Rest in Peace — Celtic chairman has passed away, the club has confirmed!

Before the tributes and official confirmations began to circulate, there had already been a quiet recognition within Scottish football circles that a significant figure from Celtic’s modern history had been unwell.

Figures connected to the club’s past and present often remain closely linked long after their formal involvement ends, and news of former board members is always met with reflection, particularly when their influence stretches across multiple decades of change at Parkhead.

Kelly’s era at Celtic covered a period of major transition behind the scenes, with the club navigating both financial uncertainty and long-term planning decisions that would eventually shape the modern identity of Celtic Park. His involvement in boardroom discussions during that time left a lasting imprint on key structural decisions.

Former Celtic chairman Kevin Kelly has passed away, the club has confirmed.

Kelly served at board level for more than three decades between 1971 and 1994, including a spell as chairman from 1991 until 1994. He was also a lifelong supporter and the descendant of club great James Kelly, Celtic’s first-ever captain.

In a statement, Celtic said: “Celtic Football Club can confirm that former Chairman, Kevin Kelly, passed away peacefully yesterday morning after a short illness.

“Kevin was Celtic Chairman from 1991-1994, and a director and passionate supporter of the club over many years.

“Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s family at this very difficult time.”

Beyond his administrative duties, Kelly was also heavily involved in strategic discussions during the early 1990s, a period when Celtic were weighing up major infrastructure plans that could have significantly altered the club’s future direction.

One of the most notable projects under consideration at the time involved potential relocation options, with serious thought given to a move to Cambuslang before those proposals were ultimately abandoned in favour of redeveloping Celtic Park into the modern stadium fans know today.

Kelly stepped down from the board in 1994 following Fergus McCann’s takeover of the club.