Reaction to Ross Desmond’s abomination of a rant at Celtic’s AGM | OneFootball

For the record books, here is every word of Ross Desmond’s abomination of a rant at Celtic PLC’s AGM yesterday, plus a flavour of the reaction from Celtic supporters…

Ross Desmond at Celtic AGM. 21 November 2025.Screenshot social media

At yesterday morning’s AGM, Ross Desmond read a statement on behalf of his father, principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, who once again failed to front up to supporters. What was that about self-preservation again, Dermot?

Standing in for his father, Ross Desmond’s prepared address was met with laughter and heckling from the audience. Here is everything that he said…

“Times of challenge call for unity and understanding, as well as honest responses to reasonable questions. Yet there are those out there who seem to lie in wait for any opportunity and any small opening to stir up toxicity around the club.”

“Let me start by dispensing with the absurd caricature some people spread about my father and state some of his Celtic credentials. He’s a passionate and lifelong Celtic supporter. He first put money into Celtic more than 30 years ago when Fergus McCann asked him for help. He became the principal shareholder when Fergus sold out, and he took on the responsibility that came with that. He wants the club to be healthy, successful and still thriving decades and even centuries from now.”

“The board shares those desires, and that’s why the board respects financial reality. We act prudently, not recklessly. Those who accuse the club of hoarding cash or being in it for the money display a deep misunderstanding of financial responsibility. The board’s fiduciary duty of care is to the shareholders, to the supporters and to the future of this club. We don’t declare dividends to distribute surplus cash to ordinary shareholders as many other businesses do. Cash is retained and used to sustain and develop our club.”

Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay applaud during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“As Chris [McKay] explained in the video, Celtic must maintain strong reserves and contingencies to protect against unforeseen circumstances. That financial strength is what gives us independence, stability and the ability to make our own decisions and not be beholden to anyone else. Those who talk about the club not having kicked 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 and challenges any club playing in a smaller European league. Most supporters understand that. Of course, clubs can still punch above their financial weight, and we should aspire to that. But if you swing and miss, you risk the very stability of the club, and that would be profoundly irresponsible.”

“The financial independence of this club was jeopardised in the mid-1990s and we must never allow ourselves to fall into that position again. We constantly strive to improve, to become more competitive and to go deeper into Europe, and there’s no doubt we get things wrong and we make mistakes, and we try to learn from them. Our model is far from perfect, but for the most part, it has served this club well over the past 20 years.”

“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 what matters: improving this club step-by-step, systematically, without ever risking its future. Improving recruitment, investing in data analytics, upgrading facilities, enhancing the stadium and trying to make Celtic stronger in every way.”

Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay during the Premier Sports Cup Semi Final match between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on November 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Criticism and advice are welcome and the right of every supporter, but some of what we have seen recently is not constructive, it is destructive and cynical. All it does is strengthen our resolve to protect the integrity and stability of Celtic Football Club. Our board, led by Peter, and our executive, led by Michael, are dedicated to the Celtic people. The attempts to dehumanise and vilify them are shameful. These are people with families; they love the club every bit as much as anyone here, and when we are not performing, they suffer just as much as anyone. They work tirelessly, often under intense pressure. They do an outstanding job for this club, and we are very lucky to have them.”

“Of course, we are not blind to our shortcomings. We can communicate better, we can recruit better, we can compete better, but we will do it responsibly, sustainably and always in the best interest of Celtic. 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 problems. These people are bullies, and they try to hijack the good name of Celtic supporters. 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.”

Some reaction to Ross Desmond’s statement on behalf of his daddy from Celtic supporters posting on x….

Ross Desmond at Celtic AGM. 21 November 2025. Screenshot social media

“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” – Ross Desmond attacked the Celtic the founding ethos of the club. Far right attitudes are on the rise as “normal”. We see you Ross.”  Danny.

“Celtic have been anti-establishment since its very formation. That statement alone proves Ross Desmond doesn’t have a clue and should never have been allowed to take a seat at the AGM never mind insult the supporters who put more money into the club than he ever has.” Kieran.

“This statement from Ross Desmond (Son of Dermot) is wild. Surely this is the watershed moment. Absolutely no way back from this.” Mac Thréinfhir.

“Anti establishment is a badge I wear proudly. The idea that Ross Desmond sees it as criticism says more about him than me,” Eddie Toner.

“The role of the Desmonds, father and son, within the Celtic hierarchy must now end. Never in all my time have I seen such discord at the club. Ross Desmond’s statement at today’s AGM was tantamount to declaration of war against the fans. There are no bad or good Celtic supporters. All are part of the same family. Enough is now surely enough.” John Wight.

“A billionaires son from Dublin coming over to lecture us about anti-establishment. Attacking anti racist, anti genocide fans as besmirching Celtics good name. He’s emboldened. And of course its possible far right Irish white supremacists infect Celtic,” Danny.

“Why is a guy with ZERO shares in Celtic reading out a statement at an AGM with a club suit and tie on?” KyogoCartel.

“An inflammatory statement from Ross Desmond drew the fire it was designed to , the board got their outball and walked out holding what they will see as the high ground. Cool heads were needed on the floor at that point, and will be needed in the future if fans are to bring change.” Highland Paddy.

Ross Desmond at Celtic AGM. 21 November 2025.Screenshot social media

That statement from Ross Desmond was actually wild. Never seen such a blatant disdain for supporters and shareholders outright like that, genuine venom in his voice as he delivered it. I’m almost inclined to believe it was deliberately inflammatory as to give the board an excuse to call it off, because there is no way they would not have known that the reaction to that would be nuclear. Lawwell was far too quick to call an adjournment, essentially putting us on time out for half an hour. Then his comments afterwards, wagging his finger and going “behave”. Also said something in the vein of “don’t think these are our usual AGM attendees”. DataBhoys.

That’s just a sample, there are thousands of other posts too. The Celtic Fans Collective meets on Monday evening and will discuss the events at the Celtic AGM including of course Ross Dermot’s attack on the Celtic support.

Conor Spence

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More Stories / Latest News

Reaction to Ross Desmond’s abomination of a rant at Celtic’s AGM

Nov 22 2025, 9:50

Collective to meet to discuss Ross Desmond’s attack on Celtic support

Nov 22 2025, 8:54

Give Martin a break for heaven’s sake, he doesn’t deserve any of this

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