Celtic chief Peter Lawwell 'revelled' in Rangers' downfall
Sir David Murray has opened up on his relationship with the then-Celtic chief executive during his ownership of the Ibrox club.
The pair knew each other well through their work in the steel and mining industries before Lawwell took on the role of Celtic chief exec in 2003.
However, it was at this point that Murray claims Lawwell, now chairman of Celtic, had 'completely changed trajectory'.
In his new autobiography 'Mettle: Tragedy, Courage and Titles' - on sale from Thursday, July 3 with royalties going to Esrkine Hospital - Murray insists Lawwell held too much power with those who were influential in Scottish football.
He wrote: 'Peter was someone I knew previously. One of my companies, GM Mining, did business with Scottish Coal where Peter worked.
'I once invited him and his wife to Ibrox for a game. He was delighted to accept and back then was good company.
'But by the time he rose to become chief executive of Celtic, he was on a completely different trajectory.
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'For nearly two decades he tried to build up a seat of power and I honestly believe he was wielding far too much influence in Scottish football.
'At one point, after I sold Rangers, it seemed he was positively revelling in the demise of the club.
'With very few influential or credible figures working to Rangers' benefit he was a pivotal figure.'
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