Celtic’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond has praised incoming non-executive chairman Peter Lawwell as the 'outstanding' candidate for the role.

The two worked together closely for 17 years when Lawwell was the club's chief executive and now they are reunited.

The 63-year-old left the club in 2021 at the end of a disastrous season for the Hoops, which saw them fail to win 10-in-a-row.

He faced public scrutiny at the time for the club's decision to go to Dubai during the pandemic.

Dominic McKay was brought in to replace him as chief executive but only lasted a few months before being replaced by Michael Nicholson, who now occupies the role.

Desmond seems thrilled to have Lawwell back at the club.

He said: “I am delighted that Peter has agreed to take up the position of chairman. He is the outstanding candidate.

“Peter is a man of the highest quality, someone who has served the club already with real commitment and expertise and his experience and knowledge of the club, as well as of the wider global football environment, will help continue to drive the club forward.  

"He is perfectly placed to work with Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay and the Board to ensure we continue to compete in Scottish and European football and to manage the challenges and opportunities in a European context.

“I would also like to thank Ian Bankier for his excellent contribution to Celtic over a number of years. I join everyone at the club in wishing him and his family every success for the future.”

Following his retirement as chief executive, Lawwell has continued as a director of Celtic, representing the club as a board member of the European Club Association.

Meanwhile, Hoops forward Sead Haksabanovic 'can play even better' according to his former coach Jan Jonsson.

The Montenegrin has scored three goals so far this season and has established himself as a regular in Ange Postecoglou's starting XI.

Jonsson gave the 23-year-old his first opportunity in the professional game when he was manager of Swedish side Halmstads and he feels that the best is still come from the former Rubin Kazan man.

Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “It was clear for me Sead was going to go to a high level.

"It is right if you say that he is not at his best yet. Actually, coming up as a 15-year-old, then the following year as a 16-year-old, he played all of the games.

“So that means he is quite mature in terms of his game for his age in things like training situations, in his focus, in having both of his feet on the ground and working harder.

"He has matured quite early having been involved in the senior teams since he was so young, but the best years are still ahead of him."

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