Former Celtic star Frank McAvennie has taken aim at the behind-the-scenes ongoings at Celtic following the shock departure of Dom McKay as CEO.

The executive lasted just 72 days in the job at Parkhead and was tasked with rebuilding the Celtic squad as well as restructuring operations at the club.

The former rugby-associated professional had plenty to oversee at Celtic and also played a role in bringing new manager Ange Postecoglou in as Celtic boss.

As a consequence, the responsibility placed on McKay’s shoulders was burdensome and it has been widely reported that he was essentially pushed out by fellow Celtic chiefs who were unnerved by the agenda of change being ushered in by McKay.

Superficially, McKay had stepped down for ‘personal reasons’, though McAvennie has commented on the wider situation and insisted it reflects poorly on the club.

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie did not pull back any punches as he discussed the implications of the resignation:

“There are a lot of rumours flying around,” McAvennie noted.

“We need to hear exactly what happened. What I do know is that when he was head of the Rugby he took time off because he was stressed.

“That’s not a good match if you want to work for a team like Celtic. I’m just speculating, maybe he didn’t realise the size of the job.

“I honestly don’t know but Postecoglou is on his own now, some people are saying they fell out.

“I don’t know about that. He’s just walked away, it just leaves a rotten taste in the mouth.

“They have to come out and say what happened. If he didn’t get on with Dermot Desmond then fine. There is only one winner there. Just say that.”

Read Celtic Verdict

McKay faced a mammoth task and did what he could, offloading out of contract stars for seven and eight-figure sums whilst bringing in several new faces on cheap deals and free transfers.

Reinforcements were added on the wings, up front, at right-back, centre-back, midfield and in goal with Joe Hart in a rebuilding job that scarcely avoided a single spot on the pitch.

Was McKay pushed?

Yes

No

Having also brought in a progressive new manager tasked with undoing the damage of Neil Lennon’s acrimonious end to his tenure, McKay faced immense pressure.

The board has some explaining to do, with the media widely scrutinising the reasoning presently on offer.