It is fair to say that whenever he steps down from being chairman of Celtic Ian Bankier won’t have a career in stand-up.
Today’s performance at the Celtic AGM was a lesson on how not to handle the room, maybe because the hoops chairman appears to have once a year interaction with rank and file fans/shareholders.
From the very start there was a them and us atmosphere in the room with only the presence of Ange Postecoglou and Fran Alonso generating some warmth and rapport.
On script Bankier was almost passable, he delivered the words without the slightest feeling, reading through the resolutions as if he was flicking through the Phone Book.
There really wasn’t much to laugh about today, a couple of times Bankier tried to show his lighter side but even at that he ended up putting the ball in his own net with a show of support for Scott Brown.
Covering the AGM the Daily Record reports:
While Neil Lennon and Dominic McKay received not a mention, there was a recorded tribute played in honour of departed captain Scott Brown.
A cynic may suggest its placement right before the traditionally fiery Q&A was no coincidence and Bankier greeted its conclusion with a declaration Celtic “need him back”.
If the idea was to soften up the crowd, then it didn’t work.
“Should never have been allowed to leave!” came the instant rebuke from the floor, with the club’s legendary skipper now wearing the armband in Aberdeen instead of Glasgow.
It never got much better for Bankier through the Q and A from shareholders.
That was the last question. A bruised and battered Ian Bankier thanks the room.
Now a video tribute to Bertie Auld
— Celtic Underground (@celticrumours) November 17, 2021
#ticagm
Bankier not good at handling a hostile room.Anyway – Chris McKay talking about financial fair play. As recently as yesterday we were one of ten clubs discussing with UEFA new FFP rules
— Celtic Underground (@celticrumours) November 17, 2021
The only time I heard him speak was at an annual Association of Irish Celtic Supporter’s Club Dinner Dance in Dublin. Without the slightest hint of irony he told the assembled audience that his only connection with Ireland was the fact that his uncle served there with the British Army. An that was it. Some connection – should have been disconnected long ago.
He is a Unionist through and through, with all that entails.