Peter Lawwell shuts down Celtic blogger who has 'unhealthy obsession' during fiery AGM exchange

Celtic's top table came out swinging in defence of Peter Lawwell's son Mark after a shareholder took the board to task over the former recruitment chief's record.

Mark Lawwell - who identified and brought Ange Postecoglou to Parkhead - stood down as the Hoops' head of scouting in March, two years after joining from the City Group. He come under fire over the club's patchy success in the transfer market during his tenure, with Brendan Rodgers previously expressing his frustrations at last season's signings.

Celts have since overhauled their scouting department and confirmed the appointment of Paul Tisdale as head of football operations last month. But in a fiery exchange during today's AGM, well-known Celtic blogger Joe McHugh questioned chief executive Michael Nicholson on why ex-talent spotter Mark lasted so long in his role, referencing the fact he was the chairman's son.

READ MORE: Alistair Johnston pens new Celtic deal as Brendan Rodgers praises 'phenomenal' full-back

READ MORE: Kieran Tierney Celtic return would be 'unbelievable' but Scott Brown sets Arsenal challenge

That prompted a fierce defence from the club's board, including Lawwell himself who accused McHugh of having an "unhealthy obsession with me and my son". Boss Rodgers even got involved, prompting a huge round of applause from shareholders in the room.

You can read the full exchange below:

Joe McHugh: Last year, you were quite jovial when asked about the appointment of Mark Lawwell as the head of recruitment. After three disastrous transfer windows, when did you first get concerned about the performance of the chairman's son? And at what point did you decide that you had to sack the chairman's son?

Peter Lawwell: Can I first come in. This is a highly personal question. Joe writes a blog and Joe has got an unhealthy obsession with me and my son, that's the background. So I'm not going to give this question any credibility by answering it. I will pass to Michael, if you keep that in mind, where Joe's coming from please.

Michael Nicholson: This is a meeting to discuss Celtic. It's not a meeting to discuss unwarranted personal attacks on any of our colleagues or former colleagues. Last year I wasn't jovial, I was very serious about the decision that we'd made to bring Mark to the club. Those decisions we stand by. The collective that we worked with over the last period of time is, as I say, a collective responsibility. When Mark decided to leave to pursue other opportunities, we were sorry to see him go. Brendan and I worked very closely with Mark. And as I say, that's not jovial, that's a statement of fact. So fair enough.

Brendan Rodgers interrupts: Can I just come in on that... Mark done a fantastic job here at Celta. Every player that comes into here will not succeed. I think if you look at Mark's influence on bringing in Ange Postecoglou was huge. If that was his only contribution to here, then he did a fantastic job. But he didn't. He was influenced from bringing in other players, like Ali Johnson and some of these other guys. All the players won't work out that come in here, and I know that as a manager and as a coach. My experience of working with Mark was second to none. He decided to go down a different route, and I respect that. But I also sit here and he's defence because he's a massive Celtic supporter. Like Peter, from a Celtic family, who want nothing but the best for Celtic. Sometimes in that role as recruitment, like it is as a manager, you bring in a player, and it just might not quite work out for whatever reason. But finally, what I do know is that his intention was for the very, very best for Celtic. And for that, that's why I will defend him.

Shareholders applaud.

Joe McHugh: Absolutely no doubts about his intentions, but the seven summer permanent assignments last year weren't the greatest. You're barely touching any of them, but I'm not here to question you.