The real story of Celtic in Scottish football in recent decades will never be written, hidden in a fog of “You can’t use that”, the most-spoken words in the game. Suffice to say, Peter Lawwell carried responsibility for successes and failures for most of that period, 18 years when he was liable for them, three when he was not.
Let’s break that rule for one matter. In October 2011 he learned Rangers, then under the control of Craig Whyte, were planning to present a take-it-or-leave-it option to the Scottish Premier League and SFA. Mired in debt with three HMRC claims against them, they wanted to liquidate, phoenix and have Newco Rangers complete Oldco’s fixtures. They were 10 points clear at the top of the table and the plan would have left them debt-free, with a points penalty but able to sign players in January.
When the story broke the following February, some in the media, administrators and some clubs presented the issue as a question of survival or extinction for Scottish football. “It will invalidate the TV deal”, “No one will come if there is no contest”, we were told.
I heard from Peter before I wrote this article on 27 October 2011 on the prepack route for Rangers Newco FC. He started the campaign, saying “We need to stop this. Get fans and other clubs involved.” He believed Celtic, having lived within their means while watching Rangers carry-off the previous three league titles, would never recover if Newco Rangers were able to phoenix and carry on as though nothing had happened. He knew it would have killed Celtic and worked to make sure it did not happen.
He called campaigning on the subject almost every day until the SPL vote in July 2012, when 10 voted against inviting Newco into the Premier League, with Kilmarnock abstaining and Rangers voting to permit Newco. A friend recently said “We’ve been lucky to win so many trophies with Rangers [sic.} nowhere.” Luck had nothing to it. This was a battle of existence, a battle for trophies and domination of Scottish football for years to come. The unprecedented haul which followed was a consequence of Lawwell’s decisions and ability to lobby other clubs. Craig Whyte had no idea what he was taking on.
In the club statement announcing his departure last week, Dermot Desmond wrote, “During Peter’s tenure, Celtic found a strong voice in Scottish football”. It cannot be over-stated how antagonistic much of Scottish football was to Celtic 21 years ago, or the change he effected during this time. Clubs did not necessarily like Celtic (or Peter), but they listened. Changes happened at the SFA and among match officials which were unthinkable in earlier times.
He left citing alarm for his family. Four years ago his home was subject to an arson attack, which thankfully damaged only property. Nine days after the attack, Eddie Howe declined to come to Celtic, as a toxic cloud rose about the club. I was surprised when he agreed to step back as chair in 2022. Celtic assessed that influence was needed, specifically at Uefa, on the proposed Financial Sustainability Regulations, which he substantially co-wrote.
This helped keep a lid on irresponsible spending in Scottish football but brought him attention he was no longer due. The biggest name attracted most angst, at a time when Lawwell had no controls over the club. Of the mistakes he will admit to making, coming back as chair will surely be the first.
He remains a very private man who came from the most working class, of working class, Glasgow environments, and who reached heights usually scaled by those with a leg-up in life. His key acquired benefit was a work ethic from a mother, the original formidale Lawwell, who held multiple jobs to support her family. Kids his age were allowed on the supporters’ bus for free. “Can I get a lift over, mister” was his ticket to a lifetime’s devotion to Celtic.
In the club’s statement, Lawwell and Desmond both refer to the 38 trophies won during his period at the club as one of “domestic dominance”. It was a generation and more of domination, and was the work of another formidable operator.
Running Celtic is probably now close to an impossible job. Few of the calibre to get the top job would want it with its unyielding abuse. We will likely pass from an time of Celtic fans in executive roles, to being another step on the football exec train.
The last few weeks have been tumultuous, to say the least. The sheer relief around the stadium on Sunday at some respite was palpable. We will find soon enough if a new seam of success has opened up for Celtic. Until then, remember those who gave you Celtic and what we can achieve with the sense of community that saw the club through enormous challenges. Take care and have a happy and restful Christmas.
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I met Peter a couple of times throughout his years.
We disagreed on whether Celtic needed a Rangers.
His Tim credentials were never in doubt.
I liked & respected him .
