IS MARTIN O’NEILL PETER LAWWELL’S REPLACEMENT?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 19 minutes ago
- 4 min read
That’s the rumor doing the rounds today.
I don’t usually like to spread rumors or speculation until I have something more concrete, but this is something that, if true, has the potential for such a massive impact on Celtic going forward that it is simply too big to ignore.
So, whilst me may love to visualize the image of Celtic Chairman Martin O’Neill Peter Lawwell has given no indication he intends to step aside, but rumors of his impending retirement continue to persist.
While There’s No Denying the Popularity of Martin O’Neill, Peter Lawwell Won’t Just Step Aside
The main vector for this current rumor is The Daily Record’s Chief Purveyor of mince masquerading as journalism, Keith Jackson. However, even a broken clock is right once a day.
And ultimately, for all he grossly exaggerated the extent of the investment, his assertion that Rangers would come under new, American ownership was, in the end, at least partially correct.
The assertion that Peter Lawwell would retire at some point in the near future, as Martin O’Neill is “moved upstairs” perhaps initially in a director of football role, but with the ultimate goal of giving him a place in the boardroom, as chairman.
Let’s be real here though, if Martin O’Neill was indeed offered a place in the board room, or indeed, as Jackson believes, the chairmanship, it would be a largely ceremonial and symbolic role.
The idea of promoting a Celtic manager to the boardroom is nothing new. Indeed, as far back as the 1970s, it is believed that such a notion was floated by the Celtic Board at the time, with Jock Stein being made honorary life chairman of the club, in recognition of his incredible achievements during his time as manager.
There are numerous accounts as to why this never happened. Some say it was down to bigotry; others say it was because, much like our present-day board, the occupants of the Celtic boardroom at that time feared a voice they could not control, and who would not simply be a “yes man” for their policy platform.
Jock Stein never suffered fools gladly, regardless of their wealth, and supposed societal status. Much like Martin O’Neill said last week, I do wonder what the great man would have made of last week’s AGM, albeit from a different perspective.
O’Neill was concerned about the negative image of the club projected by the sight of fans and the board at each other’s throats. I, personally, am more worried about the utter cowardice and lack of leadership being shown by our current executives.
Much like his boss Dermot Desmond, Peter Lawwell does also have an issue with his ego. If, indeed, he is to retire, then he’ll want it to be on his own terms, and not because someone far more likeable, and with far more credit in the bank among supporters is being pushed to replace him.
I’m also not sure what Martin O’Neill will make of all this. He has been consistent ever since he came in a month ago that this was a short-term, temporary deal. A hero of the past returning for one last hurrah in the twilight of his managerial career and in his club’s hour of need.
Indeed, if O’Neill walked out of Celtic Park for the last time tonight, few would argue his brief return has been an overwhelming success.
Hearts league lead reduced to a mere fraction of what it was a month ago, Rangers dumped out of the League Cup, and perhaps most important of all, European pride restored with Celtic’s first win in The Netherlands, since O’Neill himself masterminded the downfall of Ajax in 2001.
Martin O’Neill can leave Celtic with his head held high, his reputation enhanced, and his status as a club legend absolutely set in stone eternally.
But, does he want to leave?
With each passing game, and each new press conference, you can almost see Martin O’Neill’s enthusiasm growing in real time. He clearly loves being back in charge of Celtic, though he is pragmatic enough to know that it’s not something he can do long-term, nor would he want to.
However, an executive role at Celtic would be a great way to keep Martin O’Neill’s footballing knowledge, experience and passion close at hand. He doesn’t need to guide our next manager, but I doubt there’s anyone better positioned to advise a new Celtic manager, should that manager ask for his counsel, than Martin O’Neill.
Also, bestowing the honor of the Chairmanship on a man who, long after attaining legendary status as our manager has continued to be a tremendous ambassador and advocate for Celtic through his TV and public speaking careers, would be a great way to honor all he has given us since he first entered Celtic Park 25 years ago.
It would also, in some people’s eyes, right a historic wrong. Celtic should have offered a similar role to Jock Stein. Unfortunately, he has long since left this world, and there is nothing we can do about that now.
Martin O’Neill, however, is very much still here, and he is one of an infinitesimally small number of people in Celtic’s history worthy of being spoken of in the same tones as the likes of the great Jock Stein.
So, in closing, if indeed this rumor is true, and if this idea is being suggested as a means to both honor, and keep close at hand, one of Celtic’s greatest ever managers for a wee while longer then I’m all for it.
On the other hand, if the likes of Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson think they can instantly dispel all the current animosity between fans and the board by simply putting a club legend in a suit and giving him a token seat at the top table, without any actual authority, they are very much mistaken.
An honorary chairmanship for Martin O’Neill is something I would welcome, and I think is richly deserved. But, it doesn’t even come close to solving the underlying corporate governance issues at Celtic.