Chris Sutton has warned Ross Desmond that he can’t repeat his performance at the 2025 AGM when the club stages their 2026 event on December 1.
After years in the background Ross took centre stage as he read out a message from his Daddy to shareholders.
In it Desmond was highly critical of anti-establishment fans who are apparently dragging down the reputation of Celtic.
He also warned that any show of ambition in Europe could place the club in jeopardy through a costly swing and miss.
Bodo Glimt are enjoying a second season in the Champions League while Celtic toil in the Europa League. The Norwegian side banked a payment of £11m from Celtic in August for Kasper Hogh.
The countdown is well underway to the 2026 AGM.
SUTTON READS THE ROOM FOR CELTIC AGM 2026
Shareholders know that they have to hold back on any form of dissent. Everything has to be done to get through to the Question and Answer session where Michael Nicholson can finally be questioned.
Clearly that is a situation that Celtic want to avoid. Communications isn’t one of Nicholson’s skills.
The Desmond family aren’t known for diplomacy. Doubling down is more their style but Sutton believes a different approach is needed to maintain an uneasy peace.
My @Record_Sport column on the upcoming Celtic AGM and why everyone needs to draw a line in the sand and try to start moving in the right direction.. words really do matter and the bazooka approach from both sides will just make this worse… but we live in hope… your thoughts?
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 14, 2026
Expanding in his Daily Record column Sutton said:
Everyone involved should be trying to avoid that kind of conflict. Shareholders in attendance have to stay in control, ask the questions that need asking and then allow the board to answer. I do think getting off on the right foot is key, though, and that’s where Ross Desmond would come in.
If he addressed the shareholders and admits things went a bit awry 12 months ago then it would be a positive start. Celtic fans need to hear from Michael Nicholson and Brian Wilson. There does need to be a conciliatory attitude, with an acceptance mistakes have been made as well as some information about what is being done to get the club back on track.
Brian Wilson is set to chair the meeting and will be full of the false charm and promises that you’d expect from a former Labour MP.
His boardroom record over the last 20 years confirms that he has no rapport or respect for fans beyond extracting payments.
Wilson’s natural inclination will be to goad the critical shareholders, he never stepped in or said a word as the 2025 AGM crashed after less than an hour.
While the Desmond’s look on from afar Wilson, Nicholson and Chris McKay have to live with the consequences on every matchday.
It is in Wilson’s interests to offer some promises to keep fans onside.
Whether Desmond will take the suggestion from Sutton is doubtful. Further criticism and attacks on the support could have a devastating impact on every area of the club if Not Another Penny is cranked up.
