Celtic's annual general meeting was abandoned after just 25 minutes on Friday as shareholders heckled board members, holding up red cards, booing, and chanting 'sack the board'. The meeting was adjourned for 30 minutes, during which pre-recorded interviews were shown, but further disruption forced its closure before any formal resolutions or a question-and-answer session could take place.
Ross Desmond, son of principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, read a statement defending the board. 'Our board, led by Peter [Lawwell], and our executive, led by Michael [Nicholson], are dedicated Celtic people,' he said. 'The attempts to dehumanise them and vilify them are shameful.' Despite his remarks, protests continued, and the meeting was ended early.
The club released a statement calling the conduct of 'a small number of individuals' unacceptable and disappointing, adding that they regretted the impact on other shareholders who were deprived of an orderly meeting. Celtic now have the option to complete necessary business in private.
The unrest stems from fan dissatisfaction with the club's management, including a perceived lack of communication and criticism over the summer transfer window. Brendan Rodgers resigned as manager in late October and has yet to be replaced, with caretaker boss Martin O'Neill watching the AGM from the top table. O'Neill described it as 'a really sad, sad morning', wondering what Jock Stein would have thought of the lack of unity.
Wilfried Nancy, currently in charge of Columbus Crew, is the favourite to succeed Rodgers, but the delay in appointing a new manager has added to fan anger. Celtic trail Hearts by seven points in the Scottish Premiership, with a game in hand, and face St Mirren on Saturday evening.
