ERIC RILEY has resigned from the position of financial director at Celtic and will officially stand down on December 31.

Riley has held the role for 21 years and will continue to serve on the board as a non-executive director until June 2016 to help oversee the appointment of his successor.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and prostate cancer in 2011 and currently serves on the board of the Scottish Professional Football League.

"To assist with a smooth transition to a new financial director, with effect from 1 January 2016, Eric will be appointed as a non-executive director of the Company," said a club statement. "Eric will fulfil this role until 30 June 2016 at which point he will step down as a non-executive director of the Company. Eric will also remain as a non-executive director of The Celtic Football and Athletic Company Limited.

"The Company is in the process of identifying and recruiting a suitable replacement for Eric as financial director and will make further announcements in this regard in due course."

Ian Bankier, the chairman of Celtic, has reported himself happy that Riley will remain involved with the club during a transitional spell behind the scenes.

"We would like to thank Eric for his huge commitment to the company as financial director," he said. "Eric has served Celtic with distinction for over 21 years and will continue to do so until his retirement from the company.

"During his time here, he has played a vital role in the development and growth of the company and has also made a very meaningful and unstinting contribution to the successful promotion of the game in Scotland. We are grateful that Eric has agreed to stay on the board until the end of the financial year.

"The company and the new financial director will greatly benefit from his knowledge and experience during this period."