Regrets? He's had a few, but McCann always did it his way 1 Edition

• Published in: Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland : Daily)
• Main Author: Fergus McCann looks back on his five tumultuous years at Celtic Park with chief football writer GLENN GIBBONS
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Edinburgh (UK) Scotsman Publications 14.04.1999
• ISSN: 0307-5850

'WHAT was it Nixon said? You guys won't have me to kick around any more." Fergus McCann's valediction to Celtic was borrowed from a resentful, discredited former president of the United States, but it was delivered with his trademark impish humour, with malice towards none. McCann has been an engaging subject since the day in March 1994, when he finally ousted a board of directors who had led the club to destitution and began the process which would make Celtic the most- soundly financed football organisation in Britain outside Manchester United. In our conversation in his office at Celtic Park, he was at his most garrulous when discussing the subject of his disappointments, rather than his successes. The latter, of course, are worth recounting; ranging through a GBP 40million stadium to a seven-fold increase in season ticket sales, an annual turnover multiplied by four and the construction of a cups and championship winning team which shows promise of better to come.