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)
Bernard Ponsonby has delivered a fresh attack on the Celtic board.
Earlier this year an audio recording of a speech from Ponsonby delivered to the Glasgow University Celtic Supporters Club went viral.
The former STV Political reporter went in heavy on the Celtic board, especially Dermot Desmond.
That message went down a treat with the Celtic support, it chimed almost perfectly with the message being sent out by the Celtic Fans Collective.
Ponsonby is a lifelong Celtic fan, not a celebrity supporter.
He has known the good and bad times. Three nine-in-a-rows in Glasgow. The administration and liquidation of Rangers.
From his youth there are fading memories of Celtic being successful in Europe. Involved at the sharp end.
Since the early seventies there has been fleeting glimpses of Celtic being a force in Europe.
The advent of the Champions League brought victories over Juventus, Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United and others.
As recently as season 24/25 Celtic almost punched their weight.
Brendan Rodgers delivered 12 points and a Round of 16 Play Off place. That seemed to terrify the Celtic board, fans expected a show of ambition. They got the exact opposite.
Bayern Munich was followed by Kairat Almaty. Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn were replaced by Shin Yamada and Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Season 25/26 was the tipping point. Despite winning the double all of the troubles at Celtic came to the fore.
Ponsonby wasn’t fooled by winning two trophies. In a wide ranging interview on PLZ Soccer he reinforced his criticism of those in charge of Celtic.
https://youtu.be/jrJS8oDHFxI
Celtic discussion starts at 58 minutes
HIGHLIGHTS FROM PONSONBY INCLUDE
Repeated European failures
The issue on the debit side of the ledger which the supporters are concerned about is an inability to make any meaningful progress in Europe which, they believe and which I believe is because they haven’t spent properly.
The only things what we’ve heard from the Desmond family in recent times is that incendiary statement on the night that Brendan Rogers resigned, which may well all be true.
It may well be true, but it has no credibility because there is no communication with the support. I don’t know what Desmond’s vision for the club is because he doesn’t say anything.
Season 25/26- trophies and fall out
The last season has been, if we take out the the magic of the the last couple of weeks, it was in part horrible.
And one of the reasons why it was horrible is that I’ve never known in all of my years as a Celtic supporter, and I’ve been going to see Celtic for over 50 years, supporters actually falling out with one another and a and a toxic atmosphere.
It’s not what I was brought up in, and a complete disconnect between the mainstream and the board.
You can only change that if you yourself are prepared to change and engage. I hope he does because if he doesn’t, the chances are we will be back here again.
Having left STV Ponsonby has greater freedom to discuss his views.
Last month he was by far the most impressive pundit as BBC Scotland covered the election to the Scottish Parliament.
His involvement in the Celtic debate adds greatly to the criticism of the board, Nicholson and Desmond.
It is hard to dismiss a well known political figure as an entitled Ultra. Someone that should be grateful for finishing a point clear of the other Premiership club in Glasgow.
I’m not,and never have been, a Stocks and Shares guy…They are an abomination as far as I’m concerned…However, based on my complete lack of knowledge on the subject….I have to ask…Is the only way to get rid of DD…is if someone or persons…make him an offer for his shares…which he accepts ? And if so…what are his shares worth today ?