After Sunday’s win over Motherwell, that’s six points Celtic have added in three league games this season with winners coming from the 87th minute or later. Luke McCowan’s deflected shot against St Mirren was early, compared to the added time penalty by Kelechi Iheanacho at Kilmarnock or Daizen Maeda’s stoppage time header against Motherwell.
Celtic are not the only team to strike late this season, Hearts also won with a late goal at the weekend, against Hibs, while Motherwell left it just as late to score twice and win their first game of the League Campaign against Aberdeen the previous week.
Again, summer signings made an impact. Benjamin Nygren scored the equaliser, but even before that, he was knocking on the door. Michel-Ange Balikwisha has endured a baptism of fire since joining from Royal Antwerp late in the window. He was thrown in at the deep end with a debut at Ibrox, then played in an unaccustomed position at Kilmarnock, before two brief sub appearances.
Michel-Ange’s assist for Daizen’s winner showed the edge Celtic needed and have lacked for much of this season. He turned 24 in May and will be a litmus test of our potential to develop a talent. There were fighters on the field at fulltime on Sunday, including Michel-Ange.
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Celtic40me
You’ve shifted, though. Why should he?
—-
I have not shifted.
I called for an internal investigation and for the leak, once identified, to be sacked for gross misconduct.
But I acknowledged the real possibility that a person capable of such behaviour would have no problem in telling lies to cover themselves.
The club should have issued a statement in defence of their manager once the investigation was complete.
EKBhoy on 7th October 2025 2:39 pm
The club can’t respond to the rags , it’s a negative downward spiral …. They should only respond when they need to sue someone.
HH
….and the clubs use of such rags EKBhoy,???
Is that up or down on the spiral?.
Our board lay in the same shat in bed as media.
This will backfire.
HH
An Dún @ 3:11 pm,
Yes, the paragraph on the statement from the collective on the Sun briefing is very worrying.
“The allegation of a senior Club official briefing against the Manager to The Sun was described as “closed” by Michael Nicholson. The Club was unwilling to divulge much information although claimed a conversation took place between the Board and the Manager. The Club suggested that the allegation was unsubstantiated and did not require further investigation.
They haven’t even went for plausible deniability they have gone straight to legal and hide behind “unsubstantiated”.
They are digging a hole for themselves.
Maybe The Blogger Formerly Known As GM is ITK and these folk don’t expect to be around when it hits the fan…
Hail Hail
EKBHOY on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 1:27 PM
What is written about football in the press is generally bollocks , think back to Fergus ( compared to Saddam Hussien) and the muppets in our support believed it and booed him unfurling the league flag, a total disgrace. Fast forward 20 odd years , and another journalist makes up crap about what the board are thinking , yet again the muppets in the support believe it , hook ,line and sinker.
……………………..
I think you’re being a bit disingenuous about the reason some Celtic fans booed Fergus. It had nothing to do with comparisons to Saddam Hussein in the chip wrappers and everything to do with Wim Jansen leaving for whatever reason two days after winning the league to stop 10 in a row.
I thought it the booing was shameful but it’s never a good look to describe other Celtic supporters as ‘muppets.’
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 3:37 PM
EKBHOY on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 1:27 PM
…….
The rags set the scene and let’s be fair there were plenty of muppets willing to go along with it …. if you can find a more appropriate term I’m happy to with it …. Hard of thinking , easily led etc etc
HH
For those interested in astronomy or astrology (or maybe just a plain old style moonhowler) tonight’s the night. From around 18.20 Glasgow time the moon will rise (in Aries) above the eastern horizon move south before setting in the west around 7.30am tomorrow morning. Not just any old moon but a bona fide super moon, bigger and brighter than any seen over Caledonia since late last year. Looks like the skies over Glasgow and much of Scotland will be clear 6pm – 10pm so should be clearly visible after 7pm.
Also known of course as the ‘Harvest Moon’……
OldNeilYoungCSC
AN TEARMANN on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 3:30 PM
EKBhoy on 7th October 2025 2:39 pm
….
Not sure your getting my point , newspapers make up stories all the time , stretch the truth to breaking point , it is best to ignore them otherwise you’d be forever denying stories and find yourself being pressured into responding to the follow up story to your response, it never ends.
Vicious downward spiral sucking the energy out of the organisation which is what our friends in the press want.
If that is not clear enough then it’s been good to chat
HH
Why does our stadium have bogging windows, covid notices still up, flakey and rotten paintwork and no hot water in the loos. With 70m in the bank. Basic standards.
That to me tells you sll you need to know about our forensic boards eye for detail.
saint stivs
October 7, 2025 4:19 pm
The Club finally meets Celtic Fans Collective, but will they change? // ACSOM A Celtic State of Mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax7QEXhJyl4
Overall, the Club believes the football strategy is working and pointed to participation in European competition as evidence of its success.
