Dermot Desmond has given Peter Lawwell full credit for bringing Ange Postecoglou to Celtic.
The Parkhead club's principal shareholder insists the now retired CEO was adamant that the 56-year-old was the man to take the job after talks with Eddie Howe collapsed.
Postecoglou has since united a club fractured by the blow of missing out on 10 In A Row in disastrous fashion - winning the Premier Sports Cup and guiding his side within touching distance of the Premiership title.
Celtic remain in the hunt for a domestic Treble and fans have taken the Aussie to their hearts despite his initial appointment coming as a surprise.
And Desmond was keen to credit Lawwell for his insistence that Postecoglou should be on the club's five-man shortlist to replace Neil Lennon.
Desmond told Celtic TV: "What Peter and I did on a continuous basis is put five names on the list we feel could be the manager of Celtic. We always had a list of five.
"In this case we had a list of five and Ange was on the list.
"I had no idea who Ange was, I couldn't pronounce his name. Peter was insistent he was a person we should put on the list, that he had a great record.
"We pursued another manager in public. He was excellent to deal with, a person of ability and integrity, I couldn't say enough good things about him.
"But, unfortunately, for personal reasons, he couldn't take up the position. That happened at 12.30 on a Thursday and I made arrangements to speak with Ange at 5 o'clock UK time.
"I should say, prior to that, I researched quite a bit about Ange and what he'd achieved, what his type of personality is. I watched that Craig Foster interview several times, that showed he his determination, integrity, passion and individualism.
"And that he was a leader, he was a general.
"I was very pleased to interview Ange."
