Ange Postecoglou lifts lid on relationship with acting Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson

By Euan Davidson

October 15, 2021

Ange Postecoglou is enjoying life at Celtic alongside acting CEO Michael Nicholson.

Despite the shock departure of Dom McKay last month, Postecoglou is more than happy with the set-up at his disposal. Now he’s planning for the future alongside Celtic’s former Company Secretary and Head of Legal, and acting CEO Nicholson.

Not a great deal was known about Nicholson prior to Celtic’s McKay announcement. A Harvard Business School graduate, law partner and member of the Court of Arbitration of Sport, there were questions about his suitability for the role.

According to Postecoglou, though, things are working well with the legal expert in terms of making solid footballing decisions. Postecoglou said [Newschain]:

“The relationship is working well.

“It helps that Michael has been here and I already knew Michael, he was one of the first people I met through the process of my appointment. And he was involved in a lot of our transfer dealings anyway.

“So I have already had an established relationship, which made it easier in terms of the transition. He understands, because he has been here, the job that’s ahead of us, short, medium and long term. We are very much working together to put the pillars in place that we need to.

“We have some immediate concerns obviously, that’s around the football department and looking ahead to January.

“But we want to build something, not just for immediate success, but for sustainable success. So you have to get into more strategic thinking and I am working alongside Michael hand in hand with that.”

Strategic thinking sounds promising from Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and acting CEO Michael Nicholson

Some long-term thinking at long last?

In 20-21, Celtic seemed utterly rudderless. The board’s complacency over 10IAR was met with disappointing hires, backing a manager until it was too late, and an Academy set-up that wasn’t delivering.

It seemed, without being too dramatic, a bit hopeless around Celtic Park. However, now it seems as if there’s someone thinking beyond getting through the next game. No, in fact – several people. Primarily Ange Postecoglou and Michael Nicholson.

Nicholson hasn’t exactly been a public-facing figure as of yet. Dom McKay, more of a natural in front of the camera, projected an image of corporate “cool” and spoke like a politician. Nicholson seems like a very different prospect altogether.

If Postecoglou – forever a straight shooter – wasn’t enjoying himself at Celtic, we’d know about it. He doesn’t have to justify himself to a board who won’t sufficiently back him.

Interestingly, who knew that Michael Nicholson was so heavily involved in transfers? Was the now acting CEO being primed for a bigger role long-term?

There are a lot of interesting sub-plots here. But for now, there’s plenty to be getting on with.

Let’s hope this is a positive working relationship for a while yet.

Read more: Celtic Ange Postecoglou gives excellent update on backroom staff