Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has defended former head of recruitment Mark Lawwell at the club’s annual general meeting, saying it is impossible for every signing to be a success.
Lawwell, son of chairman Peter, left Parkhead in March after two years in the role, and his record was criticised at the AGM, with chief executive Michael Nicholson asked by a shareholder: “At what point did you decide to sack the chairman’s son?”
Peter Lawwell said the shareholder – Celtic blogger Joe McHugh – had an “unhealthy obsession with me and my son”.
Nicholson then said: “When Mark decided to leave to pursue other opportunities, we were sorry to see him go,” before Rodgers praised Lawwell junior’s work.
“Mark’s influence in bringing in Ange Postecoglou was huge,” Rodgers said. “If that was his only contribution here then he did a fantastic job. But he was influential in bringing in players like Alistair Johnston. Every player won’t work out.
“My experience with working with Mark was second to none. He decided to go down a different route.
“He’s a massive Celtic supporter from a family who want the best for Celtic. His intention was for the very, very best for Celtic and that’s why I will defend him.”
In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session, topics included ticket prices, stadium redevelopment, fan use of pyrotechnics and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Finance officer Chris McKay insisted he would consider calls to lower ticket prices, given the club’s healthy bank balance, but mentioned current economic difficulties and stressed Celtic’s cash reserves provide a welcome cushion.
“It gives us flexibility throughout various transfer windows to invest when we need to invest,” he said.
“The cash won’t last forever but if we are in the Europa League for a period of time we can run the business in normal circumstances without having to sell marquee players, and it allows us to invest in the squad.”
Nicholson said pyro use was “not a Celtic-specific issue” and that he was more concerned by their dangerous nature rather than the fines the club have received. “It’s a challenge we will continue to try to address,” he added.
