‘Nicholson shrugged his shoulders’ – Let’s explain it to Celtic’s CEO

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The Celtic Star

·10. Oktober 2025

‘Nicholson shrugged his shoulders’ – Let’s explain it to Celtic’s CEO

Michael Nicholson simply shrugged his shoulders when asked why Brendan Rodgers had referred to certain new summer arrivals at Celtic in the summer as “club signings” – Let’s explain it to the Celtic CEO…

Shin Yamada & Hayato Inamura of Celtic step off the team bus at Celtic Park. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

The club signed 11 new players in the summer window – which Niall J reviewed and rated on The Celtic Star yesterday afternoon – bringing in several new faces — among them Kieran Tierney, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Benjamin Nygren.

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Mid-season Friendly, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork 8/7/2025 Cork City vs Celtic Celtics Callum Osmand shoots at goal Callum Osmand shoots at goal 8/7/2025 Photo INPHO/Ken Sutton

Meanwhile, players such as Shin Yamada, Jahmai Simpson Pusey, Callum Osmand and Hayato Inamura have seen barely any competitive minutes between them.

Revealingly Rodgers described them as “club signings,” suggesting that these players were brought in through the club’s own recruitment process rather than at his personal request or initiative and that he certainly did not regard them as first team starters this season.

Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Following the publication of minutes from this Monday’s meeting between the Celtic Fan Collective and senior club officials including CEO Michael Nicholson and CFO Chris McKay, it emerged that this issue had been among the points discussed.

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Supporters have expressed growing dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer dealings, both this summer and in past windows, a frustration that has played a major role in fuelling the continuous protests throughout September.

The issue was inevitably brought up during the meeting, but the chief executive offered little beyond a shrug of his shoulders when questioned about the manager’s remarks, insisting only that the Celtic boss has the final approval on all signings.

The club also outlined its “multi-disciplinary approach” to transfers, under which any deal exceeding a specific financial limit requires approval from multiple members of the board.

The jointly approved minutes stated as per Celtic FC, read: “The Club were asked to confirm who is responsible for conducting football transfers – including if the Chief Executive and CFO were directly involved in the same. Supporter Groups also sought confirmation as to who ‘values’ players and agrees commercial terms. CMcK (Chris McKay) explained that a multi-disciplinary approach is taken. This approach is led by the football department who identify players, with the executive team concluding transactions. This was noted by MN (Michael Nicholson) as not being unusual within football clubs. JG asked if the football manager sanctioned all signings, MN confirmed that he did. MGe asked why the Manager referred to some signings as ‘club signings’ – MN shrugged his shoulders.”

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC and Chris McKay, CFO 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)

“Discussion turned to the valuation of players. MN and CMcK explained how the process operates, and which factors are considered – including the needs of the selling (or buying) Club, the player’s personal desires, time left on the players’ contract etc. When asked about applicable ‘ceiling’ on player costs, MN confirmed that valuations forms part of the overall discussion regarding a player and the evaluation of said player against all relevant factors and relative prices within the wider market.”

“Supporter Groups questioned the involvement of NEDs within the transfer process. CMcK and MN confirmed that player trading above certain financial values require approval from the Celtic plc Board (with such approval thresholds are standard practice amongst businesses). Supporter Groups questioned how this approval was sought and CMcK confirmed board members would be emailed for final approval but would be aware of the background in advance.”

Brendan Rodgers during the Premier League match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers was clearly agitated about the lack of the quality additions he had asked for in order to make Celtic ready for and competitive in the Champions League this season, building on the decent campaign last season that ended for a change with heads held high after taking Bayern Munich all the way in their own stadium.

The Celtic manager was prepared to develop these players at Lennoxtown with hopefully some making it through to the first team in due course. But there was a more pressing concern of a Champions League qualifier and hopefully a campaign in European football’s premier competition to follow and Celtic had to bring in the quality additions to make it through and make an impact.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic reacts to missing an opportunity Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 August 2025. Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Instead the Celtic manager was left with a weakened squad and ultimately the club paid the £40m price.

No wonder Brendan Rodgers was frustrated, Michael. He had every right to be concerned about the lack of progress on signing key targets and remember both you and the manager knew that Daizen Maeda was leaving at the end of August. Having sold Kyogo and Nicolas Kuhn asking for some replacements is not too unreasonable surely?

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of David Potter’s outstanding final book Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed copy!

Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS you’ll also receive a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Also postage will only be charged on ONE book, not per item so if you are in Britain or the six counties you will pay £24.50 for both books – one side by Danny McGrain and that includes the postage costs for speedy delivery. As always the books are hardback and are of the highest quality.