Peter Lawwell is to stand down as chairman of Celtic, citing “abuse” and “threats” from fans as the reason.

Former chief executive Lawwell will bring a 21-year association with the club to an end at the end of the month, non-executive director Brian Wilson stepping in as interim chairman from 31 December until a permanent successor is found.

The Celtic board has been the target of protests by an increasingly disillusioned fan base which has seen the team eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers after an uninspiring summer transfer window and lose to St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup Final.

It has been reported that Lawwell’s home address was published online over the weekend, weeks after he called a premature halt to the club’s AGM after further protests from shareholders in the room.

In addition, new manager Wilfried Nancy has endured the worst start to a managerial reign in the club’s history, losing his first four games in charge to trail Premiership leaders Hearts.

Celtic’s woes continued tonight with defeat at Dundee United that leaves them six points behind Hearts.

“I believe that my 18 years as chief executive and three years as chairman at the club have shown my ability to meet and overcome challenges on many fronts, but abuse and threats from some sources have increased and are now intolerable,” Lawwell said.

“They have dismayed and alarmed my family. At this stage in my life, I don’t need this. I cannot accept this and so I leave the club I have loved all my life.

“The motivations and aims of these detractors can be investigated by others. I prefer to look back on my career at Celtic with deep gratitude and satisfaction.”

Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond said: “I am personally very sorry to lose Peter as our chairman, but I understand and respect his decision in light of recent events and what he has endured.

“As chief executive, Peter was the driving force of the club and, in his later role as chairman, he oversaw board affairs. Peter has witnessed 38 cup or title triumphs in his time at the club, a period of extraordinary domestic dominance for us as we have also competed in European football.”