Celtic's principal shareholder Dermot Desmond has not attended a match in a calendar year, leaving supporters frustrated as the team struggles under manager Martin O'Neill, with a Europa League clash against Besiktas approaching.
Desmond was last seen in the directors' box on October 29, 2025, when O'Neill began his tenure with a 4-0 win over Falkirk, following Brendan Rodgers' departure. Since then, his only public appearance was at the Old Course in St Andrews. This absence has led to growing concerns among fans about the club's direction.
Fan discontent and team struggles
Celtic have won only three of their last nine matches in all competitions. Captain Callum McGregor has spoken about the confusing nature of team selection and tactical approach, while Cameron Carter-Vickers earlier referred to the "random" nature of the team's work. O'Neill used his Friday press conference to say he was waiting for certain players to adapt to their positions, but fans are not so patient.
The Europa League tie at home to Besiktas on Thursday night raises questions not about whether Celtic will win their first points, but by how many goals the Turkish side will defeat them. Celtic sit second-bottom in the 36-team Europa League table, above only Ararat, and have lost credibility on the European stage while faltering domestically.
Player concerns and transfer failures
O'Neill stated Kasper Hogh would score 20 goals this season, but at his current rate, the Dane would need to score a goal a game until the end of the season to hit that target. The squad on the night Desmond last attended contained players such as Kasper Schmeichel, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels, all of whom have gone without adequate replacement.
Fans have also boycotted home matches in Europe, which will again diminish the attendance on Thursday. The sense of despair at the failure to beat Dundee United at home on Wednesday will be heightened if a re-energised Falkirk deny Celtic more league points today.
Banner suggestion and standards
Desmond has Celtic in a headlock, with the club drifting from one form of reputational damage to another. A banner unfurled by Manchester United fans during their loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford contained one word, nine letters: "Standards." If Celtic fans had a banner for Falkirk today, a suggestion would be "Decline. Decay. Desmond."
The reference to decline and decay is unarguable, and both afflictions are taking place on Desmond's watch. Standards have fallen dramatically at Celtic Park, and the defending champions sit above Rangers in the table, which says more about the poor quality of the league than the team's performance.