From my viewpoint he was CEO for too long and his influence became too much on the football side of Celtic.
Power isn’t always your friend.
I thought he came back as chairman to oversee the child abuse cases, which is understandable.
As much as I support the aims of the collective, I wholeheartedly disagree with the personal abuse and threats. It’s Hun like.
After all , it’s Dermot Desmond who calls all the shots.
I wish Pedro well for the future.
Good wee write up BSR.
Paul67 et al
Peter Lawwell was CEO of Celtic FC when their major rivals (RFC 1872) went into both administration and liquidation. He was Chairman of CFC when Rangers FC (1872) were finally liquidated on October 17 2024. As in the formal dissolution of Rangers FC as was. That happened under his watch despite the support of the Bank of Scotland (but not Lloyds BanK) the SMSM (with notable exceptions) MIH, the SPL, the SFA, Ike Salmond and Pa Broon. We do not need the historians to tell us that, we know it.
Goodbye to all that
The Battered Bunnet on 24th December 2025 12:37 pm
I am not sure we have shared a pint – perhaps one day
But we do share the same opinion of Rubicon – once known to me as Seldom Seen
You are pushing a open door with regards the Big Chair
I can think of no better Celtic Supporter with the experience and credentials to fix our current predicament and take us to the next level.
BTW P67 talks of PL “coming from the most working class of working class environments”
Our man came from a block of flats in the square
Have a very Merry Christmas
67ECW
TBB earlier.
Good post, IMHO, on the 42nd club debate.
Particularly your last sentence.
A myth grew up around Peter Lawwell … and a widely held myth …
… That he had unfettered control of all things Scottish football, that his was “the unseen hand” directing everything.
It was, of course, complete bollocks.
Does anybody know, exactly , how our injury list is with Jota, AJ and CCV and more importantly, when will they be fit for a return to first team action please
Off subject, but spare a thought for those less fortunate than ourselves this Yuletide
king LUBO
Posted by awe naw on S.C.
https://x.com/Fras1967/status/2003096180738195689
KL Jota injured late April 9mths to 12 mnths for an ACL if no other issues
AJ ruptured hamstring surgery maybe March if no other issues
CCV unlikely to see him this season
CO ruptured hamstring worse than AJ according to MONdont look for him this season.
BB
Outstanding
BSR, a wee edit if I may: “Reo Hatate struggled at Tannadice and was rested, as he will be crucial in the coming weeks as we look to raise funds to back the manager in the transfer market.”
There 😂
PETERLATCHFORDSBELLY
Aye. It’s the same Peter, por cierto.
Basically forget about most of the long term injured, for this season. AJ will be desperate to get back and fully fit for the WC. Same for Sarrachi, who I hope will be back first. I think he’d be very good as wingback. I know we’ve been complaining about being open defensively, but depending who we are playing, we could have a good defensive look, with Trusty,Scales & Murray and KT & Donovan as wingbacks. Maybe for Bologna.
Celtic Mac on 24th December 2025 2:02 pm
auldheid
Pray tell who was in the room when the 5WA (final version) was presented for agreement by the 5 Party (s) ?
I could tell who wasn’t in the room if you are interested.
++++++++++++++++
Depends what you mean by in the room. I bet PL wasn’t .
However a copy of the 5WA was sent to him separately by Neil Doncaster as well as to the SPFL Directors. PL was not Celtic’s man on the SPFL Board, that was Eric Riley.
The question put to him at the AGM was had he seen it had anyone at Celtic involved in it. He answered the first with a no but the follow up was never answered.
In any case it stretches credulity way past breaking point to think PL was totally in the dark as The 5WA was developed, that Eric Riley did not give him any updates unless to provide plausible deniability.
However if you read the full Doncaster letter it did not preclude any investigation into Rangers, in fact it asked for early acceptance by not objecting by 10am next day in order for SPL to begin the what was the LNS Commission.
Celtic had the opportunity to appeal the LNS Decision but Eric Riley was absent when the decision of no sporting advantage was discussed. Its all there in black and white.
I really don’t want to drag it up.