—-
I expect to read leads on here about the excellent opportunities provided by the conference league in the not too distant future.
Ian Bankier told us that due to financial constraints Celtic cannot compete in the Champions league yet in recent times Celtic have lost to Maribor,Malmo, Cluj,AEK Athens ,Ferencvaros, Midtyjlland and Kaiat Almaty in champions league qualifiers. All of these clubs can’t compete financially with Celtic yet managed to not only compete against us but beat us.This to me is enough evidence to suggest that Celtic’s board of directors have failed to provide various managers with the proper funding to go into these these matches with a squad suitable for the task.Going by Bankier’s logic these teams shouldn’t have been able to ” compete” with Celtic. Systematic failure year after year equating to a lack of ambition.
Just heard on the wireless that the Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) are to appeal against the decision of the Chief Magistrate to dismiss charges against Knee Cap singer Mo Chara, something about clarifying a legal point. Two years to the day from the attack by Hamas in Israel, which set off the ongoing onslaught on Gaza.
A meeting between some of the Celtic board and supporters’ representatives on Monday “produced no tangible outcomes”, say the Celtic Fans Collective.
The umbrella group for fans’ organisations added that “many participants left with the view that the club’s leadership remains detached from the concerns of its supporters and reluctant to confront the need for change.”
Fans agitating for change at boardroom level has been a feature at Celtic games this season.
Planned silent protests for recent home games against Braga and Motherwell were cancelled after spokespeople for Collective were invited to sit down with officials, including chief executive Michael Nicholson and chief financial officer Chris McKay.
However, those talks appear to have been fruitless, with the Collective saying: “A recurring theme, through all answers and discussions, was a lack of humility, awareness and accountability.”
A statement from the Collective said club officials defended Celtic’s footballing strategy and transfer approach, while there was “no belief that substantive change may be required”.
They added: “The Collective expressed disappointment that the club remained unwilling to engage meaningfully on questions of leadership, governance, and accountability.”
The Collective explained they will “continue to consult with members to plan next steps”, with their message concluding: “It is our strong belief that yesterday’s meeting compounded the necessity and urgency of change.”
EK BHOY
Oh I get what you are trying to say,
Do you think that particular story,written by Roger Hannah was made up? As you are attempting to say
I dont.
Roger had his story placed by someone at Celtic.
Who?
The story was a hatchet job on our manager.
HH
‘Celtic Meeting, Summary
6 October 2025 | Celtic Park
─
Yesterday evening, 06/10/2025, the Celtic Fans Collective met with Celtic Football Club to
discuss the collective concerns of the Celtic support. The meeting was to seek answers to
the questions addressed to the Celtic Board in the Open Letter of 03/09/2025 which
amassed over 420 signatories, as well as to understand what lessons have been learned
and what changes will be made to avoid similar mistakes being repeated. Representing the
Celtic Board at the meeting was Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer, and Chris
McKay, Chief Financial Officer. Also in attendance from Celtic Football Club was John Paul
Taylor, Supporter Liaison Officer; Kevin McQuillan, Head of Commercial Operations; George
Campbell, Head of Legal and Governance; Mark Hargreaves, Head of Safety, Security and
Operations.
At the beginning of the meeting, a representative of the Collective clearly laid out the context which brought us to this point and set out the Collective’s expectations of the
meeting. It was made clear that the Collective expected reasonable answers to the existing
questions and some form of tangible action points moving forward. The Collective
acknowledged that while the positions of Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay are in our
view untenable, there was no expectation of agreement or progress on that during the
meeting and discussions would remain respectful and constructive.
The meeting was structured by working through the questions of the Open Letter, although there was some natural deviation. A recurring theme, through all answers and discussions, was a lack of humility, awareness and accountability. At various points, the Club deferred to communication and perception being the causes of concern rather than structure, performance or culture. The Club also repeatedly questioned or rejected the premise of questions.
The Club defended its footballing strategy although accepted it could be better
communicated to fans. Overall, the Club believes the football strategy is working and
pointed to participation in European competition as evidence of its success.
Similarly, the Club defended its transfer strategy citing different factors for transfer activity being difficult (for example tax laws in different European countries) while pointing to
examples which they believe is evidence of the strategy working.
The Club said that transfer business involves a multi-disciplinary model and no part of that
model has ultimate authority, however did cede that there are thresholds where the Board
of Directors must authorise increased transfer payments.
When pressed on this point, the
Club claimed emails would be sent to Board members for authorisation where necessary.
When pressed on accountability for failings, the Club rejected the premise of the question
but referred to internal reviews and the experience of long-serving Non-Executive
Directors. The Club provided little evidence of independent oversight and no belief that
substantive change may be required.
