05 Jan 2026 16:33:16
As suspected, the idea that Peter Lawwell had "left" Celtic has turned out to be little more than smoke and mirrors. While the announcement gave the impression of a clean break, David Low has since clarified that Lawwell has only stepped down from the Celtic PLC board and remains on the board of The Celtic Football and Athletic Company Limited, the entity that actually runs the football club.
That distinction matters. The PLC board largely deals with financial and shareholder matters, whereas the football club board is where real influence over the running of Celtic sits. Shifting Lawwell from one board to another may look significant on paper, but in reality it leaves his presence within the club intact.
I also pointed out at the time that the "departure" never stacked up, as Lawwell continues to hold a senior role at UEFA through the European Club Association. That position is directly linked to his status at Celtic, making the notion of him walking away entirely implausible from the outset.
The smoke and mirrors worked briefly because many supporters were desperate to believe meaningful change was finally happening, particularly amid protests and mounting frustration over governance and accountability. Low's explanation, drawn directly from the stock market statement, has stripped that illusion away.
With poor results and the dismissals of Nancy and Tisdale sharpening the focus on leadership, this now looks less like accountability and more like a cosmetic reshuffle designed to buy time.
In reality, nothing fundamental has changed. Lawwell is off the PLC board, still on the football club board, and still representing Celtic at UEFA level. It was never an exit, just smoke and mirrors. No doubt he will slink back in to the public eye once all the crap has died down. We need to keep the pressure on and make sure he is removed on a permanent basis.
05 Jan 2026 16:54:42
I forgot to add that it really shows the calibre of Lawwell when he pretends to leave, only to take a dig at the fans at the same time.
Let's remember his own words:
"It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as chairman of Celtic FC.
"I believe that my 18 years as chief executive and three years as chairman at the club have shown my ability to meet and overcome challenges on many fronts, but abuse and threats from some sources have increased and are now intolerable.
"They have dismayed and alarmed my family. At this stage in my life, I don't need this. I cannot accept this and so I leave the club I have loved all my life.
"The motivations and aims of these detractors can be investigated by others. I prefer to look back on my career at Celtic with deep gratitude and satisfaction. "
It's strange, though, if he and his family were really so alarmed and distressed, how does taking another role with the same organisation make any sense? It effectively puts him back in the same situation he claimed he couldn't tolerate.
05 Jan 2026 16:57:41
If this is true it is beyond comprehension.
05 Jan 2026 17:09:04
Alternatively Weejoe it could just mean PL is just a lying, deceiving piece of sh oite.
05 Jan 2026 17:25:58
You're right Weejoe about that statement was just an opportunity to have another dig at the Celtic fans
If that isn't the case then it's a strange statement to make with him still being employed by our club.
05 Jan 2026 17:26:17
It is true frank, the document of him being appointed in his new role was on company house.
05 Jan 2026 18:14:00
@pedro - I think we are seeing a glimpse of the real Peter lawwell.
05 Jan 2026 18:16:15
If you check on Companies House, Lawwell resigned from The Celtic Football and Athletic Company as of 5th Jan, (today) .
This company is technically just a shell to hold/ protect the historic name of the club. It was established as Pacific Shelf Ltd on 11th October 1994 and it's name changed to coincide with the club becoming a PLC, now Celtic PLC.
The 4 remaining Directors are now Joanne McNairn, Chris McKay, Michael Nicholson and Eric Reilly.
That's my understanding.
05 Jan 2026 19:02:16
You are correct Masoninblack, the source I got the information were obviously incorrect as I just checked and can see the resignation from both organisations as you stated.
05 Jan 2026 18:24:42
This can't be left alone and can't be allowed in any manor he doesn't get to have a dig at the fans and lie and then accept another job role and I have no doubt that his resignation and statement is being used in part to keep the green brigade out of the stadium and now he is charge of footballing matters which is why we all wanted him gone in the first place.
him up in the ivory tower playing football manager and signing players like Soro and shved and all the other rubbish projects pretending he's a football scout the collective needs to act on this and call the club out for it.