Pundit calls for Peter Lawwell to step down from Celtic 'with immediate effect' in new rant

By John McGinley

February 2, 2021

Former Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas has called on Chief Executive Peter Lawwell to step down from his role with immediate effect, so the club rebuild can begin.

Lawwell has announced his retirement after a 17-year spell at the Bhoys as CEO.

He will leave his post on June 30th, with new CEO Dominic McKay taking charge on July 1st.

For Nicholas though, that’s not good enough. The outspoken pundit thinks changes have to be made now.

Writing in his Scottish Daily Express column (02/02 print edition, page 55), Nicholas said: “Peter Lawwell should step down with immediate effect and allow the Celtic rebuild to start now rather than the summer.

“Celtic need to clear the decks. Waiting until July solves nothing and actually causes more problems.

“Who will be making the big decisions until then? Who decides who the manager is next season? Who is doing the transfers and the deals before Dominic McKay comes in as the new chief executive?”

There are realities involved in Peter Lawwell exit from Celtic

Nicholas goes on to insult Lawwell throughout his column, calling Lawwell a ‘glorified accountant’ and decrying his influence on the club over the last two decades.

The former striker clearly isn’t a fan, but he’s not seeing the big picture with his latest rant.

A transition period is normal in this scenario. Lawwell and McKay will obviously be in communication between now and July about the direction Celtic are heading in.

Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Change is in the air at Celtic Park and it’s unlikely to be a case of one man washing his hands of the situation and another taking full immediate control. That wouldn’t be constructive.

I get there are big decisions to be made between now and July, but that’ll be a group effort.

A strategy is needed, but it’s unlikely to be beneficial for Lawwell to walk away tomorrow.

In other news, Carlo Ancelotti has provided an update on new Celtic signing Jonjoe Kenny.