Michael Nicholson and Celtic board to break silence in rare public address after summer transfer shambles

Michael Nicholson and Celtic board to break silence in rare public address after summer transfer shambles

The Hoops hierarchy are due to communicate with shareholders later this month

Under-fire Celtic supremos Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson (Image: SNS Group)

Celtic fans and shareholders will get a rare public address from their under-fire board later this month.

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Hoops supporters are reeling after a shambolic transfer window ended with Brendan Rodgers still scrambling for a new striker.

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Adam Idah was flogged to Swansea City for £7million, and despite the manager stating just 72 hours prior that the Irishman wouldn't be sold unless a replacement was signed, Celtic now only have Shin Yamada, Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand as recognised frontmen.

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A late effort to land Anderlecht goal machine Kasper Dolberg ended in tatters as soon as Ajax entered the race, with the Denmark international setting his heart on a deadline day switch to Amsterdam.

And in another humiliating blow, Chelsea outcast David Datro Fofana snubbed an 11th-hour loan to Glasgow in favour of Charlton – only for the switch to collapse at the last minute.

Celtic are now hastily searching around for free agents to fill the gaping hole up front and the Scottish champions face a race against time to land Kelechi Iheanacho before Tuesday's 11pm Europa League squad registration deadline.

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Iheanacho – who turned down Celtic for a loan switch to Middlesbrough in January – ripped up his contract with Sevilla late on Monday night and worked with Rodgers previously at Leicester City.

But the 28-year-old has endured a torrid couple of seasons and hasn't kicked a ball since a cameo for Nigeria in May.

Celtic fans hold banner protests at Ibrox (Image: SNS Group)

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Raging fans are now demanding answers from the silent boardroom with Michael Nicholson, Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond all facing the furore.

Tensions were already simmering in the wake of the embarrassing Champions League exit to Kazakh minnows Kairat Almaty as a result of the hierarchy's failure to fill key positions before the £40million playoff.

Protests will only ramp up over the coming and weeks and months, with thousands of fans now at boiling point with decision-makers.

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The finger has been pointed at chief executive Nicholson and chairman Lawwell for the lack of communication, transparency and accountability from the director's box.

But the under-fire supremos WILL break cover in the coming weeks when the PLC releases its annual results for the year ended June, 2025.

Parkhead chiefs posted a £43.9m pre-tax profit in February's interim report, with an eye-watering £65.4m sitting in the bank.

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In a statement to the stock exchange, Lawwell said: "Our commitment as always is to invest in continuous improvement in all areas of the club and, most importantly, in the first team squad. The success of our model has ensured that funding is available to acquire players who will contribute to ongoing success."

However, with Rodgers' squad undeniably weaker heading into the new campaign, it remains to be seen whether Lawwell or Nicholson will address the fan fury and another summer window of discontent.

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