This is what accountability looks like, Mr Nicholson

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·5. September 2025

This is what accountability looks like, Mr Nicholson

For a brief moment yesterday, it seemed as though Celtic’s famously silent CEO Michael Nicholson was about to break cover. A rumour, originating in the Daily Record, suggested Nicholson was preparing to give an interview to Sky Sports. The report was swiftly pulled, but not before the Record’s own Hotline podcast continued to fan the flames — seemingly out of the loop after Celtic briefed that there was no truth to the story.

Michael Nicholson at Celtic Park. Sunday 18 May 2025. Celtic v FC Women v Motherwell. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

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What is beyond dispute, however, is that Nicholson cannot remain in hiding forever. A groundswell of frustration, cutting across shareholders, supporter associations, ultras, and fan media, is demanding that the club’s leadership front up, take responsibility, and explain where Celtic are headed.

The first intervention came this week from the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs (ARCSC), a body representing branches not only across Scotland, Ireland, and England, but also in North America and beyond since 1986. Their statement was direct and damning – condemning the club’s lack of ambition, highlighting once again the failure to properly strengthen ahead of vital Champions League qualifiers, and echoing Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor’s frustrations about being underprepared for Europe.

The Affiliation placed the blame squarely on CEO Michael Nicholson, demanding accountability for repeated failures to learn the same lessons.

If that wasn’t enough, the Green Brigade, backed by almost 300 other organisations, podcasts, and fan media — including t

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)

he Celtic Star — issued their own list of demands. Prominent shareholders have also entered the fray, encouraging others to use little-known AGM mechanisms to challenge the board directly on strategy, governance, and ambition. Serious intent from a support that has lost faith in Celtic’s custodians.

The message is clear, from fans in the stands to investors in the boardroom, there is a shared frustration with the board’s lack of transparency, unwillingness to back the manager, and failure to modernise how the club is run.

Against this backdrop, the Sky Sports rumour looks not just false but unwise. Trust in that broadcaster remains broken among large sections of the Celtic support. Many never renewed their subscriptions after the infamous Alfredo Morelos interview in 2020, where Sky’s inaccurate subtitles wrongly accused Celtic supporters of racism. Sky was later forced into an embarrassing apology after a Spanish speaking Celtic Supporters Club, Celticalicante, published an accurate translation, while then-CEO Peter Lawwell escalated the matter to Ofcom.

A humble attempt to get the story across on Twitter. Thanks for the positive feedback, everyone.
– Montag, 3. Februar 2020

For many, that episode permanently damaged Sky’s credibility when it comes to Celtic. To use them now as the platform for Nicholson’s long-overdue public appearance would be tone-deaf at best.

If Nicholson truly wishes to rebuild trust, there is a far more authentic and transparent path available – face Celtic’s own fan media and invite other representatives of supporter organisations to attend and engage.

Unlike sections of the mainstream press, fan media has consistently treated the club with fairness and integrity, often eliciting more thoughtful and revealing answers in press conferences than traditional outlets.

Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay watch on during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

By holding a press conference with fan media present — prepared with a statement, willing to answer real questions from those who care most about Celtic — Nicholson could begin the process of repairing relations. Every supporter group and every e-mail deserve acknowledgement. Every concern raised by the ARCSC and the Green Brigade merits a direct response.

The mainstream media can be invited too, but the presence of fan media and supporter groups ensures accurate reporting and removes the risk of reputational sabotage as seen in 2020. And if Nicholson needs support, that is what the club’s PR department is for — to prepare him, guide him, and stand beside him.

It has now been four days since the transfer window closed, and Celtic stand weaker than last season. Another Champions League qualification exit, another gamble gone wrong, another opportunity squandered. Supporters are united, no mean feat, and their voices louder than ever. But patience is wearing thin.

Michael Nicholson can no longer hope that silence will suffice. A CEO with confidence in his own leadership — and with nothing to hide — should be able to sit down with his fellow supporters for 30 minutes of honest conversation.

That is what accountability looks like. And it is the least Celtic fans deserve.

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 officially published today Friday 5 September by Celtic Star Books. All pre-ordered copies have 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 today. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.