The allegation of a senior Club official briefing against the Manager to The Sun was
described as “closed” by Michael Nicholson. The Club was unwilling to divulge much
information although claimed a conversation took place between the Board and the
Manager. The Club suggested that the allegation was unsubstantiated and did not require further investigation.
In conclusion, the Collective expressed disappointment that the Club remained unwilling to
engage meaningfully on questions of leadership, governance, and accountability. The
meeting produced no tangible outcomes, and many participants left with the view that the
Club’s leadership remains detached from the concerns of its supporters and reluctant to
confront the need for change.
Full minutes of the meeting will be published as soon as possible.
The Celtic Fans Collective will continue to consult with members to plan next steps in our
campaign for positive change at Celtic Football Club. It is our strong belief that yesterday’s
meeting compounded the necessity and urgency of change
————-
ps, because you ungrateful Season book holders wont buy the Europa league package, which after all is European football participation like what we said , we can now offer seats for the next fixture at only £45 a generous reduction on previous Champions leage prices,
Concession prices, well no, kids should be in their beds after 8 o.clock, and pensioners dont spend when they come to the games.
Hospitality is sold out though,
cheers.
AN TEARMANN on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 4:46 PM
EK BHOY
I suspect Roger had a chat with someone and then Roger reported that he had spoken to an insider and then printed the question he had asked the insider. The rags usually have a piece of the story that they hold back for a second expose, when they have a real insider , in Rogers case , I suspect it’s made up pish.
Why would a Celtic insider talk to a journalist ( almost 100%who hate us) and spread crap which will cause division in the club? Why would you do that? Are they a muppet ?
If you believe the Board are a collective shower of tossers then you’ll believe anything is possible …. I’m in the camp where there are pockets of incompetence at board level square pegs in round holes ( just like on the pitch) , the real problem is the direction provided by the major shareholder, changing a few directors will have no impact whatsoever.
Good to chat think we’re at an impasse though ….
HH
Never walk out of a meeting without agreeing when the follow up meeting will take place.
It should have been the first thing discussed, before we start, can we agree when the follow up with actions will take place.
Having read the Collective statment, nothing at all was acxhieved, other than conformation bias that Nicolson is a poor communicator.
A shadow board needs to be put in place, with relevant subject matter expertise, and they should comment every day on every move Celtic makes,
£800k for MN. and that was what the collective and fans groups got in response,
hopeless ineffective.
So if that’s true we’re back at the board being a bunch of shite bags allowing the Sun to print lies?
this line …………….
When pressed on accountability for failings, the Club rejected the premise of the question
but referred to internal reviews and the experience of long-serving Non-Executive Directors.
so having non-execs in place unchallenged for 20 years is a good thing according to them.
ffs.
get them all out.
One thing I did notice from Sunday as the banner goes up in front of them, MN and McKay clapping the goal, Wilsomn withthat grin on his coupon, PL on the phone.
Nice few drinks afters.
Get them out.
SS, a pal has a table in the high heid yins hospitality area,he refused EL games
EK Bhoy.
I suspect Roger was mentored by someone at Celtic,that someone is Peter Lawell.
I dont believe our board are a shower of tossers.
However we do not know the dynamics going on with our board.
I would suggest Celtic have always had a constant line to all strata of media,that’s why this hatchet job sticks out,it not media mince or Celtic mince its a hybrid of the 2!!!
HH
AN TEARMANN on 7TH OCTOBER 2025 5:29 PM
EK Bhoy.
……
The Chairman throwing his weight about ….. really this is in my view fiction but hey if you’d rather believe a Sun journalist than a Celtic employee fill your boots ….
HH
the Bada Bing on 7th October 2025 5:22 pm
SS, a pal has a table in the high heid yins hospitality area,he refused EL games
—————-
Lord Willie said on ACSOM recently he is told there is a 3,000 strong waiting list for hospitality.
St Stivs
I know for a fact there is a huge waiting list for both hospitality and for the premium seats in Main Stand and North Stand. Likewise for the boxes and Walfrid.
It is an area they are woefully under catered for.
EK BHOY.
The Chairman throwing his weight about ….. really this is in my view fiction but hey if you’d rather believe a Sun journalist than a Celtic employee fill your boots ….
In this instance that is a nonsense comparison.
Peter Lawell sniping at our manager and using the Sun to do it.
That’s a dilemma….tis not really.
It’s an outrage that any such article appeared.
Peter is soiled in it
Do you think our soon to be exchairman is beyond such machiavellian behaviour Ekbhoy?
I will say where I am at .
Peter and Roger done it .
And it caused a little tension on our board.
DD wants BR
PL doesnt want BR,minions here and elsewhere throw up dust,but its a classic Baumol contradiction,management want one thing,the owner another,
In answer to believing ,Celtic or Sun,maybe I am bothered as to why the 2 are mentioned in the one sentence.that was not the Sun doin,that was planted by someone at our board
HH
SS- I don’t doubt it, but he’s refused EL games and he won’t be alone
The Hand of God
So we had a 3 x more expensive team beaten in Athens in 2019 and a 12 x more valuable team beaten by Almaty in 2025 and yet somehow these shitshow performances are the boards fault ?
