McGowan Confirms Strachan in Celtic Exit Talks

On Monday a WhatsApp message was flying around the Celtic support.

As ever with WhatsApp a large pinch of salt is required.

This one was a bit different. It put together a few different threads that made it sort of believable.

There are stories going around that have been ‘substantiated’ but also with a few tasty aspects that made you think about other issues.

With almost complete silence out of Celtic since the Scottish Cup Final that vacuum paves the way for rumours. Of variable substance.

Celtic fans now know not to write anything off.

Season 25/26 could never have been guessed at. Brendan Rodgers replaced by the seventh best coach in the MLS Eastern Conference was far fetched.

But not as much of a stretch as Martin O’Neill being announced as permanent manager for the 26/27 season.

NO-ONE CAN PREDICT WHAT IS GOING ON AT CELTIC

Who could have imagined the Celtic manager spending part of June hosting Q and A sessions. In Kirkcaldy, Dumfries and Uddingston of all places!

At Celtic fiction can merge with fact. The WhatsApp message below can’t be dismissed.

Got to love WhatsApp rumours pic.twitter.com/TBwRs9xTaU
— Stacey Devlin (@StaceyDevlinx) June 15, 2026

At 5pm tonight Stephen McGowan delivered an update on events on the Celtic Way.

He is the most authoritative reporter on the Celtic beat. McGowan has a long track record of being very accurate with news about Celtic, generally of the positive, upbeat type but sometimes breaking the bad news as well.

Celtic first team coach Gavin Strachan has held discussions over a move to West Bromwich Albion.
Son of former Celtic and Scotland boss Gordon, the 47-year-old is earmarked to be part of a reshaped backroom team currently being put together by Baggies manager James Morrison.
Strachan has been set-piece coach at Parkhead since the summer of 2020 when he arrived as a replacement for the departed Damien Duff.
Previously assistant manager to Darren Ferguson at Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough, he retains family in the Midlands and is now expected to leave Glasgow and return to England.

With that firm nod towards the Strachan aspect what else in the WhatsApp message can be stood up.

From multiple sources it seems that the low-balling offers to Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham are spot on.

Only the extent of their pay-cuts is up for debate. That tactic is very Celtic. Where money is chucked away on wasters while those that deliver are undervalued.

Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay were paid £1.4m during the 24/25 season for piggy backing on to Brendan Rodgers.

Their true value emerged during 25/26. Nicholson disappeared, McKay snarled.

CELTIC- NO STRATEGY OR COMMUNICATIONS

Expectations of a massive rebuild, on and off the park at Celtic can be completely discounted.

Complacency reigns.

Beyond appointing a Fan Engagement Officer and taking a Fans Forum out of Glasgow Brian Wilson has nothing new to offer.

The club has had a year to plan for life beyond Brendan Rodgers, since January 5 the Wilfried Nancy and Tisdale deal was dead in the water. Not happening.

Recruitment remains unaltered. There are sound reasons why clubs and agents don’t want to engage with Celtic.

An undefined Recruitment Department passes names to Nicholson and McKay. The dynamic duo come in with low-ball offers, so low that there is no point in negotiating. If they get an agreement an email is sent off to Dermot Desmond for approval. That decision can often depend on how his round of golf ended.

Not since Ange Postecoglou and Dom McKay were calling the shots in 2021 have Celtic had a productive summer transfer window.

Back then a manager with a plan found a CEO of the same mindset. Postecoglou was able to lean on the contacts of his agent, Frank Trimboli and Celtic were transformed.

Already there is an air of resignation among Celtic fans.

Season 26/27 could be a re-run of the campaign just finished. Banking on some more magic from O’Neill is a dangerous strategy.

Without the infrastructure of a modern club Celtic are in dangerous territory.

Further WhatsApp messages can be anticipated. Not all of them should be dismissed.

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1 Comment

by John A
Posted June 16, 2026 7:32 pm 0Likes
Surely MON wouldn’t have agreed to the job if this was the case? Nothing at Celtic surprises you. Those running the club have been there too long now. Change is needed. Are fans up for the fight? Europe is the only place fans can do it, will many hold their money back? I certainly won’t be buying tickets.