Chris Sutton believes former Celtic CEO Dom McKay did an excellent job in changing the mood at the club.
McKay sensationally resigned yesterday, after only 71 days in the job. Personal reasons were cited by Celtic in a statement made last night [Celtic FC].
In his short time, McKay helped to facilitate significant turnover in the playing staff. Perhaps his biggest achievement was bringing Ange Postecoglou to the club.
Not only that, the communication with supporters improved rapidly under his short tenure.
Sutton believes, after the late stages of Peter Lawwell’s tenure, McKay turned the atmosphere around at Celtic. In his column for the Daily Record, Sutton said:
“The mood around the support base was gloomy. The team was miles behind Rangers in the final league table and the cup competitions were disappointing.
“With so many loan players disappearing and big names seeking pastures new, the word overhaul was an understatement.
“The fact things have turned so quickly point to the fact that McKay, in a short space of time, did a good job.
“The chase for Eddie Howe didn’t end well when the Englishman decided he didn’t want the job, but Postecoglou has gone in and caught the imagination of the fans which means McKay more than made up for that.
“Fair enough, the Aussie still has things to prove, but the early signs are very positive.”
Sutton is right about McKay: in short time at Celtic, he achieved a lot
Whatever speculation emerges about McKay and his Celtic exit, Sutton is right. What he achieved at the club in a very short space of time was genuinely impressive.
If he was the driving force behind bringing in Eddie Howe, it didn’t work. So be it. But in bringing in Postecoglou, McKay appointed a manager that supporters adore. Not only that, but the much-needed changes to the squad were made.
The atmosphere at Celtic Park – at least from my perspective – seemed more optimistic than it had done for a while. With regime change at CEO level, a quality manager playing exciting football and some exciting new faces on the pitch, crowds have been raucous.
Beyond the obvious excitement of getting back to Paradise, the atmosphere in and outside of the stadium seemed to have that glint of positivity that was there under Brendan Rodgers.
How McKay’s exit will affect that is yet to be seen, it’s still very early. But from the gloom of last season and the early summer to now, the difference is drastic.
McKay had a big part to play in that.
In other news: Ange says Celtic now have a “next level” opportunity
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