My point is PL has a defence he could make for Celtic not objecting to the 5WA but I doubt it would change minds.
Rubicon? por cierto.
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 24th December 2025 3:08 pm
TBB earlier.
Good post, IMHO, on the 42nd club debate.
Particularly your last sentence.
A myth grew up around Peter Lawwell … and a widely held myth …
… That he had unfettered control of all things Scottish football, that his was “the unseen hand” directing everything.
It was, of course, complete bollocks.
============
It is the belief that PL is William Wallace and can fart fireballs out his arse that prevents an understanding of the full context he had to operate under which is Scottish football is based on misperceptions, in some cases lies.
BSR
So to Livingstone I presume.
=====================
You have wasted a career in the Civil Service. :)
Bognorbhoy @ 3:20pm
Great share. Respect
My cousin sent this to me last night.
Was close to shedding a tear when Jock appeared.
The Battered Bunnet on 24th December 2025 12:37 pm
TL:DR
There has been no attempt to engender consensus, the club’s leadership is confrontational and relatedly, we seem to have canned the PR department and now permit everyone to write their own briefings to no good effect. PL’s own statement recently being a case in point. The club is riddled with bad vibes.
==========================
Do you think DD, PL and all Celtic executives might have been better off just singing this to the support?
https://youtu.be/Y0pdQU87dc8?si=W2Vdi31IXILpTgq5
and the support sing it back with a wee conductor between wondering why the disharmony?
” Tom McLaughlin on 24th December 2025 12:18 pm
Great tribute Paul.
Peter Lawwell deserves enormous credit for his time at Celtic.”
So, so true yet many jump on the band-wagon of the uninformed to criticise a fantastic Celtic man.
Maybe I missed it on the news but was the fire at PL’s house ever attributed to a disgruntled Celtic or Rangers fan? I understood that other houses and cars in the same area had also been targeted.
Disgraceful and shocking as the whole thing was, I cannot see why it keeps getting associated with PL’s decision to retire and recent events at the club.
Ah Paul Brennan. The Nadine Dorries to Lawwells’ Boris Johnson. Finally wiped those tears away to write this tripe. Where to start???
If Lawwell was so active in preventing Newco being parachuted into the Scottish Premiership, why was it left to Dundee United, then Hearts and Aberdeen to say so publicly?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18539483
41 out of 42 clubs in Scotland live within their means in this country, yet one was allowed to rack up huge losses year after year, culminating in them winning a league title in 20/21. If Lawwell was so influential in the FSR reform of UEFA’s FFP (that was brought in around 2010 long before Lawwell made his way to the ECA), why did he not seek to introduce FFP to Scotland?
Lawwell’s legacy is:
– The luckiest CEO in history. His only domestic rivals were liquidated whilst they were going for their 4th title in a row, thus presenting the guarantee of a league championship for 5 seasons, in reality 7. When measured against our European contemporaries, he was a complete failure. Why? Because his policy, championed on here and continued through his puppet, the spineless Michael Nicholson, breaks one simple old adage: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. And by god did we fail to prepare, under multiple managers, for all 7 out of 9 Champions League qualifying failures against teams, many of whom have a fraction of our budget, because Lawwell know better. He thinks he’s gonna get bargains on deadline day, the ‘formidable operator’ coming out on top… yet we continually find ourselves in the worst place a team can be at the end of the window; cash-rich and desperate. This season alone, we tried to sign Dolberg for £8m, which would have taken our spending to approx £18m AFTER we’ve been papped out of the Champions League qualifiers. Gross incompetence from the boardroom that has once again cost this club tens of millions of pounds. And they and they alone are to blame. Just like when we had Bitton at centre half, McGregor at left back or Forrest as the lone striker. They sold our number one striker in January, before our biggest game in 12 years and replaced him with no one. Can’t keep an unhappy player? Well we did that just 8 months later with Maeda. They sold Kuhn in mid-July and replaced him with.. no one. Knowing full well Jota was out for most of the season. It seems the chat from your host that Johnny Kenny and Yang were future Ballon d’Or winners and would have fired us into the Champions League if only the manager would develop them has died down. I wonder why that is. And then they release a tone deaf statement, in a season of tone deaf statements, blaming FSR and subsequently European tax laws for their incompetence. You could attribute FSR as a valid excuse, as Auldheid on here seems determined to do, but you would have to ignore the decade plus of the same people making the same mistakes when there was no FSR to consider and in the last few years when the board have hoarded cash when they could spent more, much more, front loading contracts if need be, whilst the FSR limits were high. Apparently, we had inside knowledge, so a competent board would have been proactive.
