The incident that proves Celtic Trust's claims over Dermot Desmond power problem

The Celtic Trust believe Dermot Desmond has too much power among the top brass at the club. The majority shareholder is currently at odds with the fans over how the club is being run, and a recent protest from fans at a golf event he took part in didn't exactly smooth things over.

It's all eyes on December 1 now as far as the civil war between fans and the board goes, with the Celtic AGM set to take place. Last year's edition was a total disaster, with Desmond's son Ross sparking backlash with his statements that led to the meeting being called to an end early.

Fans have been hoping Desmond senior would attend this year's meeting, but it was a pipe dream, given he has not attended an AGM for two decades.

Supporters have major issues with how the club is being run, with a clear lack of long-term strategy from the club currently. That has been shown by the last two summer transfer windows, which have been painfully inefficient.

But the board has been stubborn in its decision-making, rarely willing to take criticism on board and they have typically refused to communicate with fans.

There are also clear signs that the board are completely under the thumb of Desmond, which Celtic Trust chairman Paul Wilcox has highlighted.

He told The Herald: “It just appears to be that he says jump, and they say how high. And that is not a sustainable way to be a football club.”

That point was perfectly illustrated by the club's statement in response to the golf protest, which so clearly came from Desmond. It was an angry, ill-tempered statement that any decent executive will have known was going to be a PR disaster. But it was released anyway, which makes it clear who has the final say at the football club.

Wilcox added on the topic of the AGM: “Dermot Desmond is the one who should be turning up to these meetings, and he has not attended a Celtic AGM in 20 years. That is shocking for someone that is a non-executive director that’s accountable to shareholders.”

Frustrations continue to rise over Desmond's lack of attendance, and it's unlikely the Irishman is going to be willing to walk into a room to face intense criticism on December 1. That 20-year figure is extremely likely to become 21, and it is perhaps even likely that Desmond has already attended his last AGM at Parkhead.