“Those who talk about the club not kicking on in Europe since 2003 ignore the enormous change in the financial landscape of football in that period. It has created a gap which keeps growing. It has created a gap that keeps growing and challenges any club playing in a smaller European league.”
“We constantly strive to improve, to become more competitive, to go deeper in Europe…”
“So we will not be bullied by aggressive or irrational factions. We will not be railroaded by those whose only vocation in life is to be anti-establishment and by those who try to degrade the club. Our focus is on all matters, improving this club step by step, systematically, without ever risking a future. Improving recruitment, investing in data analytics, upgrading facilities, enhancing the stadium and trying to make Celtic stronger in every way.”
“Celtic was founded as a club open to all and we have a tradition of having the greatest fans in the world. We must now protect that reputation that was created over generations. The behaviour of certain sections increasingly brings the club and its fanbase into disrepute.
The incident a few weeks ago at the Falkirk match was symptomatic of wider behaviour that has not been…
These people are bullies and they try to hijack the good name of Celtic. We cannot allow them to define who we are. I’m well aware of the target I put on my back when I say this…”
(Ross Desmond, Celtic AGM, 21st November 2025)
Another long night in Europe
As thousands of us return from another disastrous performance in Europe, attention is again drawn to the ambition and vision (or lack of) for Celtic as a club. Benfica are not a poor side, but they are also not an elite-level side as could be referenced in Ross Desmond’s tirade above. They are a team that, when you look at their European record and academy set-up, we should aspire to. A natural comparator in many ways.
And yet, pre-match, no one would’ve been surprised at that scoreline on Thursday evening. The sense of deflation within the support after a predictable early goal conceded was palpable.
Thursday evening’s defeat is not close to being as embarrassing as others over the years but it again brings a renewed focus on where we are and where we are going as a club.
It makes our first AGM resolution even more critical – the need for a strategic review with a strategic 3-5 year plan backing it up. Measurable goals to evaluate progress and regular communication and updates with supporters. A review of where we are and where we aspire to be. Yet, the Board voted against this last year and there’s nothing to suggest they will do differently this year. The weight of voting numbers is stacked against the support.
AGM Resolution: An Apology and a Commitment
Ross Desmond’s outburst last year was disgraceful. He should never have been afforded a platform to decry and degrade sections of our support but was enabled by a poor Chairman who subsequently resigned from his post one month later.
At the 2026 AGM, the Chairman will of course be different, as Brian Wilson will have entered his 11th month as Interim Chair. Another area where it is unknown what progress the club has made in appointing a permanent successor to Peter Lawwell – with, again, no communication given to fans or shareholders to date.
Regardless, Ross Desmond will, in all likelihood be in attendance on behalf of his father. It is important that he not be allowed to conduct himself in a similar fashion to last year.
He should not be afforded space to insult and provoke Celtic supporters as they sit in front of him. He should not be given a platform to deliberately derail the only chance shareholders have to question the Board for their, as Ross Desmond noted, “shortcomings”.
That is the purpose of this resolution. To draw a line under Ross Desmond’s deplorable behaviour last year. For him to apologise to all Celtic fans – not just us or the Green Brigade or any other fan group the Club like to mention in public statements; but all Celtic fans and all shareholders who were in attendance last year.
There also needs to be a commitment from the Board that such behaviour is not allowed to be repeated. It is essential that supporters are given time and space to scrutinise the Board, and with so few opportunities throughout the year, the AGM inevitably becomes the focal point for this. It is, therefore, critical that the Chair is stronger this year and refuses to enable such behaviour again.
How you can support us
There are various issues at various levels of the club right now. Our first two AGM resolutions focus on two aspects of these. The first being a vital review of all footballing and financial performance with a strategic plan setting out our ambition and vision for Celtic moving forward. The second being an essential review of the safety and security arrangements surrounding our support in light of recent incidents.
To carry out the above two requests effectively and with the backing of supporters, the need for mutual trust and respect is required. Therefore, Ross Desmond needs to show some humility before the support and apologise for his behaviour. The Celtic Board also need to pledge to supporters and shareholders that such behaviour is not common place at AGMs and will not be tolerated again.
If you are a shareholder, you can support Resolution 3 here: https://celtictrust.net/2026-agm-resolution-three/
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