Few jobs in Scotland come with as much scrutiny as being CEO or Chairman of Celtic.
But one person who could say he’s trumped that is Humza Yousaf, who spent 14 months as First Minister of Scotland between 2023 and 2024.
The youngest ever First Minister, Yousaf’s reign wasn’t quite Wilfried Nancy-level short, but it was over pretty quickly.
Since being replaced by John Swinney, he has dropped out of the foreground of Scottish politics and doesn’t intend to stand for re-election this year.
Instead, he may have an eye on a job at Celtic Park, about which he was having a joke this week.
What would you say to Dermot Desmond about Celtic’s transfer model now?
Humza Yousaf on becoming Celtic chairman
Yousaf is a boyhood Celtic fan, born in Rutherglen and raised in the Glasgow area.
He certainly wasn’t known for his popularity as First Minister…. so he’d probably fit right in with the Celtic board.
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Speaking about his future plans via the Scottish Daily Express, Yousaf confirmed that he wasn’t in the market for a ‘big job’…
However, he joked, “Unless Celtic come knocking on the door and want me to be the chairman.
“No, I’m just kidding. I think having been in one very difficult leadership role…”
He was then asked: “Could you have done a better job [than Peter Lawwell]?”
Yousaf laughed, but gave a predictably political answer: “I should be careful where I go with this one.”
Lawwell’s interim replacement, Brian Wilson, has ironically been slating the SNP government this week, so don’t expect to see Yousaf taking his place.
The club will be more focused on navigating a January transfer without a sporting director, head of recruitment or permanent manager.
Celtic’s season of change
Lawwell’s resignation was one of many seismic changes at Celtic in what has been a remarkable 2025-26 season.
John Kennedy departed the club after almost three decades, following Rodgers out the back door and being replaced by Shaun Maloney.
Along with Nancy and all of his coaching staff, Paul Tisdale was also dismissed from his role as Head of Football Operations in early January.
B team manager Darren O’Dea was poached by Swansea, whilst head of scouting Jay Lefevre also made the same move. Elena Sadiku left her role as manager of Celtic Women to join BK Hacken.
No one is safe… The question is: who will be next?
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