Michael Nicholson

he has 6 months to impress me. Help Ange get what he wants in january and the summer and we'll go from there.

 

I get the scepticism but will give the guy a chance to deliver what Ange needs. For once I will listen to a manager on these issues and if Ange is happy with his work I won't be too critical

 

What's he done of note in his interim position? Heehaw, and that's why he's got it full time

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This will be slightly ironic, considering what I have posted in here already, but I'll play devil's advocate on this one. Ange appears to be implying we have made significant progress in identifying targets and being proactive in getting things done so that we can get the signings he is after in early. We will find out very soon whether what he is saying is justified and, if it is, I would have expected Nicholson to be a major factor in that. If, however, things don't pan out as Ange seems to think they will then your view will likely be fully justified.

It's only a few weeks to wait to find out, I can give him that much leeway.

 

I assume he gave the best interview of all the candidates that were considered for the role ...

 

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has hailed Michael Nicholson as the “driving force” behind Celtic’s January transfer plans.

The Hoops are closing in on deals for Japanese trio Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi.

And Postecoglou thanked the new CEO for taking on the extra burden ahead of a key month.

He said: “We’ve been working really hard on this window for quite a while. We knew it would be important and January is not an easy one.

"It’s not one where you really want to do too much because there is sometimes a desperation around it in terms of the business.

“So we set our task early on that — irrespec- tive of how the first half of the year went.

“We knew what targets we wanted, and what kind of players. And Michael has been the driving force.

“As you can appreciate with the games we’ve had, I had to focus on making sure we were competitive on the field.

“Michael has taken the lead and he’s working awfully hard in the background to make sure we get what we need done.”

Nicholson, who has been at Celtic in various senior roles since 2013, became acting chief executive after Dom McKay left 72 days into in the job.

He was confirmed as the new supremo last week, news welcomed by Postecoglou.

The two are in daily contact and the Celtic boss views that relationship as being just as vital as the one he has with his players.

He said: “In some situations it’s even more important. It is crucial.

"Because whatever vision I have for the club and the kind of team that I want us to be, that has to be supported. I can’t do it on my own. No manager can.

“We rely on people like Michael and Chris McKay (chief financial officer) and others, to get deals done and support my vision.

“If we are not aligned, or if there’s a difference of opinion there, it can make my job awfully hard.

“From the moment I was appointed I’ve worked very closely with Michael on a lot of the deals.

“I felt comfortable and I think there’s a bit of synergy there with the way he thinks and the way I think. Our visions are aligned.

“It’s not always the way and there may be times in the future where, whatever my vision is, it’s at odds with Michael.

“But, you know, if there is reasoning behind it, then I’m comfortable with that too. That’s the key.

“I have good and open discussions with Michael and, for both of us, it’s about this football club.

“It’s not about ourselves, personally. It’s about what we think is going to be the right fit for this club.

“If that’s aligned, things run a lot more smoothly.”

Lawyer Nicholson has dealt with four Celtic gaffers — Neil Lennon, Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers and Postecoglou.

Now the Aussie insists the chief exec will put his own stamp on the club.

He said: “I don’t want to speak on Michael’s behalf, but when he needs to be, he’s got real firm views on what is best for this club.

“And he won’t be shy in saying them — but I think the main thing about anyone in a key role is just to be yourself. Be authentic.

“That’s what Michael is. He loves this club, he wants the best for it.

“He’s been here quite a while, he’s seen success, he worked through the challenges of last year, so he’s seen the full spectrum and that experience is brilliant for him.

“But Michael is his own man and will do it his way.”

 

Interesting interview there and hopefully a good working relationship there between Nicholson and Ange developing.

 

I'm expecting more than just transfers though. Happily admit I'm very sceptical on the appointment, but if all he's done since coming in is talk to the clubs that Ange has identified players from, then he's not done very much in my opinion. But I would more than likely be very harsh in that, as surely/clearly he must do more behind the scenes.

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Ange is hardly going to come out and slate the guy at this time, this interview is positive for sure, I expect a little is pressure to make sure he gets better than he got in the summer. Good on Ange.

However, this bit I've quoted is what I'm waiting to see.

Are his "real firm views" his own views, or the clubs/boards views? If they are his own (and differ to the boards) is he able to assert them and act on them without backlash from the board?

"Won't be shy in saying them"
This is the problem mostly, this board, the CEOs and the executives ARE shy in saying them, to the fans at least anyway.

Any chance they can actually tell us what their views and plans are for OUR club? Would be helpful. The lack of communication to the fans and lack of information is what's always annoyed us all in the first place.



As lupis has said above though, only a few weeks to see if this guys any different to the last two CEOs and if he will bring an actual different view on things and way of pushing the club forward.



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I get that, but to be honest most of the work a CEO does is behind the scenes, so unless you are part of the board or senior management you rarely find out what they are working on unless something noteworthy comes of it, like a new sponsorship deal, and that is generally reported after the fact. Transfers is one of the few areas currently where we can see the end result quickly, have a set deadline for, and can make a judgement on how they are doing, ignoring for now it's an area I don't believe they should be dealing with in the first place, that's what a DoF is for, but it is why I picked it as a first indicator of how well he's working with Ange and doing his job.

 

Ominous comments from Ange, given they mirror what previous managers said about Lawwell.

 

A simple ,they know who I want in and had plenty of prior knowledge ,so it's on him if it doesn't happen would do , that's how I read it .

 

I think this could be a case of the manager holding Nicholson publicly accountable.

He's let everyone know he's identified players that he needs now. If we don't get them then it's basically shown he's not been backed and where the fans should direct their anger. The compliments he's paying him are a round about way of putting pressure on Nicholson to deliver.

Starting to see just how much the manager loves a mind game.

 

Ever anything positive to say pal, just a single positive post about anything Celtic?

 

Do you ever post about Celtic, or just other posters?

Just had a look through your posts and (in between the crying about other users) you’ve waxed lyrical about Lawwell many a time. One of them ones, then.

 

Nah mate, never..

I just come on here with nothing positive to say about this club or it's fan's, ever..

 

Look through my posts. I’ve said many positive things.

You’re just taking umbrage at what I say about the fans and Lawwell, as you appear to have been in the portion of the support that cheered on his downsizing and meddling that ultimately cost 10.

It’s alright. You see the light now - dry those eyes and stop letting it eat away at you

 

Course you have..

Aye mate, that's it. Utter waffle..

Carry on...

 

If this guy gets us anywhere near the trophy haul than we got under Lawwell’s reign I’ll be happy tbh.

 

Is Lawwell our most decorated club employee?