Peter Lawwell 'frontrunner' to be next Celtic chairman as search for Ian Bankier successor begins

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell is to exit his position at the stop of June, with Dominic McKay moving from Scottish Rugby equally his replacement.

The reigning Scottish champions take announced that Lawwell has decided to retire subsequently 17 years in the part.

McKay has been with Scottish Rugby for 13 years and was promoted to chief operating officeholder in 2015.

Lawwell said: "I believe the gild have identified an excellent successor with the highest integrity."

The 61-twelvemonth-quondam Scot has been at the helm during a fourth dimension when the Glasgow club have won 29 trophies, including 13 league titles, iv domestic trebles and reached the last 16 of the Champions League on three occasions.

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But Celtic have fallen 23 points behind city rivals Rangers in this flavour'southward endeavour to win a 10th consecutive domestic league championship, albeit with three games in hand.

"It was obvious that the gild would be facing a natural flow of transition at the end of this season regardless of any outcomes," Lawwell said in a guild statement.

"Like every Celtic supporter, I am disappointed that, and then far, this season has not worked out in the manner we all hoped for, despite our best efforts."

Lawwell, who said he get-go discussed the possibility of retirement with chairman Ian Bankier final year, had delayed his announcement until a replacement was establish and "will at present wait forward to other challenges".

Lawwell recently apologised for Celtic'south controversial trip to Dubai, saying it was "clearly... a mistake" to travel to the Middle East during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Celtic's principal shareholder, Dermot Desmond, said: "When Peter told me he was considering retirement, I did my utmost, unsuccessfully, to dissuade him. Celtic Football Gild owes a major debt of gratitude to Peter Lawwell, who has made a unique and transformative contribution to our guild.

"Over the years, Peter was sought after past many English Premier League clubs, simply his love and delivery to the social club and Scotland were more important to him."

Celtic fan McKay joined Scottish Rugby as director of communications and public affairs in 2008 and, equally chief operating officer, has led the governing body's commercial, marketing, ticketing and communications activity and management of Murrayfield Stadium.

He has besides overseen the commercial activities of Scotland'southward ii professional teams, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby, and is besides current chair of the Guinness Pro14 league.

McKay said in a statement: "Joining Celtic FC as chief executive is a one time in a lifetime opportunity. I have been incredibly impressed with the vision and people within the society and I look forrard to working with them."

Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson agreed that it was a "fantastic opportunity" for McKay, who he said had "made a significant contribution to the progress we have made every bit a sport and organisation, including recently helping to bring significant individual equity investment into the Pro14".

"Scottish Rugby is currently inbound into a period of strategic review that will see the organization plan for its post Covid-xix futurity and I will reference this work to reflect the needs of the organisation alee of any recruitment process," he added.

'A troubled few months'

BBC Scotland sports news contributor Chris McLaughlin

Peter Lawwell'south fourth dimension at Celtic Park was undoubtedly a successful one. Since his appointment in 2003, the society has secured a full of 29 trophies, including 13 league titles and iv domestic trebles.

He has also been highly influential in Scottish football, with various spells on the boards of the Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League.

But the order has had a troubled few months. An ill-blighted winter preparation trip to Dubai drew criticism from Commencement Minister Nicola Sturgeon and fans accept called for the sacking of managing director Neil Lennon later on falling 23 points backside rivals Rangers.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55852763

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