It's that time of year again as Celtic prepare to host another AGM.
The mood music around Parkhead could hardly be more different to 12 months ago when the club's powerbrokers were facing the full wrath of a disenfranchised support who had watched their 10 In A Row dream crumble before their very eyes. The appointment of Ange Postecoglou has proven to be the catalyst for a rapid turnaround in fortunes, with the club having wrested back the Premiership title and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in five seasons.
Postecoglou's swashbuckling side have captured hearts and minds but, as always at a club of Celtic's size, fans will be eager to hear how the club will consolidate and build on a position of strength. Michael Nicholson 's arrival as CEO has coincided with a successful run of hits in the transfer market and punters will get to hear from him, while the question of who will replace the outgoing Ian Bankier as chairman will also be addressed one way or another.
Here, Record Sport takes a look at five vital questions ahead of the AGM on Friday, November 4.
New chairman revealed?
With current incumbent Bankier preparing to head off into retirement come the New Year, expect some update on who will succeed the long-serving chairman. Bankier has held the position for 11 years, overseeing one of the most successful periods in Celtic's history.
It means, therefore, that the appointment of who comes next is no small matter. There have been whispers that former chief-executive Peter Lawwell could return to the club to take up the post.
But could a revelation be made at the AGM itself? The weeks and months are ticking down until Bankier's departure and fans will expect clarity soon rather than later.
Bankier has been the frontman of these events and has never been short of sharing his opinion – with his "deep concern" soundbite about referees a standout 12 months ago. So what will his farewell bring? Well you can hang your hat on another cracker as Bankier goes out with a bang. Punters will likely be asking the board's views on VAR after video technology arrived in Scotland. The no call against Hearts a fortnight ago will likely be a topic of conversation when shareholders speak.
Ange's long term vision
Speaking of future plans, supporters will get a chance to hear from their beloved boss and how he wishes to shape the next stages of his project. Postecoglou has repeatedly stated that his vision for the club is long-term and that last season's Double-winning success was only the very beginning.
Three transfer windows down, this is now very much the Greek-Aussie's team and he will have more up his sleeve in terms of transfers come the January window. Also expect Postecoglou to reflect on Celtic's Champions League campaign, one that has left fans with some mixed feelings.
A first outing on the very biggest stage after five years of absence was always going to be a sizeable challenge and that's been reflected in Celtic finishing bottom of their group without a win. And yet there's a palpable sense of 'what could have been' with Postecoglou's players acquitting themselves well more often than not, including against European champions Real Madrid at Celtic Park.
The manager has stated the only way to improve at the highest level is to continually qualify and it's clearly a target he feels is achievable, so expect to hear from Postecoglou on how the club can make that vision a regular reality.
The Dermot Desmond question
Celtic's principal shareholder has rarely been at these occasions and his absence last year, the first AGM since they blew 10 In A Row, sparked considerable anger among some fan groups. His son, Ross Desmond, has generally stood in for his father and it again seems likely the man in charge will not be present.
The levels of strife at Celtic Park are nowhere near 2020/21 horrorshow and that will perhaps lessen the clamour to hear from Desmond this time around. But there would be a certain galvanising effect to be absorbed from the Irish billionaire addressing the rank-and-file shareholders with an update of real substance.
A word from the CEO
It'll be the first time Celtic fans will have heard directly from Nicholson since his permanent appointment as chief executive in September 2021. The club's former director of legal and football affairs stepped into the breach, initially on an interim basis, when Dominic McKay exited stage left after just three months.
Nicholson was regarded as a key cog in the Parkhead machine even before he stepped up but had little in the way of a public profile. His relationship with Postecoglou, however, is in little doubt. The Celtic boss has been effusive in his praise of Nicholson over the past year, particularly when it comes to transfers.
An endorsement from Ange carries about as much weight as is possible with the Celtic support, so punters will be listening keenly as Nicholson sets out his plan for the future.
Question time
The wildcard section of the AGM and one that never fails to throw up some curve balls as the meeting is opened up to the floor. We can perhaps expect some questions on the project at Barrowfield.
Celtic received the all-clear last September to build new changing rooms and a gym at the training complex in Glasgow's east end. Two months later the green light was also given to building a full-size indoor training pitch and shareholders will be keen for an update.
That aside, shareholder questions can throw up just about anything. The board were given a serious grilling last year in the wake of the disastrous 2020/21 campaign but will be hoping for an easier ride this time around given the club has been on a solid upward trajectory since the arrival of Postecoglou.
One issue that could crop up is the prospect of a viable ticket hub system. There's been some frustration among supporters at empty seats even at matches which have been advertised as sold out. But it would be remiss to rule anything out. Punters have a knack of taking the debate in a variety of unexpected directions.
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