-Out of those 38 trophies, 11 of them came under Brendan Rodgers, who Lawwell allowed a non-executive director to use the official club website to launch a bitter, spiteful, highly unprofessional rant at the former manager. Brendan Rodgers came from a working class Celtic supporting background as well, so why is that not presented in mitigation of his mistakes??
– Lawwell completely neglected his duties as chair of an AGM to dismiss a motion from Jeanette Findlay of the Celtic Trust to bypass the Celtic board’s propaganda video so they could be held to account by shareholders’ questions. Anyone here think Jeanette Findlay isn’t from a working class background? And yet Lawwell treated her with the same utter contempt he shows for the entire support.
-Do you know who definitely didn’t come from a working class background? The born-with-a-silver-spoon-in-his-mouth son of a non-executive director, who Lawwell allowed to launch into a pre-prepared tirade -deliberately designed to be inflammatory- against the club’s support, despite having no business whatsoever in being at that table.
He leaves Celtic as, in your own words Paul, “the laughing stock of the football world”. Your tears for him are not found anywhere else in the Celtic world. He is the chief contributor to the toxic atmosphere he leaves behind as a result of treating the support with nothing but contempt, right up until and including his resignation statement. His removal is the first step in the healing process.
“We will likely pass from an time of Celtic fans in executive roles, to being another step on the football exec train.”
One can only hope that the jobs for the boys/family members era is over, and that in the next one, we seek out the very best people in their fields that we can afford.
Merry Xmas
Boak inducing pish.
Such a pity those consumed by bitterness, hate and spite couldn’t take the day off on Christmas Eve.
Hopefully tomorrow brings you some respite for a day at least. Even Scrooge managed that.
Wishing Paul67 and everyone who cares about Celtic a very happy Christmas.
Reggie- post more often
Reggie
Great post
But we do share the same opinion of Rubicon – once known to me as Seldom Seen
You are pushing a open door with regards the Big Chair
I can think of no better Celtic Supporter with the experience and credentials to fix our current predicament and take us to the next level.
==============
who is he ?
and is he not to be crossed ?
In the bad old days of the 60s and 70s my father stated that there were 2 type of supporters Celtic supporters and non Celtic supporters.
The bowling club blazers and their funny handshakes were in control of all facets of Scottish football
I spoke with Peter Lawwell and asked him what support Celtic had in SPL. He said only ICT regularly backed Celtic with support from Kilmarnock when it was financial matters. The financially most successful club had little support.
He set about trying to change this
At the same time we had an anti Celtic MSM, hostile in manner and he tried to make headway on this front.
When Posters say Celtic “demand” this or that, Celtic had one vote and hostile clubs and MSM and by relentless arguments we managed to see Sevco pushed back.
We are in a much healthier place thanks to Peter Lawwell
“Try to discover who I am from my choice of words and colors, as attentive people like yourselves might examine footprints to catch a thief. — Orhan Pamuk
“Wasn’t in the room” 😁
Peter L is just another self-serving exc who put his wages above all else. He was not the driving force behind sevco having to drop down the leagues that was the raith rovers chiarman. Linking the fire bombing at his home to the toxic celtic atmosphere and the reason eddie h, said no thanks to the job is reaching.
Rangers title via chesting was uncontested by Peter L, should never have happened. I am not saying he was all bad, but he waa not all good. Ironically it was david murray’s folly that led to the downfall of sevco and the increased collection of silver at celtic park.
His ‘be quiet’ at the agm and the final attack on celtic supporters on the way out the door tells you he has long forgot his old arse. The working class boy has been fully replaced by a rich old man.
