For decades, players and managers have dropped their usual discretion when speaking to media in foreign lands. They seem to forget the impact their words will have back home. For example, there is no chance Daizen Maeda would be drawn on his Celtic contract when speaking to the Scottish media.
Celtic have been trying to get him to sign a new contract for the best part of a year without success. This will continue until the player either agrees or an acceptable offer is received. The experience of Kyogo in France may inhibit Daizen’s wanderlust, but it is unlikely to wholly dampen his appetite for a fresh challenge. Does anyone seriously expect him to sign another contract?
Daizen is a better player now than he was when he arrived for a pittance in January 2022. Retaining a player of his calibre for four years is on the upside of expectations. We should always be ready for the inevitable churn.
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Saint Stivs 5.511
“To build a democratic and representative fan body
Like this?
https://thecelticstar.com/membership-scheme-is-the-way-forward-for-celtic-support/
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 11th September 2025 10:08 pm
https://youtu.be/V7NlFWh7Sz8?si=dxDyi75wYDrEZU2g
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CEhmoEJT2WktRzIn5PdIz?si=NEzDgZQUQLSauh3vwB62pA
A week now from The Sun doing a hit job on Brendan and club insiders accused him of tearing the club a part.
Still no response from Nicholson who appears powerless and clueless.
Brendan will have his opportunity today to put Chairman insider back in his box.
If Nicholson won’t defend the public reputation of his manager then it seems. Brendan has to. I’d love for him to call on the coward to go public.
Good morning all.
I can understand why folk would want Michael Nicholson papped out the door, he being the chief buck stopper at a time when the buck badly needs stopping.
I can understand why folk would want Peter Lawwell gone, he carrying a lot of baggage from his (long) time as CEO, although as a non-exec he ought to have no responsibility for recent executive mistakes.
But I don’t understand why folk want Chris McKay fired. He counts the beans, he doesn’t decide what to do with them.
I reckon Tom Allison and Brian Wilson as the senior non-execs need a good looking at. In a functioning board, the purpose of these guys is to supervise executive performance, hold the executive to account and act in the best interests of the shareholders as a whole.
Seems to me that there’s no effective supervision, that the executive is subordinated to the preferences of a single minority shareholder, and that the interests of the minority shareholder outweigh those of the majority.
Further, we might note that the minority shareholder in question (Dermot Desmond) appears to act in an executive capacity despite being non-exec, and repeatedly avoids being held accountable to/by the shareholders for his decisions.
Thus, things appear to be good when those/his decisions are effective, but the edifice falls apart when the decisions are ineffective or counterproductive, as recently.
This is a serious failure of governance, the responsibility for which lies squarely with the remaining non-execs, of which Tom Allison and Brian Wilson (and now Peter Lawwell) are most senior.
Firing Michael Nicholson is probably justified on performance issues alone, but his replacement can be no more effective while the governance structure remains broken.
‘Sack the Board’ is by no means an irrational response.
I can understand why folk would want Peter Lawwell gone, he carrying a lot of baggage from his (long) time as CEO, although as a non-exec he ought to have no responsibility for recent executive mistakes.
HHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMM
I can’t understand why we are self destructing when in a position of dominance. The board are not the only ones underperforming. Can’t wait until the fitba starts.
Great essay TBB 👏👏👏
====≈=====
Please sign this petition to get the perpetrators of genocide kicked out of football
https://action.wemove.eu/sign/2025-09-israelfootballban-petition-EN/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=akmail-14372&utm_campaign=20250911_EN&t=8&akid=14372%2E1941433%2EB-cKW-
HH
Auldheid from last night. It couldn’t possibly have been Kev he doesn’t leave his house never mind Blanturr.
TAURANGABHOY does that post mean you’re a hun? I thought only those with blind faith were true tims?
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 12TH SEPTEMBER 2025 9:08 AM
If you’re appointed Celtic CEO on a £1 million a year contract, you probably won’t follow the example of the last CEO that got sacked.
Yes Desmond will still have his influence but a CEO with more independence and to be frank, with more talent than Nicholson, won’t be a lap dog for anyone.
