Celta’s heartfelt thanks expose Celtic board’s cold contempt for fans
Celta recognised the sacrifice behind their Glasgow following. Celtic’s hierarchy should face the contrast with its own treatment of supporters.
Phillip Cooney 
Celtic board contempt looks even uglier beside Celta Vigo’s heartfelt thank-you letter to their supporters.
After more than 3,000 fans travelled to Glasgow on Thursday, Celta recognised the effort behind their support. Their official letter recognised the travel, time off work and effort that made that following possible.
Moreover, they thanked the people who travelled and those watching from home.
Reading it, I felt more than respect. Instead, I felt anger that such warm, sincere thanks should cast such a harsh light on how Celtic’s board treats its critics.
Our devotion built Celtic’s strength
Celtic supporters give this club far more than the price of admission.
We give it weekends, holidays, savings and family ties. Indeed, our lives revolve around fixtures. Across borders and through each new generation, that love endures.
As a result, that deep bond sustains the club the board runs.
The club’s appeal to sponsors rests on our loyalty. Meanwhile, its famous noise comes from our voices. Even thousands of miles from Glasgow, fans keep that bond alive.
Yet the board’s attitude too often feels cold and grasping.
Our loyalty earns praise when something needs selling. However, our views become a nuisance when something needs explaining.
In contrast, Celta saw the people behind the crowd figures. Celtic’s board should ask why that basic respect feels so painfully absent when fans speak out.
The AGM exposed the boardroom mindset
The November 2025 AGM remains a stark example of that distance.
Ross Desmond, speaking for himself and his father, attacked “bullies” and “aggressive, irrational factions” while defending those running Celtic.
Likewise, Peter Lawwell’s reported demand that those present “behave” showed the same urge to talk down to fans.
Supporters wanted answers. Instead, the top table spoke as though fans needed a telling-off.
What a bleak view of the board’s duty to this club.
People who give their money, time and hearts to Celtic deserve to challenge its course. After all, love for the club does not bind them to praise each boardroom choice.
For me, that AGM laid bare a stifling boardroom culture: those with power stood up for each other while talking down to fans.
Furthermore, the main shareholder’s son defending the same leaders hardly helped shake the sense of a closed shop.
Promises cannot hide dismissive treatment
Brian Wilson’s engagement promises must face the test of what fans describe.
In May, the Celtic Fans Collective reported that around 170 season-ticket holders received unsigned emails about moving seats without prior talks or clear details about staying beside friends and family.
An unsigned email. Doubt over seats beside friends. Surely loyalty deserves more care than that?
Meanwhile, ACSOM documented its exclusion from club press events, including Wilfried Nancy’s unveiling, saying the club had not given clear reasons.
Moreover, these outlets give fans a voice and keep Celtic at the heart of daily debate.
Yet the club shuts them outside while their questions go unanswered. That is a harsh, hostile way to treat people who do so much.
Then there is Paul John Dykes’ reported account of seeking a meeting with Wilson. According to Dykes, the response was: “I don’t see the point.”
Therefore, for a fan seeking talks, those words could scarcely sound more dismissive.
Dom McKay and Ange Postecoglou met fan media in June 2021. Clearly, access was possible. Today’s gulf stems from choices, rather than some barrier that nobody can remove.
They find their voice when power feels challenged
The Green Brigade’s suspension, which ended in April, added another bitter chapter to this rift.
Then came the tennis-ball protest at St Andrews.
Celtic’s October 3 statement announced an end to talks with the Collective at once. It also set out bans with no fixed end for anyone found to have planned, helped or taken part in the action.
Indeed, the speed, harsh tone and sweeping reach of that response stood out.
A golf-course protest involving Dermot Desmond drew a furious club response. Meanwhile, fans seeking answers about Celtic’s future should demand the same haste.
Desmond’s public attack on Brendan Rodgers had already shown how forcefully he could speak.
Clearly, the board can speak when it thinks the subject matters enough.
As a result, the distance fans face feels more insulting.
Celtic’s loyalty deserves respect
What I find contemptible is the belief that the board can bank our loyalty while brushing aside voices it cannot control.
A season-ticket holder asking about signings deserves respect. Likewise, a podcast challenging the board deserves an answer. Neither voice loses its worth because it makes life awkward upstairs.
In contrast, Celta offered warm thanks for its fans’ effort. Celtic’s board must answer for the lectures, closed doors and dismissive treatment set out here.
Ultimately, we should never have to choose between loving Celtic and challenging those running it.
The board runs Celtic. However, generations of fans give it its lasting strength. Our loyalty deserves thanks, respect and answers.
