Mark Keane and Raymond Buchanan have one month to show if they are part of the problem or the solution to issues at Celtic.
Being appointed as Non-Executive Directors by the current board isn’t the best of starts.
While Brian Wilson and Michael Nicholson swamp themselves in fake tributes Celtic has suddenly shrunk to a nonentity in European football.
Being top of the pile in Scotland means virtually nothing to the outside world.
Despite the media spin no-one anywhere in Europe cared about last season’s ‘exciting’ battle for the SPFL Premiership title.
Being less bad than Hearts doesn’t turn any heads on the continent.
Beating LASK Linz might have got a little acknowledgment. Joining Bodo Glimt and Viking of Norway in the Champions League may have attracted a few nods.
Instead Celtic are European nobodies. By design from a board that hasn’t came up with a single positive idea since the installation of a standing area in 2016.
In the last 13 months Kairat Almaty, Sporting Braga, Roma, Stuttgart and Ferencvaros have been celebrating in the away dressing room at Celtic Park.
CELTIC FACE PROBLEMS IN EVERY AREA OF THE CLUB
On European nights the tunnel area of Celtic Park looks tin pot. Overcrowded with the two teams emerging from different areas.
The main stand at Celtic Park has basically remained untouched since 1971. Perhaps only the iconic Estadio Nacional in Lisbon has stood still for the same length of time. In the sunshine of Lisbon and lined by trees it carried a certain charm.
On and off the park Celtic are bereft of ideas.
The income streams come through the habits of supporters.
The poverty on the pitch is matched by a decaying stadium.
And that is what Keane and Buchanan are walking into.
Being endorsed by Interim Chairman isn’t something to highlight on their CV
Today Wilson told the club website:
I am pleased to confirm that we have appointed two new Non-Executive Directors to fill vacancies created by the retirements of Peter Lawwell and Tom Allison. This process of board refreshment will continue.
Our two new directors have excellent credentials, both as lifelong Celtic supporters and highly successful individuals in their professional careers.
They will bring new ideas and insights to enhance the work of the board, its oversight of the club’s affairs and strengthening of relationships within the whole Celtic Family.
That last phrase is prime cringe.
Replacing Lawwell and Allison is the last thing that Celtic need.
Two freeloaders that contributed nothing with one extracting close to £20m while battling to save his cherished O** F*** branding.
Sharon Brown has served 10 years as a NED and said nothing.
Brian Rose has contributed three years of nothings.
A NED is supposed to apply checks and balances and strive to ensure best practice is followed. There is nothing world class at Celtic from the CEO down.
THE BOARDROOM OF SILENT FREELOADERS
Brown has witnessed six consecutive failures to qualify for the Champions League. And said nothing in public.
Keane shows promise bearing in mind the influence that his father John had on the club in the mid-nineties. An ally of Fergus McCann.
Buchanan is an unknown quantity.
Celtic are a complete shambles in every area.
On the pitch where only Europe matters they toil. Scouting and recruitment is a disaster area and as outdated as the creaking stadium.
Fitness issues haunt the playing staff.
Supporter relations are at an all time low. Chairman Lawwell couldn’t even handle an AGM that was less aggressive than a typical Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Keane must know the workings of the club inside out.
By mid October he’ll have enjoyed the Lisbon jolly although Benfica carry the threat to seriously embarrass this Celtic team. An affront to the Lisbon Lions.
Fans will know soon enough if Keane and Buchanan are only in it for the hospitality and jollies like Brown and Rose.
If they are they will deserve the derision coming their way at the AGM as they grin smugly alongside the other fat cats as Celtic hurtle towards Europa Conference League qualifiers.
