'You saved our club!' - Roger Mitchell's emotional goodbye to Fergus McCann and BRUTAL response

Graham talks to Roger Mitchell about his relationship with Fergus McCann during their SPL days, including a request to write the businessman a reference for the Canadian authorities.

[@spinozacelt]

McCann was all business in everything he did re Celtic.He didnt court popularity,which went down like a lead balloon with certain journos in Glesca,and if you coukdn’t bring something to the table he wasn’t interested in you. However,Fergus did EXACTLY what he said he would do-restructure and recapitalise the club,build the stadium and win the Championship.Yes he walked away with a tidy profit however that’s because the clubs’ value was hugely greater than when he took over.He’s a legend among the Celtic fans.Even among those who booed him that day he unfurled the Championship flag at CP……..🙄

[@Kevin-l4]

In the long history of Celtic FC there are many people who done great things for the club ,some achieved legendary status but only once we're we in need of saving . Fergus saved our club and I will forever be in his debt . We were one hour from the end, and he put his own money on the line with others it should be said, and should never be forgotten.

[@frankbrennan1619]

We also NEEDED saving back in January 1952 & in the weeks that followed, when there was the most evil, Masonic, anti - Irish, anti - Catholic plot to put Celtic Football Club permanently out of business for flying the Irish tricolour at Celtic Park & it was very much a close run thing that we didn't go out of business for good & we didn't because of the strong, principled, stance then Celtic Chairman Robert Kelly took on the matter & although he was not the most popular figure amongst the then Celtic support, they knew just like him, their very Irishness & their Catholicism & who they were as a community, were sought to be permanently erased by evil, hateful, Masonic bigots & so both unpopular Chairman & fans were totally united...

[@barcabhoy7193]

We were never 1 hour from the end, despite the narrative that’s been doing since. We were 1 hour from BoS applying to put Celtic into Administration, which takes about 2 weeks, and we would have come out of Administration, as there were many people waiting to help. Fergus was our best option and we’re much stronger because of him, but we were never folding as a club.

[@liamdevine8063]

Sometimes in football, in business, in life - it's the very thing that you don't want to do that you must do to avoid the reality you dread. Fergus professionalised Celtic, he made the club into a business first and foremost. This to many was heresy and you can understand why. We feared capitlisitc change because we understand how capitalism erodes culture. And often, it felt like this is what Fergus was doing. But he had the vision to remake Celtic FC without first killing the club. It took immense sacrifice from everyone, it meant cherished principles must be shed in order to protect the primary principle, Celtic FC's flourishment. It's a point of immense irony that Celtic's tormenters at the time, are now the tormented. And now they are reckoning with their culture, their existence and their future. Now THEY desperately need a leader like Fergus, but where do you find a character so rare? I have no idea, but i'll tell you where you don't find him, in a local masonic social club with any of the current ownership group.

[@Helios72487]

The Bunnet sowed the seeds, for the sustained dominance, over the rest of Scottish football. A stadium, that year on year, provides the club with a significant financial advantage. At the time many felt Fergus had lined his pockets handsomely. I sincerely hope he did, as his vision and tenacity, where worth every thin dime.

[@barcabhoy7193]

He did, he walked away with 10s of millions

[@JamesyWaddell]

The "Wee Man" Fergus, made sure we would at least generate £6 Million pounds a season more than Rangers by insisting on a 60,000 seater stadium. Great foresight as Ibrox was only around 45,000 seats at the time. So counting 10,000 extra season tickets every year Celtic were always guaranteed for the top of Scottish Football. God Bless Fergus McCann. Great to see his plan come to fruition after going through the 90s...Hail Hail.

[@ACM-sp1gh]

It's a disgrace there isn't a staute of Fergus outside parkhead... without him there ain't shit

[@barcabhoy7193]

He’s been offered a few times and refused

[@JamesyWaddell]

@@barcabhoy7193 How are you doing barcabhoy. Are you the same commenter from the Rangers Tax Case. If so i enjoyed reading your comments..Cheers.

[@barcabhoy7193]

@@JamesyWaddell Hi Jamesy. All good, hope you are too. Not me, no.