The Hoops held talks with fan groups on Monday night in an attempt to clear the air.
18:12, 07 Oct 2025Updated 19:41, 07 Oct 2025
Celtic Chief Financial Officer Christopher McKay (R) and CEO Michael Nicholson (L)
Celtic chiefs have held their hands up over the botched summer transfer window and Champions League failure.
But the admission is unlikely to appease angry supporters after Monday night’s fan summit only riled up punters even more.
Hoops chief exec Michael Nicholson and finance officer Chris McKay held talks with representatives of supporters clubs and the Celtic Fans Collective group after a recent letter calling out the board.
But the pow wow failed to see peace breaking out following the postponement of recent protests ahead of the discussions.
The Collective hit out at the lack of ‘humility, awareness and accountability’ while they consider further action.
But Hoops officials hit back with a statement and said: “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.”
Celtic fans hold up a banner to show their discontent to towards the club’s board
The fans groups were invited to Celtic Park on Monday night with a sit down with the chiefs.
But the discussions collapsed and supporters are now plotting to ramp up the pressure on the powerbrokers.
The Celtic Fans Collective statement said: “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.
Celtic fans hold banners in protest of Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson
“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.”