The Celtic Fans Collective has called on Dermot Desmond to publicly commit to attending Celtic’s 2026 AGM in person and to answer questions about his role in running the club.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, the supporters’ umbrella group said Celtic’s principal shareholder has not attended an AGM in twenty years, “despite wielding considerable influence over the direction and decision-making of our club.”

The Collective also ruled out a stand-in. “Sending his son, another representative or a prepared statement in his place is no substitute for attending personally,” the statement read.

Stay on top of all the Celtic news on our homepage.

That line points straight back to last November. At the 2025 AGM, Ross Desmond read out a statement on his father’s behalf in which he hit out at “destructive and cynical” criticism of the club’s executives and branded some fans “bullies”. Then-chairman Peter Lawwell abandoned the meeting amid shouts from the floor.

The Collective puts the blame for that squarely on the board. It says Lawwell’s decision to close the meeting early “left a clear impression among supporters that the Board had taken an opportunity to avoid scrutiny.” Lawwell has since left the board, and Brian Wilson is now interim chairman.

After the tennis-ball protest aimed at Desmond at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews back in October, Celtic announced it would end all engagement with the Collective and warned that anyone found to be involved in that particular incident could receive an indefinite ban from Celtic Park. The group hit back by calling Desmond “notoriously thin-skinned”.

Monday’s statement takes a calmer line, presenting attendance as a chance for Desmond to show his willingness to engage with supporters and shareholders in good faith

The pressure on the board is coming from more than one direction. The Celtic Trust has had three resolutions accepted for this year’s AGM notice, including a demand that the chairman apologise for giving Ross Desmond a platform last year. Its other two call for a three to five-year strategic plan and a review of the club’s security operations, while Celtic Supporters Limited has a fourth resolution on the notice.

Plenty of supporters will see it as a fair ask. The AGM is the one day of the year when shareholders can question those running Celtic face to face, and Desmond’s influence over the club is something even his defenders rarely dispute.

Celtic has yet to announce a date or format for this year’s meeting. Last year’s AGM was confirmed on 28 October, and shareholders must receive at least 21 days’ notice before it can be held.

The Celtic Fans Collective statement in full

For twenty years, Dermot Desmond has not attended Celtic’s Annual General Meeting, despite wielding considerable influence over the direction and decision-making of our club. Although only a minority shareholder, Desmond appears to exercise influence far beyond his shareholding. With that influence comes a responsibility to be accountable.

We call on Dermot Desmond to publicly commit to attending the 2026 AGM in person and answer questions about his role in the running of Celtic Football Club. Sending his son, another representative or a prepared statement in his place is no substitute for attending personally.

The decision by Peter Lawwell to prematurely conclude last year’s AGM left a clear impression among supporters that the Board had taken an opportunity to avoid scrutiny. Responsibility for how that meeting was conducted and ultimately concluded rests entirely with the Board.

This year, however, the focus must be firmly on scrutiny rather than protest. There is a clear understanding across the support that the AGM must provide the opportunity for important questions to be put directly to those running the Club, without allowing scrutiny to be evaded once again.

Celtic supporters have repeatedly sought meaningful dialogue and a more constructive relationship with the Club. At a time when fans want to see decisive leadership, a public commitment from Dermot Desmond to attend the AGM in good faith would be an important demonstration of his willingness to engage directly with supporters and shareholders.

Celtic Fans Collective

6 fan organisations | 168 Celtic supporters clubs | 36 fan media & online platforms | 2,848 independent supporters