Peter Lawwell's departure as Celtic chairman in January, driven by what he described as 'intolerable abuse' targeting his family, has left the club in disarray. The former chairman, who oversaw a trophy-laden era, was the steady hand that guided Celtic through turbulent times. Now, without him, the club appears to be lurching towards chaos.
Lawwell's Exit and Its Aftermath
Lawwell stepped down because the strain on his family became unbearable. However, his absence has exposed deep-rooted issues at Celtic Park. The club is not merely in need of someone to steady the ship; it requires a complete relaunch. The ship is currently in dry dock, awaiting repairs that have yet to begin.
The lack of a firm hand on the tiller is glaringly obvious as rivals gear up for the new season. Rangers, Motherwell, Hearts, and St Mirren have all appointed new permanent managers and signed numerous players. In contrast, Celtic has spent weeks haggling over coaching salaries for Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, eventually caving in just before pre-season training. This penny-pinching approach raises questions about transfer negotiations: if the club lowballs its own staff, what must it be like when dealing with other clubs?
Empty Promises and Inaction
At the last shareholders' AGM, Ross Desmond, son of principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, promised improvements in recruitment, data analytics, facilities, and stadium upgrades. Yet these pledges ring hollow when the club is reportedly trying to bring back Marcelo Sarrachi from Boca Juniors on loan rather than spending money.
The transfer window opened two weeks ago, and Celtic's only notable moves have been launching a new third kit and selling tickets for a friendly against Middlesbrough. Meanwhile, other Scottish Premiership clubs have been active in the market. This inertia suggests a club with no clear direction.
Chaos on the Horizon
According to Hugh Keevins, those who made Lawwell's life a personal hell should now see the error of their ways. He writes: 'Celtic don’t need someone to steady the ship. They need to launch the ship that is currently in the dry dock waiting for repair work to begin.' The absence of a strong leader has left Celtic drifting, and chaos, unless mistaken, is not far away.
