Celtic fans thrilled as ‘sacrificial lamb’ exits Parkhead: ‘Good riddance’
Celtic fans are overjoyed at the news that chairman Peter Lawwell is due to step down from his role at the end of this year.
Celtic‘s problems have been on show for all to see this season after behind-the-scenes disagreements led to Brendan Rodgers‘ resignation in October.
Their fans have fumed at chairman Lawwell and the rest of the board after a poor summer window left them struggling under Rodgers before Martin O’Neill steadied the ship as interim boss.
Celtic appointed Wilfried Nancy as their new permanent manager recently, but the pressure is already rising on him after defeats in each of his first three games in charge, including against St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final.
Supporters have demanded change at board level following such a turbulent few months at Parkhead, and they have now got their wish with news of Lawwell‘s impending departure.
Lawwell announces his Celtic exit after 22 years of being involved in the club
Scottish financial executive Lawwell was appointed to the Hoops’ board as their chief executive in 2003 after previously holding a position as a financial controller at the club in the early 1990s.
He stepped down as chief executive in 2021 after 18 years in the role, but soon returned to Parkhead to become Celtic’s new chairman at the start of 2023.
The club has been successful with him at the helm, but Celtic fans have not seen eye-to-eye with Lawwell in recent times, following issues with transfers and their lack of progress in European competitions.
As a result, the 66-year-old announced on Wednesday that he will leave the club on 31 December, with a section of his statement saying: “I believe that my 18 years as chief executive and three years as chairman at the Club have shown my ability to meet and overcome challenges on many fronts, but abuse and threats from some sources have increased and are now intolerable.
“They have dismayed and alarmed my family. At this stage in my life, I don’t need this. I cannot accept this and so I leave the club I have loved all my life.”
Non-executive director Brian Wilson will become interim chairman from when Lawwell leaves until a permanent appointment is made.
Celtic fans are buzzing with Lawwell’s exit and want other board members to follow
Celtic fans protested outside Parkhead after their loss to St Mirren last time out, and it seems as if their constant grievances have now pushed Lawwell to call time on his tenure as chairman.
Many supporters were pleased at the news of his exit, and also want to see the likes of CEO Michael Nicholson and non-executive director Dermot Desmond to follow him out of the door.
Taking to X, one fan reacted to the announcement by saying: “Sacrificial lamb, they had to do something and Lawwell was the easiest option. Still a long way to go.”
Another said: “Lawwell was a failure that should have left in 2009. Wilson and Nicholson must also go, along with Desmond, McKay, Tidsdale and the rest of this useless bunch.”
While one added: “Take a few others with you. Good riddance. The rebels have won.”