Celtic announce when new chief executive Dominic McKay will begin work for Scottish football giants

Celtic have announced incoming chief executive Dominic McKay will begin working for the club later this month.

Dominic McKay is former chief operating officer of Scottish Rugby. Picture: SNS

The former chief operating officer of Scottish Rugby was originally supposed to move to Celtic Park in the summer but has decided to step down from his post at Murrayfield a couple of months early.

He will formally begin work on April 19 as he looks to assist the rebuild at Celtic Park alongside Peter Lawwelll before succeeding the outgoing chief executive on July 1.

A statement on the Celtic website read: “Further to our announcement on January 29 confirming that Dom McKay will be joining Celtic FC as our new Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2021 following the retirement of Peter Lawwell on June 30, Scottish Rugby have confirmed today that their Chief Operating Officer and the Chairman of the Guinness Pro14, McKay, will be leaving Scottish Rugby on April 16 following a successful handover.

“Peter Lawwell continues in his role as Chief Executive Officer and board member until June 30. Dom will join the Club from April 19, working with Peter and the Executive team to ensure a smooth transition, until Dom takes on the role of Chief Executive Officer and board member on July 1.”

A statement from Scottish Rugby added: “Dom leaves to join Celtic F.C with everyone at Scottish Rugby’s best wishes for this new exciting chapter in his career."

Celtic are in for a major rebuild this summer with changes throughout the club following a disastrous 2020/21 season that saw them fall short of their goal of winning ten consecutive titles.

Along with a change at the top, there will also be a new director of football and new manager. Talks with Eddie Howe to become the permanent successor to Neil Lennon are at an advanced stage.

The former Bournemouth boss is reportedly keen to bring close ally Richard Hughes will him north of the border and the two sides are negotiating which role the ex-Scotland midfielder will take in Glasgow's East End. Howe is said to be keen for Hughes to fill the director of football position.

The appointments will likely be Lawwell’s last major acts after 17 years in charge of Celtic. His replacement will join after 13 years working for Scottish Rugby. He originally joined as director of communications in 2008 before moving up to the top job in 2015.

As well as working with the new manager and director of football, he’ll also be expected to oversee a huge revamp of the first-team with stars Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard among those expected to be sold this summer.

Upon the announcement of his impending move in January, SRU chairman John Jeffrey had some glowing praise for his departing colleague.

He said: “I’d like to congratulate Dom on his new role. He has been instrumental in making Scottish Rugby a more attractive and viable commercial partner for a wide portfolio of sponsors and supporters, which in turn has helped us to increase investment across the game at all levels.

"Dominic has also worked to develop our positive relationship with the Scottish Government, which has been increasingly important during the pandemic."

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