TBB excellent post @ 9:08. The non execs are completely useless ,there is no oversight. Wilson is too busy hating the Celtic support to do his job.
An T
signed
Saint Stivs, I don’t often agree with you but your posts with regard to the board last night were excellent. The posters who continue to request clarification about why some of us no longer have faith in the way the club is being run are either at it or not worth the time. You have more patience than me.
LAXALT on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2025 9:04 PM
The word from inside Celtic is apparently
….that Roger Hannah spoke to a social friend of a board member.
Hannah, whilst not inaccurate, had no right to call him a ‘Celtic insider’.
Still embarrassing though
……………………..
The disinformation campaign begins.
Karrect
Assume Kilmarnock supporters will be demonstrating before the game , imagine .. brought in more than £1m and never spent a single penny!!
Pathetic !
LAXALT on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2025 9:04 PM
The word from inside Celtic is apparently
….that Roger Hannah spoke to a social friend of a board member.
Hannah, whilst not inaccurate, had no right to call him a ‘Celtic insider’.
—-
Commonly referred to as a ‘controlled leak’ or using a ‘cut out’ to deliver messages.
Or in less formal language, simply, releasing a squirrel.
I don’t want this directly traced back to me so I’ll tell my mate and he’ll go the sun.
The actions of a coward.
Taurangabhoy @ 9:43 am,
Surely you are missing the point with that whataboutery.
Brendan Rodgers is accountable and explains his decisions and actions normally once or twice a week.
Brendan Rodgers was doing his job with one hand tied behind his back, in 2025 it was two hands tied behind his back.
If the Board don’t think he should be in the job they can say so.
If the Board don’t think he should be doing the job they can sack him.
This is how they actually function…
BREXIT Celtic insiders fear Brendan Rodgers is trying to ‘engineer his way out’ amid split with board over summer transfers
There are concerns within the club that the Hoops boss could walk away before the end of his contract.
Roger Hannah, Head of Sport
Published: 22:30, 5 Sep 2025
Updated: 22:46, 5 Sep 2025
‘Entitled’ Rodgers has overplayed his hand over Celtic transfer chaos…
CELTIC insiders believe boss Brendan Rodgers wants out of Parkhead after a split over summer signings.
SunSport understands senior figures at the club are concerned he’s trying to “engineer his exit”.
Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of the fact he isn’t a happy man
Rodgers’ remarks on Celts’ work in the transfer window have not gone down well with the Hoops hierarchy.
Earlier in the window, he urged the club to “show ambition” in the transfer market.
He also said there needed to be a major inquest after their Champions League exit to Kairat Almaty.
Rodgers was left without a replacement striker for Adam Idah after he left to join Swansea on transfer deadline day, before a last-minute raid on the free agent market saw Kelechi Iheanacho brought in.
Now some insiders believe it’s reached a critical point — and the gaffer could go before the end of his three-year deal.
One source told SunSport: “Senior figures inside the club believe Rodgers is engineering his exit.
“What he’s said in public has torn the club apart. On and off the record discussions are creating division throughout the club.
“He’s the only manager in the club’s history who has repeatedly questioned things.
When Brendan came back, he agreed to the club’s strategy.
“There are now people inside the club who are deeply unhappy with his words.
“To make matters worse, these issues appear to be seeping into the performance of the team. It’s like Groundhog Day again.”
When Rodgers returned to Parkhead two years ago, he vowed to stay for the duration of his deal.
But some insiders feel the division could see the 52-year-old leave before the end of the current campaign.
Celts have forked out huge sums on transfer fees and presided over a significant increase in the wage bill since Rodgers’ return.”
Our football “department”, formally known as Celtic Football & Athletic Co. Ltd. Including our manager, coaches, staff and players, deserve a chance to work under quality bosses, with proper investment and solid support.
Then, we can see if they are able to deliver.
Hail Hail
!!BADA BING!! on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2025 9:11 PM
Laxalt- aaaaa only took 5 days for someone to come up with that nonsense, the ship has sailed….did the Club come out and criticise the article or ban Hannah? No…
…………………….
