Here’s a bold statement: the decline of a once-dominant football club can often mirror the fall of an authoritarian regime—gradual at first, then sudden and irreversible. This thought struck me while reading about the downfall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, and it immediately brought Celtic to mind. Ernest Hemingway’s famous line about going broke—‘gradually then suddenly’—feels eerily applicable to Dermot Desmond’s reign at the club. But here’s where it gets controversial: while external factors like lucrative TV deals in other leagues, UEFA’s tightening grip, and players chasing riches abroad have played a role, the bulk of Celtic’s decline is self-inflicted. And this is the part most people miss: Dermot Desmond, though not the majority shareholder, wields dictatorial control over the club without investing his own money. The funds Celtic spends come from the club’s earnings and the pockets of its loyal supporters.
Desmond has crafted a boardroom of ‘yes men and women’—individuals more interested in preserving their cushy positions than challenging his authority. This isn’t continuity; it’s stagnation masquerading as stability. The board’s obsession with prudence has morphed into outright miserliness, costing the club managers, players, Champions League opportunities, and now, silverware. Take the appointments of Paul Tisdale and Wilfried Nancy—decisions so baffling they scream of ineptitude. Meanwhile, rivals like Hearts and Rangers are closing the gap, despite Celtic sitting on a war chest of cash rivaled only by Tottenham Hotspur in Britain.
Here’s the infuriating truth: Celtic’s success over the past two decades happened despite the board, not because of it. Yes, they stabilized the club financially, but their refusal to invest when it mattered most has left us vulnerable. Remember when Brendan Rodgers arrived in 2016? That was a moment of ambition, sparked by Desmond’s personal grudge against Rangers. But instead of capitalizing on that momentum, the ‘biscuit tin mentality’ returned. We’ve been funding expensive signings by selling our best players, while our cash reserves gather dust.
Here’s the controversial question: Are we, as fans, ‘spoilt’ for demanding better? Or is it reasonable to expect a club with Celtic’s resources to dominate domestically and compete in Europe? The current regime’s ban on the Green Brigade and Celtic fan media feels like a desperate attempt to silence dissent, but history shows that failing regimes can’t outrun the will of the people. The time for change is now. We need fresh faces, bold minds, and a strategy that leverages our wealth to reclaim dominance in Scotland and make our mark in Europe.
No matter how this season ends, one thing is clear: the current board has run its course. Let’s not stand by as they squander our club’s potential. It’s time to stand up and say, enough is enough.
What do you think? Is the board’s frugality justified, or is it holding Celtic back? Let’s debate it in the comments.
