Furious Celtic supporters staged an angry protest outside Parkhead shortly after the Old Firm defeat to Rangers, intensifying demonstrations against the club’s hierarchy. Thousands of Hoops fans left the ground ahead of schedule and gathered at the main entrance to Celtic Park Stadium to demand the sacking of the board.
“Dermot, Dermot, fuck you,” was the chant directed at the company’s largest shareholder, Dermot Desmond. Fans were further enraged by a group of corporate customers who were taunting the protesters by gesturing from the window of the Walfrid Suite. This sparked a backlash from supporters, leading to clashes with police as some fans tried to push them away. Chants of “Celtic board must go!” Similar voices were heard in a video that went viral on social media.
The protest is the latest flashpoint in the ongoing controversy between the fan base and club officials throughout the campaign. Peter Lawwell resigned as chairman following offensive behavior towards him and his family.
Celtic’s ultras, the Green Brigade, remain banned from the ground amid a long-running dispute between fan groups and the club’s board.
North Curve Celtic wrote in X: “If you are concerned about the path Celtic are in, go to the main entrance to Celtic Park after the game and make your point known. Fire the board.”
The 3-1 loss to Rangers put Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy’s position in jeopardy, but the frustration only intensified. In the past, fans have been inside the stadium watching matches unfold and venting their frustrations to CEO Michael Nicholson and other officials.
Police Scotland has been contacted for a statement.
Celtic manager Nancy told Sky Sports: “I understand (the pressure). It’s part of my job. Nothing changes for me. My focus is to help the players get better. Help the team and staff get better.”
“Finding a way to turn things around. We’re really close to doing something good. It’s difficult in that sometimes we concede goals. It’s us here, not me. Look at the performance again.
“After that, it’s the details and the moments. The commitment, the desire to play, the desire to compete, the desire to fight. We were better in the first half. We know (the lack of results). For now, the situation depends on what we do.”
“The result is… yes, I want to win the game. We all want to win the game, but this is the reality at the moment. I see a lot of good things. That’s why the frustration is here, because we deserve better. We have to come together, and everything will move forward.”
Asked for a message to Celtic fans, the Frenchman added: “Keep working, keep doing what we like to do and things will work out.”
