Michael Stewart stripped the 1000 word opus back to basics as James McFadden got to the heart of the issue board has missed

17:38, 07 Sep 2025Updated 19:35, 07 Sep 2025

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Michael Stewart has told Celtic that one word would have done far more use than their 1000 word PR ‘”disaster” they issued on Saturday night – and it was the only one that was missing.

Following a meeting with supporters groups, the Parkhead club attempted to address fan concerns after they were slammed for failing to do the necessary business in the transfer window and crashed out of the Champions League at the playoff round stage.

In the address, the Hoops claimed that remaining sustainable within UEFA’s financial restrictions meant that they cannot in fact dip into the massive cash reserves built up over several years of Champions League qualification.

Media speculation and other clubs’ demands were also blamed for not getting transfer deals done.

It hasn’t washed with punters who have been slaughtering the club on the back of the statement.

Now Stewart has had his say on the lengthy release, suggesting it could have been as short as possible but far more effective,

“The statement is an absolute PR disaster,” former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart said on Sportsound. “Talk about not being able to read the room…

“Of course, they were under pressure and felt like they had to speak but they’d have been better just being quiet than coming out with that.

“At no juncture in that statement did the Celtic board actually say, ‘you know what, it’s not been as good as we hoped’. “That statement could’ve been one word – ‘sorry’.”

Meanwhile, former Scotland international James McFadden reckons Parkhead chiefs have missed the point entirely.

He added: “It’s not about spending, it’s the timing,” he told Sportsound. “Getting the players in before you’ve let players go is the ideal, but certainly before you play in a Champions League qualifier.

“The model’s been amazing for Celtic over a number of years but this transfer window’s not been good enough, nor the last one.”