Celtic fan group fires nine-part jibe at Dermot Desmond as AGM request goes unanswered.

Celtic Fans Collective have aimed a nine-part social media jibe at principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, highlighting how much has changed since he last attended the club’s Annual General Meeting in person. The supporters’ group wants the Irish businessman to attend this year’s AGM on December 1 and answer questions about his influence over Celtic, but says its request has so far gone unanswered.

The group’s post uses developments from football, entertainment and politics to underline Desmond’s absence. One example focuses on Colby Donovan, born after the 2006 AGM, who joined Celtic’s academy, progressed through its youth system and became a first-team starter for Celtic.

Desmond has frequently been absent from the annual meetings over the years. On several occasions, other people have represented him, including his son Ross Desmond. Ross was present at last year’s AGM, which was marked by a chaotic atmosphere and a series of difficult exchanges involving the club’s board.

Dermot Desmond hasn’t attended a Celtic AGM meeting since 2006. | Getty Images

This time, Celtic Fans Collective are specifically asking for Desmond himself to attend. They believe sending a relative, another representative or a written statement would not provide the same opportunity for supporters to question the person they regard as having significant influence over the club’s direction.

Nine reminders of the years since 2006

In its social media thread, the group listed several major developments that have taken place since Desmond last attended an AGM. The examples included the career of former Celtic manager and player Neil Lennon, the achievements of Lionel Messi, Donald Trump’s move into the presidency and the release of the first Iron Man film.

Lennon’s football journey has included playing for Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Wycombe Wanderers before moving into management. He has managed Celtic on two occasions and won five league titles with the Scottish club. He has also taken charge of five other teams during his managerial career.

Messi’s achievements provided another comparison. At the time of the 2006 AGM, the Argentina forward had scored only twice for his national side. Since then, he has reached 124 international goals, appeared in three World Cup finals, won three international trophies and announced his retirement from international football twice.

The group also referred to Trump’s transformation from a television personality and WWE figure into a politician who has been elected President of the United States on two occasions. The reference illustrates how dramatically the political landscape has changed during the period in which Desmond has not attended Celtic’s AGM.

Entertainment offered another example. Iron Man, the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was released in 2008. Since that first instalment, a further 37 films have been released as part of the franchise, providing another marker of how much time has passed.

The thread also included a pointed football-related observation about Celtic’s European record. Despite the many changes in the game and at the club, the group noted that Celtic have still not recorded a victory in a European knockout-stage tie.

Supporters want Desmond to answer questions

Celtic fans’ protests against the board have continued into this season. | Getty Images

Behind the light-hearted thread is a direct demand for greater accountability. Celtic Fans Collective argue that Desmond has not attended an AGM for 20 years, despite what they describe as considerable influence over important decisions and the overall direction of the football club.

In a statement released last week, the group said that Desmond’s absence was difficult to reconcile with the level of influence they believe he exercises. They pointed out that, although he is a minority shareholder, his involvement and authority appear to extend well beyond the size of his shareholding.

The group’s position is that significant influence should come with a willingness to answer questions publicly. They want Desmond to make a clear commitment to attending the 2026 AGM in person and responding to questions about his role in the running of Celtic.

Their request is not simply for him to be represented at the meeting. They specifically want the principal shareholder to face supporters himself, rather than relying on his son, another club representative or a prepared statement to communicate his position.

The issue comes amid continuing frustration among sections of the Celtic support over the club’s leadership and decision-making. Protests against the board have continued during the current season, while last year’s AGM demonstrated how tense relations between supporters and the club hierarchy had become.

For Celtic Fans Collective, the December 1 meeting is an opportunity for Desmond to address those concerns directly. Whether he will attend remains unclear, as the group says it has not received a response to its request.