Dermot Desmond given a perfectly reason request from Celtic Fans Collective

Dermot Desmond over the past year or so has twice posted long statements on the clubs official website, relating to the departure of Brendan Rodgers from the club and then the fan protest at St Andrews Old Course which involved throwing some tennis balls onto the green during a round of golf.

The Irish billionaire seems to be the man running the show at Celtic and dating back to at least the appointment of Martin O’Neill over 25 years ago, he has been the main man at Celtic in terms of hiring and sometimes firing managers.

His role in the transfer dealing at the club appear to go well beyond the remit of a non executive director although that may not be the case so by attending the AGM for the first time in many years, Dermot Desmond can speak directly to shareholders in the room and thereafter the wider support to clarify what he does and does not get involved in regarding the operational activities of the football club.

So it seems a perfectly reasonable request by the Celtic Fans Collective who today also confirmed that within their organisation they have six fan organisations, 168 Celtic Supporters Clubs, 36 Fan Media and Online Platforms and 2,848 Independent Supporters.

Here’s today’s statement in full from the Celtic Fans Collective…

For twenty years, Dermot Desmond has not attended Celtic’s Annual General Meeting, despite wielding considerable influence over the direction and decision-making of our club. Although only a minority shareholder, Desmond appears to exercise influence far beyond his shareholding. With that influence comes a responsibility to be accountable.

We call on Dermot Desmond to publicly commit to attending the 2026 AGM in person and answer questions about his role in the running of Celtic Football Club. Sending his son, another representative or a prepared statement in his place is no substitute for attending personally.

The decision by Peter Lawwell to prematurely conclude last year’s AGM left a clear impression among supporters that the Board had taken an opportunity to avoid scrutiny. Responsibility for how that meeting was conducted and ultimately concluded rests entirely with the Board.

This year, however, the focus must be firmly on scrutiny rather than protest. There is a clear understanding across the support that the AGM must provide the opportunity for important questions to be put directly to those running the Club, without allowing scrutiny to be evaded once again.

Celtic supporters have repeatedly sought meaningful dialogue and a more constructive relationship with the Club. At a time when fans want to see decisive leadership, a public commitment from Dermot Desmond to attend the AGM in good faith would be an important demonstration of his willingness to engage directly with supporters and shareholders.

Celtic Fans Collective