Kids getting assualtef by stewards at celtic park whilst he moans abojt a bit of verbal sums up his transision into ‘theming’ us, the celtic supporters
HH
For the first quarter of this century, Celtic has been – far and away – Scotland’s most dominant club. These years coincide with the period when Peter Lawell has had most influence on the direction of Celtic. I don’t know the man at all but I’m reluctant to believe this is purely coincidence.
Like many on here I felt the disappointment of the Kairat debacle. Sure, we lost out on the UCL and the Board must share in the blame. But professional football is, and should always be, a sport with jeopardy. You can’t win them all. Saying that, I’m old enough to remember winning nothing at all until 1965.
Watching the YouTube video of the AGM, I thought that there may be more brainless ways of making a point but those A2 size red cards and the chants have got to be right up there. Likewise the public celebration of coarseness which goes in tandem with demands for individuals to GTF should have no place at CP.
Some very decent people I know identify PL as some kind of villain. But, when asked to specify instances of his malevolence they invariably fall short on evidence. Celtic’s pre-eminence in Scotland for a quarter of a century is not despite Peter Lawell: it’s in large part due to him.
Meri Kirihimete from a sunny NZ Paul67 and family, and all CQN and whanau who grace these pages. Have a cracker.
Reggie
You could attribute FSR as a valid excuse, as Auldheid on here seems determined to do,
========
I cannot help it if you think I am portraying FSR as a valid excuse.
If you take the time to read what I said with an open mind then I was explaining how FSR works and how it sets a ceiling on what Celtic can spend ever year, depending on football earnings of the previous year.
That is not an excuse, it is statement of fact and facts are chiels that winnae ding.
You are not alone in taking it as an excuse but that is down to you and those that do.
When I first read FSR I thought it would be game changer, as in providing the support with a better idea of what Celtic could spend on players and that there was now a set limit.
I did not factor in that some or many of the support could not be arsed making the same effort I did to try and understand what FSR meant.
As regards FFP. It was UEFA’s first step at bringing in a form of financial control that ALL clubs competing in Europe would agree to. PL would be one voice amongst many man more.
However by 2020 it became clear FFP was not having the desired wage control effect to create sustainability and by then there was a greater appetite amongst clubs to do so.
Also by then UEFA had enough evidence presented to them of how FFP was not working, the long Res12 lawyers letter of 2016 would have told them that FFP based on trust with tick box was not up to the job and Celtic knowing what was really going on Scotland had a case to make.
This was part of an undertaking given to Res12 shareholders at the 2020 AGM to take over responsibility follow up on the SFA decision to abandon the Tribunal they set up to investigate the 2011 fraudulent CL Licence application in May 2020.
All this detail is not widely known but I was in the room either metaphorically or physically and set up an archive of events to put that detail on record.
I could provide a link but the turkey would be burnt by anyone who began to read it.
keith lasley for ceo .
sterling job at saints while studying for an emba in sports business
Is that a suggestion and is there a vacancy? I thought DD was going for the Irish female whose name i’ve forgotton who left Leicester.
listened to the celtic exchange today.
the narrative is they were bored watching brendans football even when scoring lots of goals and winning trophies it was just risk adverse and possession based
yawn inducing.
meanwhile wilf is to be given a chance because in every game the team makes more and more chances …. describes as high risk high reward jepardy football which is exciting and should be enough to dominate in Scotland.
i despair of going into europe with 3 at the back.
we couldnt defend with 4.
Transfer fees paid and received, how are they verified under FSR?
They say Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas……
But there are more than a few on here who would vote for a Celtic supporter-free Board…
Mmmm
67 Big Cup W
Ref Rubicon
Interesting idea.
Can’t imagine in a million years he would want to do it.
Although looking at the ill informed / ignorant pish from some on here I can’t really understand who that would be qualified and capable that would want to do it. ESP if this level of bitterness exists amongst our own so called fanbase.
Funny how the folk who display such resentment are often folk who have never actually achieved Anything in their own sad little lives.