The Blog is a very interesting read today. There’s a full court press in full flow by the Board sympathisers. I note that Laxalt has appeared within the last week or so and has been ramping it up daily. Laughing at his ‘insider’ Board news.
This also leapt off the page:
“I’ve said this before….do a poll on real supporters…
Has Peter Lawwell been good for Celtic yes or no?
Ill bet its mostly positive.”
Do a poll on real supporters. There you go. If you are one of those uppity malcontents you are not a real supporter. Real supporters are men who stand four square behind Peter Lawwell.
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2025 9:08 PM
“To build on the recent ‘no confidence’ votes on the Celtic FC board, seeking the removal of Michael Nicholson, CEO, Chris McKay, CFO, Peter Lawwell, chairman”
———-
Genuine,intentionally separate, questions to those leading this initiative ….
1. Specifically, why do you want Michael Nicholson removed?
2. Specifically, why do you want Chris McKay removed?
3. Specifically, why do you want Peter Lawwell removed?
4. Who do you want to replace Michael Nicholson?
5. Who do you want to replace Chris McKay?
6. Who do you want to replace Peter Lawwell?
……………….
A sensible post that asks very important questions. I feel Wuestions 4, 5 and 6 might be more difficult to answer at the moment than the first three.
Back to Basics. Here’s your answer to Questions 1,2 and 3.
“ THE HAND OF GOD on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2025 9:14 PM
We lost a champions league qualifier to a team rated 311th in Europe , we sold our star striker in January and didn’t replace him , we sold our star winger as soon as the transfer window opened and didn’t replace him ( for the qualifier) then we sold our 2nd choice striker and didn’t replace him until after the window with a free agent gamble (hope it works).Celtic were aware a champions league qualifier had to be negotiated this season and manage to dismantle a crucial part of our team ( I’m aware Idah “played”) , absolutely shocking lack of planning.I believe the fans who are protesting are correct , this board show zero ambition as regards European football.When was the last time Celtic had a net spend in a transfer window?”
Who would you sign to play upfront ?
Who would you appoint as manager ?
Who would you want as CEO ?
The Club is suppose to have processes for recruitment. It doesn’t fall on fans.
When someone is clearly failing in their job, calling for their replacement does not bestow the responsibility of recruitment.
If Celtic can’t get a talented CEO in the door then we’re even more shambolic than I feared.
…..interesting
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 12TH SEPTEMBER 2025 10:43 AM
Back to Basics. Here’s your answer to Questions 1,2 and 3.
“ THE HAND OF GOD on 11TH SEPTEMBER 2025 9:14 PM
We lost a champions league qualifier to a team rated 311th in Europe , we sold our star striker in January and didn’t replace him , we sold our star winger as soon as the transfer window opened and didn’t replace him ( for the qualifier) then we sold our 2nd choice striker and didn’t replace him until after the window with a free agent gamble (hope it works
—
In addition we blocked moves away for players that wanted away because we didn’t have replacements.
Then a board member decided to use his buddy to publicly undermine the manager.
Then we released a faceless statement which managed to insult almost every Celtic supporter.
An Dún on 12th September 2025 10:51 am
“In addition we blocked moves away for players that wanted away because we didn’t have replacements.”
Not uncommon; players have to expect that contracts are to be honoured unless all parties are happy to end them.
Hopefully we reward him with an increase, add a year then add a buy out clause/date to suit all. Not ideal but the alternative did not bear thinking about with Jota injured.
“Then a board member decided to use his buddy to publicly undermine the manager.”
Allegedly. Any journo can write anything from “an insider” to stir the pot. Unless someone is named or defamed then the club can do little/nothing and an “insider” expressing their opinion, or relaying what they believe to be someone’s opinion is vague enough to be safe.
Quadbhoy
the club can do little/nothing and an “insider” expressing their opinion, or relaying what they believe to be someone’s opinion is vague enough to be safe.
—-
I mean, seriously ?
