Serious intent from a support that has lost faith in Celtic’s custodians

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The Celtic Star

·2 settembre 2025

Serious intent from a support that has lost faith in Celtic’s custodians

On one of the Celtic supporter forums today, a fan summed up the growing frustration with the board in typically Celtic supporting fashion…

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC looks on from the stands prior to the Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

In response to Celtic’s Champions League exit and another transfer window where promised progress failed to materialise, he revealed the gift he had sent – via Amazon’s next-day delivery – to Michael Nicholson, Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond: a pair of clown shoes each.

OneFootball Video

It was humour to ease the pain of a dreadful deadline day. But beneath the laughs there is now serious intent from a support that has lost faith in the custodians of our club. Where once there was some division, now the vast majority of fans see a board unwilling or unable to provide Brendan Rodgers with the tools needed to build on last season’s progress in Europe.

Already, ideas are circulating among the support on how to effect change – some light-hearted, others much more serious. And one initiative, raised by a well-known shareholder active during Resolution 12, is worth highlighting now.

Peter Lawwell, Chairman of Celtic, Dermot Desmond, Non-Executive Director of Celtic, and Michael Nicholson, CEO of Celtic, are seen in attendance prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

A Facility Few Know About

This supporter contacted The Celtic Star to remind fellow shareholders of a facility created in 2022 to allow questions to be submitted directly to Celtic’s Company Secretary in advance of the AGM. These questions must be answered either at the meetingitself or in advance.

The shareholder explained:

“Did you know this facility to ask questions at any time before an AGM existed?

It is a genuine attempt to improve the quality of questions posed or issues addressed before an AGM. I know because I helped develop it in 2022 with the Company Secretary who wanted improved communications to address common issues.”

He has asked us to draw attention to this now – not wait until the week before the AGM when the Celtic Supporters’ Trust (CST) resolutions may dominate the agenda.

At least one Celtic-facing podcast has reported that the squad themselves are “stunned” at the lack of signings and the failure to secure Rodgers’ long-term future. It is therefore vital that shareholders press the board directly on what the club’s real purpose and direction is.

The shareholder in question has already submitted his own correspondence to Celtic’s Company Secretary. Below is the email he has sent (with personal details removed) – and he is encouraging other shareholders to do likewise:

Michael Nicholson, Celtic Chief Executive Officer looks on prior to the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Questions for the Board – 2025 AGM

I would like the following questions to be put to the Celtic Board at the next Celtic PLC AGM in accordance with Note 8 in the 2024 AGM Notice of Annual General Meeting, repeated from the 2022 AGM notices in 2023 and 2024 viz:

“Shareholders are reminded that they can contact the Company at any time during the year with questions or suggestions via investorrelations@celticfc.co.uk.Shareholders are welcome to submit questions in advance of the AGM via this email address, which the Board will endeavour to address at the AGM. We ask that all questions are submitted by no later than [a date before the 2025 AGM]. We ask that you include your full name and SRN in all communications with the Investor Relations Team.”

Celtic CEO Micheal Nicholson is seen during the Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Dear Company Secretary,

As a shareholder, I respectfully submit the following questions in advance of the 2025 Annual General Meeting.

Celtic was founded with a clear ethos and purpose rooted in community, charity, and identity. To ensure alignment between this founding purpose, the responsibilities of the Board, and the expectations of shareholders and supporters, I would be grateful if you could address the following:

Purpose – What does the Board consider to be the fundamental Purpose of Celtic Football Club?

Vision – What is the Vision of the Board for Celtic’s future?

Strategy – What Strategy has the Board adopted to achieve this Purpose and Vision?

Policies – What Policies are in place to support and deliver the Strategy?

Indicators – What Indicators or measures does the Board use to assess whether the Purpose, Vision, Strategy, and Policies are being achieved in practice?

I would respectfully ask that the Board’s responses provide clarity, substance, and measurable indicators, so that shareholders can understand how governance decisions align with the ethos and long-term direction of Celtic Football Club.

Yours faithfully,

[Name]

[Share Reference Number]

[Certificate Number]

What Shareholders Can Do

If you are a shareholder, you can submit questions of your own – or adapt the above – by emailing investorrelations@celticfc.co.uk.

Be sure to include your full name and Share Reference Number (SRN), which can be found on your share certificate.

If you are a member of the Celtic Supporters Trust, or plan to join, you may also wish to copy your correspondence to trust@celtictrust.net to support their ongoing efforts to build shareholder influence.

Now is the time to raise fundamental issues. The questions above go to the very heart of what Celtic is, what it stands for, and where it is going.

theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

If the board is unwilling to provide clarity on these basic points of Purpose, Vision, Strategy and Accountability, then shareholders – and supporters – are entitled to ask: who exactly are they serving?

The 2025 AGM is likely to take place in November 2025. Let’s not wait until the week before to act. Shareholders have the facility to demand answers NOW. The more who use it, the louder our collective voice will be.

Niall J

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now! In Celtic shops on Friday…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out now!

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is published this Friday 5 September by Celtic Star Books. All pre-ordered copies have now been signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain who has also written the foreword for David Potter’s final book.

These copies have now been posted to everyone who has pre-ordered with copies being send all over the world. It’s been an incredible response, so thank you to each and every one of you who will be receiving your signed book shorty.

Celtic in the Eighties will be available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops from Friday 5 September. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage. The next 30 orders will also receive a FREE copy of an earlier David Potter book, Alec McNair, Celtic’s Icicle then that wonderful David Potter book will be out of stock.