Celtic board faces growing pressure as prominent fan group seek answers after 'calamitous' European exit
Celtic’s Champions League exit has prompted a leading supporters group to demand greater accountability from the club’s board
A leading Celtic supporters group has renewed its call for “accountability” at board level following another damaging Champions League exit.
Martin O’Neill’s team suffered a dramatic collapse against Austrian champions LASK on Tuesday, throwing away a 4-0 aggregate advantage before eventually going down 5-4 in the play-off tie.
The result has reignited anger among sections of the Celtic support and increased scrutiny on the club’s hierarchy, which faced sustained protests from fans throughout the previous campaign.
The Celtic Fans Collective, established after last season’s Champions League play-off defeat to Kairat Almaty with the aim of pushing for boardroom reform, greater transparency and stronger engagement with supporters, has now issued a fresh statement.
The group said it understood the strength of feeling among fans after what it described as another “calamitous CL exit”.
They argued that Champions League qualifiers should demonstrate whether Celtic are properly equipped to compete at the highest level in Europe, but claimed the board had once again failed to provide the team with the resources required.
The statement read: “We acknowledge the depth of feeling among supporters following the latest calamitous CL exit. These qualifiers are a test of the club’s readiness for top tier European football and, for the sixth consecutive time, our board has failed in its duty to give us the best possible chance.
“Despite some promising signings, the squad is clearly nowhere near where it should be. The failures of previous windows were also laid bare as the team struggled against a LASK side who thoroughly deserved to qualify.
“Last week, we called for a culture of accountability. We reiterate that call today.”
Nicholson and McKay back in firing line
The group also renewed its criticism of Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay, claiming it had previously warned that the pair should not be trusted to oversee another European qualifying campaign.
“We have repeatedly warned that Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay could not be trusted to lead the club into another European qualifier,” the statement added. “The board allowed them to do so regardless and, once again, it has cost Celtic and our supporters dearly.”
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