecambe and Wise.
Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng is perhaps the most appropriate analogy.
By all accounts Michael is a Celtic fan. So facing this degree of ignominy, ridicule and notoriety for the rest of his life must be a daunting prospect.
He could be forgiven for thinking that there is nothing he can do to make things better.
But there is one thing that he could do.
The Dermot Desmond/Peter Lawwell era at Celtic Park has been characterised by something close to complete contempt for the supporters of Celtic FC and the shareholders of Celtic PLC.
Nothing is ever explained.
No apology has ever been made for the many boardroom-led fiascos that we have witnessed over the last 2 decades.
There is no strategy to communicate or engage with supporters or small shareholders.
And therein lies Michael’s opportunity.
The only way to avoid being remembered solely for something catastrophic is to seek redemption through atonement.
Michael should use all of the authority that he has as Celtics most senior full time employee to persuade the PLC Board that it’s time to come clean. To make the Nancy debacle a moment of epiphany.
The PLC should convene an Extraordinary General Meeting with a single agenda item.
PAST FAILURES AND FUTURE STRATEGY
The Interim Chair and the CEO should apologise for the wretched current state of the club, explain how in a single year they took us from the top 24 in Europe to 3rd in Scotland and set out a strategy to ensure that in future the club maximises its potential for success on the playing field.
I have little doubt that the Board would be resistant to such an approach. Apart from anything else it would show up Dermot Desmond’s inflammatory statement about the former Head Coach for the nonsense that it was.
But if Michael is unable to persuade his fellow board members to follow this path then he should resign, refuse to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement and give the supporters and shareholders the information that they deserve.
The lack of any explanation, apology or resignation from the Board as a result of the Nancy debacle is both shameless and shameful.
It does though create an opportunity from Celtic’s hapless CEO to go from zero to hero with one audacious move.
Nothing in his career to date suggests that Michael is about to take such a visionary and courageous step.
But now more than ever Celtic need a hero to emerge from the wreckage of the 2025/26 season.
The alternative for Michael Nicholson is to live the rest of his life as a punchline for a joke told by those who despise Celtic FC and everything it stands for.
Go on Michael, surprise us.
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