Dermot Desmond hasn't 'got plans to go anywhere' amid Celtic fan fury as he's backed to feel the Parkhead heat

He’s been the target of fierce opposition - but it’s been claimed that Celtic powerbroker Dermot Desmond will be feeling the burn of a poor Hoops season.

It’s been a calamitous campaign for the current Premiership champions with Martin O’Neill coming in as manager twice after Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy both made way. Desmond blasted Rodgers’ conduct as he departed Glasgow while head of football operations Paul Tisdale was sacked after Nancy’s short tenure went awry, amid poor summer recruitment.

Signings in January didn’t get much better and it leaves Celtic five points off leaders Hearts heading into April. Club hero Charlie Mulgrew believes clear changes are needing to be made but major shareholder Desmond isn’t likely to be going anywhere despite fan demands for changes on the board, and the billionaire will be pained by developments in Glasgow’s east-end.

Charlie Mulgrew on Celtic form this season

He told Go Radio: “The season has been a disaster, nobody can argue with that. If Martin O'Neill pulls this out the hat, which is looking very, very unlikely, he's got a mountain to climb now. It's a miracle. For what's went on, with Wilfried Nancy coming in and the recruitment, you look at the recruitment. I mean, where's Joel Mvuka?

“Where's Junior Adamu? Where are these players? There's been injuries, granted there's been injuries, but huge mistakes Celtic have made are costing them. Paul Tidsdale being the main one, with recruitment and managers he's brought in, he's had to leave. If Martin O'Neill manages to resurrect this season with the squad that he's got at his disposal, it's a miracle.

“I think that the board realise there needs to be changes in terms of Paul Tisdale was a mistake, the recruitment needs looked at. Obviously a new manager needs to come in. There's a lot of changes needing made. I don't think the board are going anywhere.

How does Dermot Desmond feel about Celtic’s season so far?

“I don't know but I don't think so. I don't think he's (Desmond) got plans to go anywhere. I don't know. Of course he will (hurting) and I don't think whether they win the league or whether they don't will affect that. I think it will shine a brighter light on it but I think, surely they know, they will know that things need to be better.”

Fans at Parkhead have formed a group called ‘The Celtic Fans Collective’, a selection of supporters leading opposition to the board. Protests have been launched at several matches this season while ultras group, the Green Brigade, remain locked out of games. Next up for Celtic after a 2-0 defeat to Dundee United last time out is another trip to Tayside for a clash with Dundee before they host St Mirren pre-split. They also face the Buddies in a Scottish Cup semi-final next month.

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