NEW BHOY McKAY READY FOR REVAMP
DOMINIC McKAY will be arriving at Celtic three months ahead of schedule, as CQN stated yesterday.
The announcement was made official at 8am today when the London Stock Market opened for business after the Easter Weekend break.
McKay, who will be leaving his role at the Scottish Rugby Union a week on Friday, had been due to take over from Peter Lawwell in the chief executive post on July 1.
However, with an urgent summer rebuild required, the move has been accelerated with the first order of business to rubberstamp the appointment of a new manager to replace Neil Lennon who departed Parkhead in February.
Former Bournemouth chief Eddie Howe is expected to be announced this week although there are indications he will not take charge of the team until June 1.
The end of the season will see the final chapter in influential skipper Scott Brown’s 14 years and 22 honours at the club. Recruitment gaffer Nick Hammond’s position will also need to be filled.
Replacements will be sought and there is an anticipated whirlwind of activity on the transfer front with Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer, Ryan Christie and Olivier Ntcham expected to leave. Others will follow such as loanees Mohamed Elyounoussi (Southampton), Shane Duffy (Brighton), Diego Laxalt (AC Milan) and Jonjoe Kenny (Everton) who will return to their parent clubs.
So far the only incomer is Sheffield Wednesday’s 20-year-old midfielder Liam Shaw who agreed a pre-contract in February.
A Celtic statement read: “Further to our announcement on January 29 confirming that Dom McKay will be joining Celtic FC as our new Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2021 following the retirement of Peter Lawwell on June 30, Scottish Rugby have confirmed today that their Chief Operating Officer and the Chairman of the Guinness Pro14, McKay, will be leaving Scottish Rugby on April 16 following a successful handover.
“Peter Lawwell continues in his role as Chief Executive Officer and board member until June 30. Dom will join the Club from April 19, working with Peter and the Executive team to ensure a smooth transition, until Dom takes on the role of Chief Executive Officer and board member on July 1.”
A post on the official Scottish Rugby Twitter read: “Scottish Rugby can confirm Chief Operating Officer & @PRO14Official Chairman @dom_mckay1 will leave the organisation on Fri 16 April. As previously announced Dom leaves to join @CelticFC, with Scottish Rugby’s best wishes for this new chapter in his career.”