Celtic chairman Ian Bankier to retire at the end of 2022

Ian Bankier is to retire from his position as Celtic chairman at the end of the year, the club has announced.

The businessman is to step down and leave the board of directors but says he is working to ensure a “smooth transition” after his successor is named.

Bankier has been a director of the club for more than a decade and became chairman in 2011, enjoying a period of success that has seen Celtic win ten of the last 11 league titles.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the club I will always love, as chairman, for more than ten years,” he said in a statement on the club website.

“Our aim was always to deliver success on and off the pitch and, above all, to give Celtic fans a club they could be proud of. During this time, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many fantastic people who have had Celtic in their hearts and worked so hard for our club.

“I know Dermot, Michael, and the rest of the board will continue to seek the very best for Celtic at all times and will seek to ensure that Celtic maintains its position as the biggest and best club in Scottish football, as well as progressing as a force in European football.

“I wish the Board, our fantastic manager Ange, our players and staff and, of course, all our supporters much continued success as our great club continues to move forward.”

Celtic’s majority shareholder paid tribute to Bankier, saying: “I would like to thank Ian sincerely for his contribution to Celtic across the past decade.

“Ian has provided great counsel and stability across a sustained period of growth and success for the club, and I wish Ian and his family well for the future.

“We will ensure that we work very closely with Ian over the next few months to deliver a smooth and effective transition prior to announcing his successor.”

Michael Nicholson, Celtic chief executive, added: “I would like to wish Ian the very best for the future.

“Ian has led the board with great skill and dedication during an important time in the club’s history and a period of success on and off the field.

“Throughout, Ian has been a source of constant support for all members of the board, and we are all grateful to him for that.”