Dermot Desmond told Celtic warchest needs wheeled out as cash must flow in order to land blockbuster boss
A former Everton boss has been linked to Celtic but it comes with a cash demand.
Major Celtic shareholder Dermot Desmond has been told that major cash will be needed if A-lister next manager candidates are to be clinched.
The Irishman and the rest of the board have come under fire amid criticisms on several fronts, as manager Martin O’Neill has the defending champions third in the Premiership. He’s only at the helm until the summer and the likes of Portugal boss Roberto Martinez have been linked. Hoops hero John Hartson has noted one of the concerns around the board being a lack of spending and he’s told Desmond if someone high-profile like the former Everton boss is to arrive, major money is needed.
He told Let Me Be Frank: “He needs to. If he wants to bring in any manager of worth, then he has to give him money. Otherwise, Celtic, if they aren’t going to win the league this year. He has to spend money, for goodness sake. If they aren’t going to win the league this year, they aren’t going to win it next year with this group of players.
Why Dermot Desmond must spend money at Celtic?
“He has to spend money, whoever he brings in. The manager, whoever comes in, will want to get us back into Europe. Achieving Europe. Get back to winning leagues. We have come off it. Way off from where we were. As I said before, we are the champions of f****** Scotland. We are the current champions. We were a penalty away from winning the Treble. Do you think Martinez will come without wanting a £30 million war chest? You aren’t going to get Martinez because he is going to demand too much money.”
Meanwhile, the Green Brigade have responded after the ultras group were permitted a return to Parkhead ahead of this weekend’s clash with St Mirren. Those in that section had their season tickets revoked following an incident at a home match against Falkirk on October 29, where members allegedly assaulted stewards and police.
An ‘indefinite’ ban was passed down in December after The Green Brigade reportedly circumvented the initial sanction and allegedly threatened the club's Head of Safety and Security. Conversations between Green Brigade representatives, Celtic and Glasgow City Council Safety Advisory Group in recent weeks have taken place in search of a solution with the defending league champions confirming on Tuesday that an agreement had been met.
Why have the Green Brigade returned to Celtic matches?
“Following a five-month and 32-match suspension, Celtic FC has finally lifted the unjustified and unfair suspension of 250 supporters,” the Green Brigade said in a statement responding to Celtic’s address of the situation. “In doing so, all affected supporters will receive a pro-rata refund for matches missed; and be credited with away points they would otherwise have accrued. We believe this is vindication that there was no basis for the suspensions.
“While we are naturally pleased to be officially returning to Celtic matches, we will not forget the experience of recent months and the personal impact it has had on supporters. There remains deep structural and cultural concerns within the club which must be robustly addressed to avoid similar, widespread supporter-breakdowns which have plagued this season.
“In spite of the board, Celtic still has a fighting chance of salvaging this season. We are committed to and relishing the prospect of returning to Celtic Park to get behind the team. This responsibility extends beyond the Green Brigade though. Everyone has their own particular part to play, no part is too great or too small, no one is too old or too young to do something.”
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