Ange Postecoglou has been tight with Michael Nicholson from the minute he walked into Celtic.
And the Aussie believes the synergy between the duo can help him get the club to the high levels that he aspires and demands.
Postecoglou has got a squad playing for him. Together, they have delivered a trophy already after clinching the Premier Sports Cup.
The boss also has the supporters on his side with his straight talking and his exciting brand of football.
But, in the modern game, he’s fully aware that the relationship between manager and the key men in the boardroom is crucial to success.
In his words, there needs to be alignment in the thought process.
With these factors in mind, Postecoglou is delighted to be working alongside Nicholson.
Dominic McKay was the CEO when the gaffer arrived last summer having taken the post from Peter Lawwell.
But, when his brief spell in Glasgow’s East End ended in September, Nicholson began acting in the key position.
Now that switch has been cemented with the 45-year-old taking the reins on a full-time basis and it’s just the continuation of a good thing in the eyes of Postecoglou.
The manager says the new CEO was significantly involved with many of the 12 signings that were made in the last transfer window and explained: “From the moment I was appointed, I have worked very closely with him.
“I’ve already been working with Michael and I am delighted for him, first of all.
“He’s worked for the club for a while and for his whole family it is obviously a massive role when you are the CEO of Celtic Football Club.
“I think there is a bit of synergy there with the way Michael thinks and the way that I think.
“So I am pleased to have him on board and I think he is going to be fantastic for the club.”
Postecoglou has clear ideas for Celtic. He has his plans, but, like any manager, he needs backing from his hierarchy to try and complete them.
It’s why the connection between a boss and chairman or a CEO needs to be strong.
When asked if it’s just as important as a bond with players, Postecoglou said: “In some situations, it is even more important. It is crucial.
“Because, whatever vision I have for the club and the kind of team that I want us to be, that has to be supported.
“I cannot do it on my own. No manager can do it on their own.
“We rely on other people in the club in key roles such as Michael or Chris McKay and others to get these deals done and support my vision.
“If we are not aligned, or if there is a difference of opinion there, it can make my job awfully hard.
“Like I said, from the moment I arrived, even though Michael wasn’t CEO, he was involved in a lot of deals when we got players in.
“I really felt comfortable working with him, really supported by him and that’s crucial for us.”
Nicholson has been at Celtic since 2013 when he took on the role of company secretary and head of legal.
Six years later, he was promoted to the position of director of legal and football affairs before this latest move into the CEO role.
As well as Nicholson’s switch which was rubber stamped at the tail end of last week, MacKay, the club’s finance director and member of the board, assumed the role of chief financial officer with a broader range of executive responsibilities.
Postecoglou has offered his reasons as to why he thinks the relationships are strong and feels he’s got the support.
But he’s also accepting of the fact that, if things are to keep working well, there will be times when he doesn’t always get the answer that he wants or needs to hear.
Frank discussions and honesty between manager’s room and boardroom are the ingredients to cook up success at a club and Postecoglou is living proof that authenticity is the cherished trait when it comes to people in positions of power at huge clubs.
The manager is convinced that any decisions taken going forward by Nicholson will be done with the very best interests of Celtic at the top of the thought process.
Postecoglou said: “I don’t want to speak on his behalf. When he needs to be, he’s got real firm views on what is best for this football club. And he won’t be shy in saying them.
“But I think the main thing about anyone in a key role is just to be yourself. To be authentic and I think people will appreciate that. That’s what Michael is.
“He loves this football club, he wants the best for it. He’s been here for quite a while, he’s seen a lot of success, he worked through the challenges of last year, he’s been involved in this, so he’s seen the full spectrum of what this club is and that experience is brilliant for him to take forward.
“He’s very much his own man and he will do it his way. But supporters will appreciate that because the main thing about him is that he will do what is right by this club.”
