Martin O'Neill joined the Celtic board for a two-hour grilling at the Greenock Supporters Club, where questions centred on his future and the club's transfer plans.
Fans are awaiting the announcement of the club's AGM after last year's event descended into farce and was cut short by former non-executive chairman Peter Lawwell. A date for this year's meeting is yet to be confirmed.
Board members in attendance
O'Neill was joined by CEO Michael Nicholson, interim chairman Brian Wilson, chief financial officer Chris McKay, Mark Hargreaves, head of safety, security and operations, and Paul Mazoyer, head of business operations. The meeting came off the back of a shock 2-0 weekend defeat to Falkirk.
Questions naturally centred on O'Neill's future after results and performances in recent weeks. One fan in attendance took to social media to offer a summary of what was said: "Martin has a year with an option. That's a continuing discussion. MN (Michael Nicholson) was very enthusiastic about the Jan window in terms of cash to spend."
Transfer scrutiny and communication concerns
Transfer business has been a particular bone of contention in recent years, with fans at loggerheads with the club over a perceived lack of strategic planning, spending compared to transfer income received, and the time taken to get deals done.
Kasper Hogh's lack of goals and general displays following his club record switch from Bodo/Glimt has ramped up the scrutiny, and this was alluded to in the response to questions on transfer business: "Arne Engels was discussed along with the challenge around a defensive midfielder. It was discussed around the jury being out on certain players and how certain players have hit the ground running."
A lack of communication between club chiefs and fans is not a new issue and was addressed before, with supporters still not satisfied that things have actually improved on that front. Another summary stated: "The main thing that they kept coming back to was communication and they know they need to do better. I know we've heard it all before but that's why they were there tonight. It's a change. It wasn't an easy night for them but it was respectful which helped the conversation."
Desmond questions and AGM outlook
Dermot Desmond has been a lightning rod for much of the fan fury this season, with the Celtic Fans Collective this week demanding that the Irishman make his first AGM appearance in two decades. Son Ross was sent last year to read a prepared statement which did not go down well.
CEO Nicholson was asked about being "beholden" to the tycoon: "He was asked about being beholden to DD and he said he's not and (Chris) McKay was then asked the same question and said it was categorically untrue what's been written. They managed to avoid part of the question about Brendan statement. They said the Brendan narrative is so different to what actually happened too. But legally and contractually they can't say much about it."
The fan added: "They clearly need to make big changes in how they operate and the proof will be in the pudding with that but they sat for 2 hours taking questions. I'd say the exchange was better than you'd get at any AGM."
