Celtic AGM: Ross Desmond's defiant address in full as he takes aim at 'bullies and irrational factions'

The interim manager and a reminder of better days for the Scottish champions watched on aghast as Celtic’s annual general meeting descended into chaos on Friday morning, with chairman Peter Lawwell postponing proceedings amid rising tensions at Parkhead.

After an adjournment just four minutes into the AGM, the top table returned half-an-hour later in an attempt to conclude the meeting. But the event turned really sour when Ross Desmond, present on behalf of his father and major shareholder Dermot Desmond, took to the floor.

Desmond Jnr was strong and defiant with his speech as he took aim at the club’s detractors. He defended how the club is run and left factions in no doubt what he made of their recent behaviour and protests, calling them “bullies”.

His words ignited an already fiery situation. Some shareholders had shown red cards and booed the top table when they arrived to take the floor, while one attendee directly approached the stage - which led to the first stoppage.

Desmond Jnr, a non-executive director, addressed the crowd on behalf of his father and his speech, which wasn’t able to be completed, can be found below:

“I am here on behalf of my father and speak for both him and myself,” he said. “We felt compelled to make a statement because of the misinformation that has been swirling around the club. It felt important to offer some clarity and respect. There has been much nonsense spouted about the people on this stage.

“There are those who 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 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.

‘Deep misunderstanding of financial responsibility’

“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 has a duty of care 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.

“As Chris [McKay, financial director] 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 to 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.”

There was more unrest from the crowd, which prompted Lawwell to say: “Show a bit of respect. Listen, you don’t want the meeting closed I take it? So behave.”

Desmond Jnr continued: “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 will not be bullied’

“We constantly strive to improve, to become more competitive, to go deeper into Europe and there is 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 all matters, improving this club step by step, systematically, without ever risking a future. Improving recruitment, investing in data analytics, upgrading facilities, enhancing the stadium and trying to make Celtic stronger in every way.

“Criticism and advice are welcome and are 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 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 at 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 Falkirk match was symptomatic of wider behaviour that has not been... These people are bullies and they try to hijack the behaviour 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 ...”

Desmond Jnr was greeted with more boos and jeers as some members of the audience rose to their feet. It was at that point that Lawwell decided enough was enough.

“I'm going to have to apologise to those shareholders who were here today with the best interest of the club at heart,” said Lawwell. “Particularly those who had a question that they wanted to ask later on. But because of the disruption, we are going to draw the meeting to a close. I declare the meeting closed.”

Interim manager O’Neill was due to speak later on the event but was not given the chance. “I thought it was a really sad, sad morning,” he afterwards in his pre-match press conference for the St Mirren game on Saturday night. “I just wonder what the great Jock Stein would have thought of it all, you know, who preached unity at the football club, said that a club not united would never be successful. It's as sad a morning as I've seen.

“Listen, I'm not an apologist for the board. I am privileged to be here for a second time, as I was for the first time as well too. But you know there were people who had wanted to have asked questions and the board have said that they've made mistakes.

“I think there's only so many times that you can apologise and then you have to get on with things again, so we'll start again and hopefully that will start when the new manager comes in. A united Celtic will be far better equipped to compete and try and win again.”

There were 17 resolutions on the agenda that were due to be passed. “Regrettably, due to the continuing disruptive conduct of a small number of individuals preventing the orderly management of today’s AGM, we were required to conclude the meeting earlier than we had planned,” a Celtic statement read not long afterwards.

“Such conduct is completely unacceptable and hugely disappointing, and while today’s events are completely outwith our control, clearly we regret the impact on our shareholders who were deprived of the opportunity to take part in an orderly and constructive meeting.

“Chairman Peter Lawwell called a poll on the resolutions at the end of the meeting, the results of which will be made available once counted and verified by our registrar, Computershare.

“The AGM will now be rescheduled to a later date, which Celtic holding the power to stage it behind closed doors with auditors present so that the 17 resolutions on the agenda can be passed.”