Chris Sutton issues request for ‘everyone involved’ in upcoming Celtic AGM as one man told to build bridges

Celtic hero Chris Sutton has called on ‘everyone involved’ in the upcoming AGM to do their best to avoid conflict.

The annual meeting, designed to provide a democratic platform for shareholder participation, is due to take place on December 1. Last year’s assembly had to be cut short by former Chairman Peter Lawwell due to ‘disruption’ - and Sutton isn’t wanting a repeat.

The man at the centre of it all was Ross Desmond, son of Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond. Representing his father, he accused certain sections of the support as ‘bullies’ for their continued protests against the board and his family. Hoops supporters group Celtic Fans Collective have called for Desmond senior himself to attend next month’s assembly after a 20-year absence, but are yet to receive a response.

Desmond Jr can ‘set the tone’ for Celtic AGM

While Sutton reckons CEO Michael Nicholson and interim Chairman Brian Wilson must play their part in building bridges, while not expecting Ross Desmond to completely back down, he also thinks he has a personal responsibility to ensure relations aren’t further strained.

In his Daily Record column, Sutton wrote: “The chances of Dermot Desmond actually attending the upcoming AGM are next to zero. He’s not been to one of these things in 20 years, so I very much doubt he’s going to appear now. His son, Ross, is another matter. He should be there – and this time he should turn up with an olive branch rather than a bazooka.

“I’m not sure Ross Desmond is going to say sorry for the letter he unleashed on behalf of his dad anyway (last year). In person it can be different, though, and Ross Desmond can set the tone for the entire meeting. There cannot be a repeat of last year’s chaos. 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.”

Hoops anger has ‘got worse’ over past 12 months - Sutton

While Celtic currently sit top of the Premiership, domestic dominance is no longer enough for sections of the support, who would like to see the club perform better on the European stage. The humiliating defeat to LASK Linz in the Champions League play-off led to further protests against the board, while their slow start in the Europa League as led to increased doubts over their credentials on the continent.

Sutton doesn’t believe much has changed over the past year in terms of fans’ attitude towards the club’s hierarchy and thinks if anything, it’s ‘got worse’. He continued: “Celtic have regressed. There was anger 12 months ago but things have arguably got worse.

“They can’t fall back on familiar defensive lines about winning 14 titles out of 15 or however many cups. All of that is true and I’d never diminish dominance in the domestic game. But the main issue with Celtic fans have been this repeated failure in Europe. It’s the big question – are Celtic the best version of the club they can be?”

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