Celtic chairman says board shares fans’ transfer frustrations

CELTIC chairman Peter Lawwell insists he and his fellow-directors shared fans’ frustrations over the recent transfer window as the club’s interim report revealed they had £67.3 million in the bank at the turn of the year.

The Premiership champions bought winger Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna and signed Adam Idah on loan from Norwich last month, while selling David Turnbull and allowing the likes of Mikey Johnston to leave on loan.

Lawwell, his son Mark (head of recruitment), and the board in general were on the end of vocal barracking from fans immediately after the window closed and the criticism has intensified after draws with Aberdeen and Kilmarnock allowed Rangers to top the table.

But Lawwell has claimed the market was not favourable in January. The chairman revealed the cash balance had fallen by £5m and stated a “significant proportion”of the remainder is committed to work at the Barrowfield and Lennoxtown training grounds plus “future stadium expenditure”.

“The board recognises the inherent inefficiencies of holding excess cash, and, in conjunction with other cash commitments, the importance of investing in strengthening the team to deliver football success,” he added.

“The board shares the fans’ frustrations regarding the less-than-anticipated activity in the recent transfer window.

“Since the opening of the window in June 2023, and up to the end of the winter window which closed on February 2024, we have committed £23.9m in player investment. We renewed and extended the contracts of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liel Abada, Matt O’Riley, Anthony Ralston and Reo Hatate.”

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell.