Celtic fans are starting to ask serious questions about how the club is being run after what promises to be a hectic final week of the summer transfer window.
McGowan pointed out an awkward reality: Desmond owns just 34 percent of the club, yet seems to have full control over transfers and other major decisions. That doesn’t sit right with many, especially when others with shares appear to have little influence.
The situation has only been made worse by suggestions, apparently backed by Brendan Rodgers, that the manager isn’t fully happy with how the summer business was handled. The rush of late deals has added to questions over who’s calling the shots and how well things are being run.
Many now feel the people at the top of the club aren’t being open enough. Some are even comparing it to the old days when a small group of families ran things at Celtic, something Fergus McCann once tried to put an end to. Now, three decades on, fans are wondering if those patterns are creeping back in.
He said: (Press Box hosted by Graham Spiers), “It’s accepted that the man with full control over transfer policy and key decisions at the club is a shareholder with just 34% of the shares. That seems a bit incongruous to a lot of people.
“That’s a legitimate point to raise, and plenty will raise it. How you do anything about it, I really don’t know.
“There’s a perception among supporters that there’s a lack of accountability at the highest level of Celtic. That’s adding to the frustration. When Fergus McCann went into the club in 1994, one of the key goals was to remove the family dynasties — the Kellys, the Whites, the Grants. And now, 30 years later, we’re back with another family dynasty. To be fair, they’ve won a lot of trophies, done plenty of good for the club, and overseen what Brendan Rodgers calls a golden era.
“But equally, as Ewan touched on, Rodgers said he had conversations over Daizen Maeda’s contract with Dermot Desmond. Well, Desmond’s not an executive director. So how did that work?”
McGowan’s comments tap into a wider feeling of concern among the Celtic support. Fans remember the early 1990s, when the club moved away from being run by close-knit families and aimed to modernise how things were done.
Under Fergus McCann, Celtic became more open and the grip of names like Kelly, White and Grant began to fade. Now, some fear that old ways are creeping back in under a different name.
Desmond has played a big part in funding success and helping the team win trophies. But that doesn’t mean fans won’t question how decisions are made. Supporters want to know there’s a proper structure in place. Winning games is important but so is knowing how the club is run off the pitch.
Rodgers’ hints of being unhappy only add to the worry. If the manager feels out of the loop on signings or if a shareholder without an executive role is involved in talks it brings up big questions about who’s really in charge. Is that how a top club should be working in 2025?
Supporters want clear roles and real accountability. When private money and personal influence mix there’s always a risk of slipping away from the more modern way of doing things. This isn’t about criticising anyone’s work.
It’s about making sure the right checks are in place. Celtic are still winning but that needs to be backed up by strong leadership and a clear plan off the park. Fans want to trust how the club is being run and that trust needs to be earned.
