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)
Dermot Desmond’s role at Celtic appears to be under threat from some concerned shareholders.
The Irish businessman has a 34% shareholding in the club but seems to be central to most decisions, big and small.
Desmond twice made phone calls last season to bring in Martin O’Neill as Interim Manager.
After Celtic’s Scottish Cup victory over Dunfermline O’Neill referred to Desmond as ‘the owner’ when he was asked about his future.
Not many Celtic fans are unhappy about those decisions but there is a principle at stake.
A PLC employs a CEO to take guidance from a Board of Directors. The CEO is charged with and judged on how well those policies are carried out.
Between the Scottish Cup Final on May 23 and the O’Neill announcement on June 5 media reporting on the appointment of a manager was all focussed around Desmond.
His talks with O’Neill and Robbie Keane were reported without any mention of CEO Michael Nicholson.
That isn’t how a PLC is supposed to operate.
And now it seems that some Celtic shareholders are questioning board members on why the club is being run this way.
The comment above is from Kerrydale Street. Fatboab is a long term poster who many regard as seriously In The Know.
There are numerous references out to there of the influence of Desmond over Celtic.
DOES DESMOND DECIDE ON ALL CELTIC POLICY?
As a Non Executive Director his brief is to apply checks and balances to ensure best practice is being applied at all times.
Brendan Rodgers name checked Desmond far more often often he mentioned either Nicholson or Chairman Peter Lawwell.
Discussing Rodgers future, on 13 July The Sun reported:
And the club’s supporters are desperate for him to stay on.
But many fear Rodgers is set to walk away next May after six years as boss over his two spells.
And after confirming he’s held discussions with Desmond and key boardroom figures this summer, he said: “Yes, we spoke with all the guys
“I had a meal and a chat around a number of things. So, yes, I had a nice meet. We touched base on it. But it primarily is just a chat around things. Like I’ve said, it’s still a long, long way out.”
Those chats rebounded spectacularly when Rodgers resigned at the end of October.
Within 30 minutes of that news being published Desmond delivered a scathing attack on Rodgers.
Fans were shocked, surprised, alarmed.
A manager that won 11 out of 13 trophies was having his reputation trashed.
On so many levels it wasn’t a good look.
It now appears that some activity is taking place to reduce Desmond’s influence. How that comes about is anyone’s guess.
Highlighting the whole issue is the fact that Nicholson hasn’t spoken in public during 2026.
A manager and Head of Football Operations has been sacked. An Interim Manager appointed then upgraded to permanent status. All without the CEO going in front of the Celtic TV cameras to explain his intentions.
Silence seems to be the policy that Celtic are most comfortable with.
If the power and influence of Desmond is reduced the Board and CEO will have to step up and take responsibility.
It all paints a picture of a club without any direction or leadership. ‘Activity’ since the end of last season underlines that view.
Coming towards the end of day 1 of another wage thieving £17,000 week for that scumbag Lucan !
They have without a doubt learnt lessons , how to fleece even more money from the fans hold them and the staff and Martin O’Neil with even more contempt, don’t forget Desmond and his cabal of corporate greed and austerity fc only have one aim bigger pension pots and bigger salaries all round . Stop giving them your money or you are complicit
Get rid of every one of the scumbags on the board. They’re only there to syphon off the fans money into their pension pots. Desmond must be one of the biggest arseholes that ever walked through the main door at Parkhead. Has anybody thought to ask him the simple question – why are you he’ll bent on destroying our club?