Celtic legend John Hartson reckons Dominic McKay 's Celtic exit was sparked by fears he was being "undermined" in his role.
The CEO sensationally quit just months into his new role, with Michael Nicholson taking over the job on a temporary basis.
Record Sport understands McKay jumped before he was pushed after major players behind the scenes admitted the appointment was not working.
And with friction behind the scenes one Celtic legend fears the former Scottish Rugby chief was undermined as he looked to change things at Parkhead.
Hartson said on Go Radio: "Like a lot of people I was initially surprised, albeit nothing surprises me in football anymore.
"But of course, if it’s for family reasons he’s done absolutely the right thing because family always comes first.
"But I’m also thinking as well, you don’t walk away from a great opportunity, a great post after 72 days.
“The chief executive has to have a water-tight relationship with both the manager and the chairman. That’s ultimately what the relationship has to be. It has to be watertight between the chairman and the manager.
“Now I just think, at some stage he might have been undermined. Maybe there’s been influences within Celtic that have intervened.
“He wants to be in charge of the whole shooting match. Everything.
“And I think somebody might have been stepping on his toes. And I also think there’s a possibility that he might have just gone for that particular reason. He’s jumped.
“But in general, there’s a possibility that he might have been undermined at some stage, when he wanted to come in and make an immediate impact.
“I thought he did make a good impact, but I believe that’s a possibility as well. That’s why he left his position.”
