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Celtic have announced that chief executive Peter Lawwell will retire at the end of the season.<\/p>\nCeltic have announced that chief executive Peter Lawwell will retire at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
Lawwell, 61, has held the post since 2003, overseeing 13 Premiership titles and four domestic trebles at Parkhead.<\/p>\n
Scottish Rugby\u2019s chief operating officer Dominic McKay will take over from Lawwell in July. McKay was promoted to the role of CEO in 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been an enormous privilege to have served the club and our supporters for more than 17 years \u2013 a wonderful honor to have been part of an institution I have loved and supported all my life,\u201d Lawwell told Celtic\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will always be very proud of what we have achieved together and it has been a particular privilege to be involved throughout a period in the club\u2019s history which has brought immense domestic success \u2013 as well as so many great European nights at Celtic Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything we have aimed for and achieved has been for everyone associated with the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cCeltic\u2019s reputation is built on three pillars \u2013 success on the field of play, sound business management, and a real and sincere charitable ethos, building on the club\u2019s founding traditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy objective has always been to maintain and strengthen all three in order to ensure that the club is both successful in the short term and in the long term, and is handed down to future generations in the best possible condition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celtic, the nine-in-a-row champions, are currently 23 points behind league leaders Rangers with three games in hand.<\/p>\n
Lawwell added: \u201cI first discussed the possibility of my retirement with the chairman last year and we were keen to ensure an orderly handover to a new CEO once we had found the right candidate.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that the process to select Dominic McKay as my successor is complete, I feel the time is now right to announce my retirement at the end of this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe the club have identified an excellent successor with the highest integrity who will bring substantial experience and enthusiasm to the role.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike every Celtic supporter, I am disappointed that, so far, this season has not worked out in the way we all hoped for, despite our best efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goal will be to work with Dominic in order to make changes as smoothly as possible and maintain a focus on continued success on the field of play. Together, our main priority will now be to ensure a seamless transition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celtic Chairman Ian Bankier added: \u201cOn behalf of the Celtic Board of Directors, I would like to thank Peter for his monumental contribution to Celtic and its success during the past 17 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeter has given his life to our cause during his term of office, delivering a period of unprecedented success to the club on and off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe will be regarded as a man who has played a pivotal role in our history and we should always respect the huge impact he has had on the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the announcement of his new role, McKay told the Scottish Rugby website: \u201cJoining Celtic FC as chief executive is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a new challenge I am very excited about taking on later this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been incredibly impressed with the vision and people within the club and I look forward to working with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI can honestly say I have enjoyed the best 13 years of my life at Scottish Rugby and made life-long friends across the sport and all its numerous Unions, partners, broadcasters and sponsors.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been a huge privilege to work with such a talented and passionate group of people over this time.\u201d<\/p>\n