GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 17: Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell, Majority Shareholder Dermot Desmond, and Chief Executive Officer Michael Nicholson (L-R) during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park, on May 17, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic Supporters Limited have created a powerful graphic highlighting the isolation of Dermot Desmond.
The Irish businessman is ‘only’ a Non Executive Director of the club but his 34% shareholding appears to give him almost total control.
A Non Executive Director is supposed to provide checks and balances while ensuring that best practice is applied at all times.
Desmond is much more than that.
Brendan Rodgers and Martin O’Neill have both referred to Desmond as the Celtic decision maker.
Twice this season Desmond was on the phone to ask O’Neill to come in as Interim Manager.
When Rodgers left in October Desmond used the Celtic website to fire off a highly critical attack on the outgoing manager.
In almost five years as CEO Michael Nicholson has been almost invisible. Twice he has been interviewed one to one. Both times with Celtic TV discussing the exciting plans for Wilfried Nancy.
Nicholson hasn’t said a word in public in 2026. Desmond hasn’t been pictured at a Celtic match since the December 11 Europa League defeat from Roma.
37,000 shareholders.
Only 1 voice heard.
Explain that.
This is not representation. This is control.
We are fixing the balance.
We are giving ownership a voice.#CSLThat is how this gets done. #CSL @Pmacgiollabhain @ACSOMPOD @PaulJohnDykes @huddlebreakdown @yogijunior3… pic.twitter.com/pWgO8oY6pI
— Celtic Supporters Ltd (@celticCSL) April 29, 2026
Up until a year ago claims that Desmond owned Celtic went unchallenged.
Now the correct position is in the public domain. He owns just over one third of Celtic shares.
WHERE ARE THE CELTIC SHAREHOLDERS
The vast bulk of Celtic shares were issued in 1995 and 1999, it is estimated that 20% of those shares are dormant.
Identifying them and uniting them with their rightful owners is one of the key tasks of Celtic Supporters Limited.
It is a slow process but there is a generation of Celtic fans with the notion that around 30 years ago their parents or grandparents bought shares in Celtic.
There are a couple of shareholders with significant shares in the club. None of them have raised their voice in public to criticise the running of the club.
Willie Haughey has announced similar plans for the Celtic Season Ticket Holders Alliance.
Other than two interviews on Go Radio from Haughey and one from Paul McStay little has been heard from the Alliance.
On X/Twitter the Alliance has less than 300 followers with just one tweet.
CLICK HERE for CSA website.
