Fergus McCann dedicates New Year’s Honour to Celtic supporters

Fergus McCann has dedicated his New Year’s Honour to the Celtic support.

The former Celtic managing director was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the economy and charity.

The Kilsyth-born businessman returned from Canada to lead a takeover of Celtic in 1994 and rescue the club from serious financial peril.

He returned to live in North America five years later having modernised the club and redeveloped Celtic Park into a 60,000 all-seated stadium, leaving a platform for the team to dominate Scottish football.

Reacting to his recognition in the New Year’s Honours list, McCann said on Celtic’s website: “It shows the importance of Celtic to people across the UK and elsewhere.

“I see it as recognition of the club’s supporters who backed it so strongly during my time and since then to make it the driving force in Scottish football, and a financial success in the Glasgow economy with top quality leadership and 1,000 great employees.

“And it is national recognition of the work of the club’s charitable foundation, backed by these same supporters who have funded its projects to make it a real help in the lives of thousands living on the margins.”

Former Celtic full-back Jim Craig was also honoured with an Order of the British Empire.

Craig initially joined Celtic as an amateur player from Glasgow University Football Club while studying to become a dentist and won 15 major trophies, including the 1967 European Cup.

The 82-year-old, who is a club ambassador for Celtic, said: “I am highly delighted and humbled to receive my OBE in recognition of my services to Scottish football and charity.

“My sincere thanks to those who supported this award and my continued love to all the supporters worldwide and thanks to the board, management, backroom staff and the players.”