McKay quits Parkhead ‘for personal reasons’ just months after start

Dominic McKay has stood down as Celtic chief executive just months after joining the Parkhead club.

The former chief operating officer of Scottish Rugby began work at the Glasgow club on April 19 before officially succeeding the outgoing chief executive Peter Lawwell on July 1.

However, Celtic announced yesterday that McKay, who helped bring in new manager Ange Postecoglou, has stood down from his position for personal reasons.

McKay told the club’s official website said: “I’d like to thank the board and everyone at Celtic for their support and wish everyone at Celtic every success for the future.”

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier said: “We thank Dom for his efforts on behalf of the club and everyone wishes Dom and his family very well for the future.”

Celtic’s director of legal and football affairs Michael Nicholson has been appointed to the board of Celtic plc as acting chief executive officer.

The 45-year-old joined Celtic in 2013 as company secretary and head of legal and was promoted to director of legal and football affairs in 2019.

Meanwhile Ange Postecoglou has been left short in Celtic’s centre forward department after confirming Kyogo Furuhashi is out for “at least three to four weeks” with a knee problem.

The 26-year-old, who has scored seven goals in nine games since signing from Vissel Kobe in July, picked up the injury with Japan and could miss seven matches before the next international break.

With strikers Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths having left the Parkhead club in the transfer window and new Greek signing Giorgos Giakoumakis still getting up to speed, Postecoglou is set to turn to fringe player Albian Ajeti to lead the line against visitors Ross County.

● Steven Gerrard returns to the Rangers technical area today hoping he does not have another brush with Covid-19.

The Gers boss had to isolate after a virus outbreak at the club and missed games against Alashkert and Celtic while assistant Gary McAllister and coach Michael Beale took charge.

Gerrard had to watch from home as the Gers drew 0-0 with Alashkert to clinch a Europa League group stage place before earning a 1-0 win in the Old Firm match at Ibrox.

“It’s not ideal and I don’t want to experience it again,” said Gerrard, who confirmed Ianis Hagi would miss the trip to play St Johnstone after testing positive for Covid-19.

● Hearts wing-back Michael Smith is expected to be fit for the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian tomorrow despite going off injured for Northern Ireland against Switzerland in midweek.

Dominic McKay on his arrival at Celtic Park in April.