THE news sent shock saves throughout the Celtic support last Friday.
New Hoops chief executive Dominic McKay stood down from the club for 'personal reasons' after just a matter of months in his new position.
The former Scottish Rugby Union director was headhunted as the person to replace long-term chief Peter Lawwell this summer.
The Ayrshire-born business-operator was drafted in prior to the completion of last season to allow for time to bed his way into the job under Lawwell.
On July 1, McKay became the head honcho at Parkhead as Lawwell officially left Celtic.
However, he lasted just 72-days in his new role and the club are once again searching for a lead figurehead.
Here are five candidates Celtic could potentially turn to in the wake of McKay's departure.
Michael Nicholson
Nicholason is the current acting chief executive of Celtic after last week's surprise news.
He certainly knows the inner-workings of the club, having been there since 2013.
Lawwell drafted him in having been a previous partner with law firm Harper Macleod.
His first role at Parkhead was as company secretary - a job title he held for more then six years.
In December 2019 he was appointed to the new post of director of legal and football affairs.
Ross Desmond
One of club owner Dermot Desmond's sons, Ross was murmured to have been in the running prior to McKay's eventual appointment.
He was spotted at the club's AGM just two years ago, so he clearly has played a part in the running of Celtic in recent times.
However, Ross' exact role at the club has never been officially detailed.
Ramon Vega
The Swiss studied for a business degree in his early footballing days.
After retirement from playing, he moved into the finance sector - joining an assets management company as a partner before setting up his own.
He does still keep his hand in the football industry though, having worked in an advisory role for various clubs through Europe.
It is also believed he aimed to run for FIFA presidency in the past, but he failed to secure the backing of the required five national football associations.
Read more: What were Dom McKay's Celtic plans before shock Parkhead exit
So Vega's combination of football and business knowledge could be the perfect remedy to the situation at Celtic.
Former Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar is a prime example of a retired professional making a success of things in the boardroom.
The Dutchman is currently the CEO at Ajax and has helped sell various assets at the club for large profits including Donny van de Beek.
Brett Desmond
Another of club powerbroker Dermot's sons, Brett is probably the most well-known.
He is the eldest of Dermot's boys.
Brett is currently the director of a specialist Canadian mining company called Mountain Province Diamonds - with Dermot the business' majority shareholder.
Brett is also married to Andrea Corr, who is lead signer of Irish pop band 'The Corrs'.
Susan Whelan
Whelan, from Dublin, is currently chief executive at Leicester City - where Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed much success since joining from Celtic in February 2019.
She is credited with having a huge off-field influence during the Foxes' title miracle in 2016.
Rodgers has previously praised Whelan for his operational skills - which is something that will interest Celts fans considering his relations with the Parkhead hierarchy became strained towards the end of his tenure.
He commented: From Top (Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha) to Susan, in her role in terms of balancing everything between the financial side and the running of the actual business, to Jon on the football element, it's been excellent."
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