Celtic have agreed to pay all inhouse staff a minimum hourly pay rate of £7.85 per hour, the equivalent of the new 'Living Wage'.

However, the Parkhead club has said it would not sign up to the Living Wage scheme as it would mean "handing over decision making on salaries to another agency".

Celtic had been under pressure for over a year from sections of its own support, as well as campaigners and some politicians, to introduce a minimum of £7.65 per hour for all those employed by the club, even via outside contractors.

The club's board refused this at last year's annual general meeting, claiming it would cost in excess of £500,000 to implement.

However, at today's agm club chairman Ian Bankier said the board understood "this is an important issue and have listened" before promising the £7.85 minimum.

Chief executive Peter Lawwell later said the board could not accept the resolution put forward by supporters' shareholders group the Celtic Trust to introduce the Living Wage but would consult with staff about the new salary base.

He said those affected numbered around 180 and were primarily involved in Celtic's retail section. It will apply to all those directly employed by Celtic either on a full-time or part-time basis but not those who carry out work via outside contractors.

Jeanette Findlay, of the Celtic Trust, described the move as a positive "first step" but added the group would continue to push for full Living Wage accreditation.

Ms Findlay, who publicly ripped up a prepared speech on the issue after Mr Bankier's announcement, also said 10,000 people had signed a petition calling for the Living Wage introduction.