How about the club release a statement making clear that the allegations levelled against Brendan are not the views of the board and that the board view Brendan as man of character ? How about that ?
QuadBhoy on 12th September 2025 11:00 am
“Allegedly. Any journo can write anything from “an insider” to stir the pot. Unless someone is named or defamed then the club can do little/nothing and an “insider” expressing their opinion, or relaying what they believe to be someone’s opinion is vague enough to be safe.”
One would think that the club would be appalled that had been written about their employee and immediately as for a retraction or ask who it was that gave them this information, and if it’s another employee take the appropriate action, por cierto
BR should ask Hunnah to explain who the insider is …..or fck up.
The leak, followed by the complete lack of public support towards Brendan, was in my view, an attempt to get him to walk.
An Dún on 12th September 2025 11:08 am
“How about the club release a statement making clear that the allegations levelled against Brendan are not the views of the board and that the board view Brendan as man of character ? How about that ?”
Por Cierto on 12th September 2025 11:09 am
“One would think that the club would be appalled that had been written about their employee and immediately as for a retraction or ask who it was that gave them this information, and if it’s another employee take the appropriate action, por cierto”
They have a long held policy of not commented on press. Not one I agree with. I wouldn’t want us to go as far as sevco but there is a happy medium to these things.
It is also entirely possible that this is the view of one of more board members, or other club employees but that it was not a strategic leak but to deny it then would be a lie and against policy. They’d be slammed for denying it anyway. They seem to have went radio silent even on Stein/new merch as they know anything they post atm is getting abusive replies.
DamnedIfYouDoOrDon’tCSC
An Dún on 12th September 2025 11:15 am
“The leak, followed by the complete lack of public support towards Brendan, was in my view, an attempt to get him to walk.”
Even if some of the board do not like BR as a person, or cannot work effectively and aligned longer term with him I think even those at the club probably realise that he is still likely the best bet for winning the league this year. Not sure who else would be available and could come in and change things in time?
Unless you believe the board want to throw away a league and lose money (against their legally enforceable responsibilities) then I am not sure they want him to walk?
Will catch reply (if any) later – away for some pool.
QUADBHOY on 12TH SEPTEMBER 2025 11:22 AM
The club have in the past banned journalists and entire media outlets for stories they printed.
Only a week ago they criticised the media via a 1000 word statement.
But we’ve a policy of not reacting to press stories? 😂
QuadBhoy
The club should back their manager in the face of the Sun story. They should also ban Roger Hannah and the Sun from Celtic Park for printing lies but we all know they won’t because they are culpable and you are being disingenuous.
An Dún on 12th September 2025 11:30 am
🎯🎯🎯
An Dún on 12th September 2025 11:30 am
“The club have in the past banned journalists and entire media outlets for stories they printed.
Only a week ago they criticised the media via a 1000 word statement.”
To clarify; few and far between – very very low percentage merit a reply; high threshold for responding.
I did genuinely miss the one last week – can you share a link?
The article (which I finally read today as someone posted it above) is a bit meh for me; not one I would waste time with. Typical journo putting 2 and 2 together (or reading a post on a blog from someone who is not a big fan of BR) then stirring the pot.
I’ve read worse from our own fan blogs towards individuals at the club and they have said hee haw. Indeed I’ve read far worse on PhilMac towards sevco which EVEN THEY – who love a statement! – often don’t respond to as its written carefully enough.
Right, really aff oot now.
Hail hail.
Lets enter the stadium 10 minutes after kick off will achieve what?
Will you all be wearing crabbit Khun face masks?
The plc will rightly be too busy rolling on the floor laughing their asses off at such ineptitude.
From the working class Jungle, to the all seated university snowflake degrees coming oot their ears era, and thur snobby in the wrong movie era of Celtic-ness.
From, the best fans in the world, to the biggest suckers ever in suckersville.
The chaos has been cooking in the background since the boards asses fell off during the 2012 collapse of Scottish football, still keeping their powder dry.
From Lisbon to Craiglang. The destruction of Timdom is complete.