The club's chief executive paid a glowing tribute to Peter Lawwell after the chairman's blockbuster exit
18:29, 17 Dec 2025Updated 19:27, 18 Dec 2025
Michael Nicholson has warned detractors among the Celtic's support that the board's resolve has only been strengthened as he threw his weight behind Wilfried Nancy.
The club's chief executive paid a glowing tribute to Peter Lawwell after his blockbuster exit due to 'intolerable abuse and threats' amid furious fan protests as Brian Wilson steps in on an interim basis.
Nicholson has been left saddened by Lawwell's decision to leave his non-executive chairman role and revealed club officials were assaulted in the aftermath of Sunday's chastening Premier Sports Cup Final defeat to St Mirren – a loss which made it three consecutive defeats for Nancy since taking the reins.
The club supremo waxed lyrical about Lawwell and put angry fans on notice after the 66-year-old walked away from the club he loves.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Nicholson said: "I'm hugely disappointed. It's a sad day for Celtic. I think it's sad because one of our colleagues has felt the need to stand down from his role. Peter is a Celtic fan first and foremost. He's been a great colleague, a great leader for Celtic, both as chief executive and more recently as chairman, as we've enjoyed great success on and off the pitch.
"But it's a sad day for Celtic because of the reasons behind Peter's decision to stand down. I know it's a decision that weighed heavily on him. It's not an easy decision but I think he's made a decision for himself and for his family because of the abuses and because of the threats that they brought towards him.
"And those are behaviours that we've seen from perhaps a very small minority of the Celtic support, but those are behaviours that are completely unacceptable. We've most recently had a situation where three of our colleagues were assaulted at Celtic Park on Sunday night after the match.
"And as I say, these behaviours and conduct are completely unacceptable. For me, they're not Celtic. They're not values of Celtic supporters and Celtic family. And as a board, it strengthens our resolve to do the right thing for Celtic and to take this club forward together for the future.
"I look forward to working with Brian and the rest of the board to do that and I'm grateful to Brian for taking the role as interim chairman. From the board's perspective, we will look at the composition and succession for the board. And we'll look to take the club forward and to continue to support the operations on and off the pitch.
Nicholson then launched into a firm backing of Nancy and insists the club is solidly behind him and are already planning for the next two transfer windows under the Frenchman's watch despite him yet to notch a win.
He added: "Absolutely solid. As I said, it's not even two weeks ago when we spoke about Wilfried and his appointment. There's never any time to start at Celtic and it has been challenging. We've had some disappointing results, not least on Sunday.
"And in that respect, I understand that Celtic supporters are concerned about where we are. I understand and I respect the right of every supporter to express their discontent and to share that with us. But we know where we want to go. And step by step, all of our job is to support Wilfried, his team and the squad to take us where we want to get to. The starting point is now we've been working and met with Wilfried this week to discuss recruitment ahead of the January transfer window and also looking ahead to the summer transfer window because we know that we've got a project to support here.
"We're excited about where we're going to get to. That's going to take time both, as I say, day to day within the training environment, but also month to month, window to window. And then we know that when we get to that stage in the summer, hopefully having had success this season, we'll be looking ahead to next season with great optimism with Wilfried."
Wilson – speaking after his appointment – insists his time as Lawwell's successor will be short but he issued a plea to wearied fans to back the club to get it right.
He said: "Well, it's certainly something I didn't want in these circumstances. I don't expect in any circumstances. But, you know, I've been here a long time. I know Peter very well. I know what he's given to the club. I know what the club's achieved under him. And, you know, I think it's really sad that he's leaving with these pressures on him. And I think everyone has to reflect on that.
"But, you know, there's a history that people's achievements aren't appreciated until they're long gone. And hopefully within the fairly near future that the minority of Celtic supporters who don't appreciate what Peter Lawwell has given to Celtic will come to do so. Because he's given a huge degree of success, a huge degree of stability. And he's a major figure in the club's history. And I think that anyone who reflects on that will see far, far more positive than other may be mentioned today.
"Well, the word I really want to stress is interim. That, you know, these circumstances have arisen. I totally understand why Peter has taken the decision that he's taken. Therefore, there's a process of change. And I've been asked to fill that role. And as someone who's Celtic has been part of my life since the day I was born. So, you know, I'm going to accept that. I accept that it's going to come with its treasures.
"But I also want to get the message across that it is an interim role. And what we're trying to do is have a process of change. A process of moving on. And, you know, a refresh. And what we're going to have in any way is a strategic look at how we move on things. And hopefully the problems that everyone recognises have arisen in recent times that they can be addressed. One of the few benefits of advancing ages. You can remember times before which, you know, where Celtic were in tough corners. But it can feel and can feel stronger.
"And sometimes it took a lot longer than I hoped it did go into this time. But, you know, the immediate thing is that we win games and we have a successful season. It's not as successful as we wanted it to be when we started it. But it can still be a successful season. But that does depend on unity. It does depend on the supporters continuing to get behind the team.
"Because our objective this season is to win the league, to win the Scottish Cup, to do well in Europe. And all of that is perfectly feasible. But we'll only do it if we're united. And, you know, surely that is possible. Surely that's what 99 per cent of Celtic supporters want. Just give us a chance to do this and to do it properly. To have transition. To have a refreshment of the approach. To recognise where there's weaknesses. To build strength. And to go forward together. Well, that's just one thing even to do together."