Today I read some clown who had been at the meeting speaking of and agent telling a story about Luke McCowan discussions with Nicholson and said agent moaned that Nicholson had to leave the room to get approval to spend an additional £200k more for the player. This clown seemed to think that that reflected badly on Nicholson. That shows the idiocy in our midst.
No proper organisation should allow an individual the latitude to spend £200k over agreed budget without an approval process. This is how David Murray and his ego destroyed our rivals.
Yet this clown wanted to believe the agent saying it was ridiculous because it suited his pathetic agenda against the guy.
From Celtic
Club Executive meets with fan groups
In response to issues raised in recent weeks about the Club’s strategy and operations, we invited representatives of fan groups to meet with Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay and Club executives at Celtic Park and this took place on Monday evening.
It was, and remains, our intention to provide a full minute of the meeting for the interest of the wider fan base. However, with content already being distributed online from the meeting, we are also providing an earlier update.
The Club sought to comment openly on the issues raised to the extent that it is possible to do so, without prejudicing Club operations and confidentiality.
We acknowledged that the Club is not where we want it to be at the moment, that we have not achieved all of our objectives in the summer transfer window and the Champions League, and that mistakes have been made from which we will learn. We recognise the concerns raised, share the frustrations of our supporters and valued the opportunity to hear from supporters last night.
Our immediate objective is to seek to make progress, without negatively impacting on the team on the field of play, and that we continue to focus on delivering success this season.
We intend to issue minutes soon, but outputs from the meeting included a commitment to seek to ensure supporter involvement in meetings with Police Scotland regarding the Fairhurst Report, the review and development of supporter engagement processes, and progressing a new safe standing working group.
The Club offered to continue to meet with supporters’ organisations moving forward and is committed to ongoing dialogue with our wider support. We have always engaged in regular discussions with supporter groups and will continue to do so, with the aim of ensuring that we can work collaboratively and positively in the best interests of our team on the pitch and our Club as a whole.
Is this the latest propaganda…..
The article in the Sun didn’t happen…..or it was made up….really?
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/october/07/club-executive/
Deny Deflect Denigrate, tactics used when authority is challenged.
Burnley78 @ 6:02 pm,
You think it is normal for a CEO of a PLC with revenues of 140 mn, 70 mn in the bank and the CEO on a circa seven figure salary not to be able to approve a 200K spend.
Project Managers have more control over their budgets than that.
Hail Hail
I say clown re the guy above because not only does he think it’s bad for a CEO to have proper boundaries and approvals in place for spending the clubs money but he also begins his summary of the nights events with ‘confidential lads’ and then speaks of a guy who has played for us for 16 months as McGowan rather than his proper name. His general summary was a poorly compiled heap of confirmation bias and no attempt to understand.
Of course it was Peter Lawwell who went the Sun. He is the only one who has the ‘weight’ to do so. He is still raging that Brendan Rodgers forced his wee boy out the door into the garden…
Only my humble opinion, of course.
Chairbhoy
Most businesses have sign off of varying levels for various types of purchase.
Let’s say he has scope to approve a £800k purchase with regard to player budget and the purchase in question rises to £1.2m I would expect that would need approval.
I would be astonished if Celtic, or any club, ran their business like rangers back in the day.
Worth also highlighting there are many aspects to consider. Salary and other variables. A player is not just for Xmas they are a gift which keeps giving.
I was in the room when Murray approved the signing of a French centre back approx 20 years ago. I would be horrified if we had so little diligence. I know we don’t hence why we are successful. They died.
Chairbhoy
Can I also highlight that it could well have been a negotiation tactic by our CEO but our scribe was probably too hard of thinking / or set in his views to appreciate that.
Different tax laws …..who writes this pish…….so it only applies to Celtic when trying to sign players…..absolute bollox
The board could communicate better and the football structure needs fixed. My sense is these things could and will be done.
One thing the club is really good at is sharing the numbers. We are more transparent than almost any club out there.
How many times to we hear of how much debt rangers has, or how much they have in the bank, or any key ratios. Never.
We share it all.
It is clear no one is taking money out of the club.
No one ripping off the fans.
Yet the mood music suggests differently. The manager is much better funded than any other manager in our league and easily better than our qualifier opponent yet he failed. We failed. He blames the board (weird as he has his recruitment guy and got rid of previous who brought in MOR Kuhn Kyogo Jota Abada Hatate CCV JJ AJ GG etc).
The fans jump on the managers bullshit and back him. Despite shit on field performances.
It’s all the suits fault. Crazy.