'Hard but fair': Celtic supremos get grilling from fans as club releases statement on events

Chairman Brian Wilson, chief executive Michael Nicholson, chief financial officer Chris McKay, O’Neill and other club officials took part in a meeting at Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club on Monday night, which was attended by a number of fan groups.

O’Neill is coming under increasing scrutiny after winning just three of his past ten matches, while the Celtic board have been widely criticised by supporters over the past 18 months. Prominent Celtic groups have called for major shareholder Dermot Desmond to attend this year’s AGM after he was represented by his son Ross in 2025.

A statement from Celtic on the meeting read: “The Celtic manager and board faced ‘hard but fair’ questioning when they took part in a well-attended meeting at Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club last night (Monday).

“Members from Greenock, Port Glasgow, Gourock, Johnny Doyle, Port Glasgow Hibs and Largs clubs were among around 120 Celtic supporters who attended to seek information and voice concerns.

“Martin O’Neill joined chairman Brian Wilson, chief executive Michael Nicholson, chief financial officer Chris McKay and other club officials in a two-and-a-half-hour question and answer session.”

On the event, Wilson said: “We were grateful to the Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club for hosting this event in a way that allowed everyone to make their points, many of them critical, and to ask searching questions which we did our best to answer.

“We didn’t expect an easy ride and didn’t get one, but the meeting was conducted in a constructive and mutually respectful way and the messages delivered by supporters will be taken on board and learned from.”

O’Neill said: “I asked to attend the meeting because I want to meet supporters as much as I possibly can.

“We have had a few difficult weeks in recent times and I understand our supporters’ frustrations, but my resolve and the commitment of the players is as strong as ever to continue to bring success and progress to the club as we have done before.”

Michael Nicholson said: “I thank the committee and members of the Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club for inviting us to their club, and all supporters attending for the opportunity to discuss their concerns and the issues that mean so much to us all. Everyone in the room wants the best for Celtic and that was evident.

“We are grateful for supporters’ input and look forward to continuing to meet with supporters as we work on improving communication and engagement in the weeks and months ahead.”

Celtic confirmed that “issues raised by supporters included recruitment, transfer policy, communications, and the club’s ambitions and strategy”. They plan to release further details in due course on new engagement initiatives.

The event in Greenock follows similar sessions held across recent months with the Affiliation of Registered CSCs in Glasgow and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters' Clubs in Cork. The club says it plans to hold more in the coming weeks.

Celtic have two matches ahead of the next international break - both at home. They play Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday before the visit of Kilmarnock in the Premiership on Sunday.