Peter Martin on the Dermot Desmond selling up rumour

Peter Martin has claimed that Dermot Desmond is ‘gearing up for a sale’.

The Irish businessman has built up a 34% stake in Celtic which is effectively much more with around 20% of the shares in the club dormant.

None of the current Celtic directors has any worthwhile shareholding in the club which results on them leaning on Desmond for guidance.

Martin O’Neill has twice been appointed interim manager of Celtic and has been quiet open that the initial contact on both occasions came from Desmond.

DESMOND- CELTIC’S BIGGEST SHAREHOLDER

Celtic’s share structure is a complicated business with Desmond building his stake up after initially investing in January 1995 then becoming the biggest individual shareholder when Fergus McCann sold up in 1999.

Two further share issues consolidated his stake in the club although he us rarely seen at Celtic Park.

Desmond hasn’t attended an AGM since 2006, his last matchday was in December when he made a sharp exit from the Europa League defeat from Roma.

I’ve been speaking to some financial people who clearly feel… you always try and second-guess the endgame on this.

You know the Hearts [plan], because they outlined at the start of the season, to much ridicule, that this is year one of a plan towards trying to win the league and not [having] Celtic and Rangers dominating.

You know the Rangers plan because it’s now an American one, where they’ve distanced themselves from that old guard of six or seven investors all fighting for power.

So you’ve got a clear strategy from them now. (Celtic) have got £77 million in the bank. And some of the people I’ve been speaking to think that it looks as if he (Desmond) is gearing up for a sale.

Martin is well connected in Celtic circles, often being the MC at club events.

Absolutely no journalist has any contact with Desmond but the Irishman will be in weekly contact with some key figures in and around the club. Martin is likely to be in contact with those same people.

Since this season got underway the Celtic support has been mobilised in a number of ways.

The Celtic Fans Collective has the backing of more than 400 groups and has twice met with the club.

Celtic Supporters Limited has set the goal of reactivating the dormant shares and working with other shareholders to ensure than fans have a say in the club.

Five weeks ago Willie Haughey broadcast his intention to set up the Celtic Season Ticket holders alliance but has failed to follow up with any detail on how that will operate.