Well Michael, that won’t cut it anymore

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The Celtic Star

·12 octobre 2025

Well Michael, that won’t cut it anymore

Michael Nicholson dismissed suggestions that Celtic consistently approach European qualifiers without adequate preparation…

Celtic and Kairat Almaty line ups Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 August 2025. Photo Anikita Bassov Shutterstock

Celtic missed out on Champions League qualification this season after a penalty shootout defeat to Kazakhstan champions Kairat Almaty, having gone goalless over both legs and extra time — a setback many attributed to the club’s abysmal and unprepared summer transfer activity.

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Following supporter protests directed at the club’s hierarchy throughout September, members of the Celtic Fans Collective, along with other supporter groups, met with senior officials at Celtic Park on Monday, with CEO Michael Nicholson among those in attendance.

Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic talks with their players before being substituted on Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

One question put towards Nicholson at Monday’s meeting was: ‘How do you intend to modernise the Club’s structure to compete in Europe, and why are we consistently unprepared for qualification stages?’

As per Celtic FC’s minutes of the meeting, the club’s CEO responded: “MN stated that the Club did not accept the premise of the question. Further, MN noted that the Club had appointed Paul Tisdale as the Head of Football Operations, a new position for 7 the Club, last year, and had also created a new role of Professional Pathway Manager for Darren O’Dea. After Darren O’Dea left, the Club had appointed Shaun Maloney in this role.”

Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson sits in the directors box with Celtic s Chief Financial Officer Christopher McKay to his right. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

Nicholson further explained that the appointments of O’Dea and Tisdale were aimed at preventing the regular departure of promising young players to English clubs, aligning with Celtic’s broader long-term ‘strategy.’

It is yet more evidence of Nicholson and his fellow colleagues in the boardroom being detached from reality.

Fair enough if Kairat Almaty was the exception. But it’s just another in a long list of European qualifier humiliations.

And, it was largely down to the squad not being prepared due to a lack of quality additions. Not replacing key players.

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)

How Nicholson can defend the summer transfer window is a brass neck. The ‘don’t back down, double down’ mentality was on show on Monday night. No responsibility or accountability. Just keep doing more of the same. Well, unfortunately for Michael, that won’t cut it anymore.

Conor Spence

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

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

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