McGlone says nobody at Celtic will challenge Dermot Desmond
The Celts for Change figure says the Celtic board speaks with one voice and points to Lindsell Train's shareholding as the key to any shift in power.
By Peter Martin,
Matt McGlone of Celts for Change has said there is no prospect of anyone inside Celtic standing up to Dermot Desmond, and that real change at the club would depend on its other major shareholders.
Speaking on Straight Talk, in an episode recorded at the end of August and first published on 1 September, McGlone said the board does not operate independently. "I don't see a board as a collective here. I see a board as one voice and that board will listen to what that guy up there says," he said.
He added: "Nobody is going to challenge Dermot Desmond at Celtic currently, right now." In his view, that applies to everyone at the club, from the chief executive to the board members.
No change from within
McGlone was clear that he wants change. "Change is needed, there's no doubt about it," he said. He also said "it needs a massive change."
He recalled the club's position in 1994, when supporters feared that the Bank of Scotland, which held Celtic's account, would hold so much of the club's debt that it would have a big say.
Looking at the transfer window as it stood at the time of recording, he said that bringing in several quality players before it closed would earn the club some credit. He acknowledged they had done well in bringing in some forward players, but concluded: "But it doesn't look like change is going to come from within."
The other shareholders
McGlone said the route to change lies with the shareholders beyond Desmond. Referring to an idea raised by Willie Haughey, he pointed to Lindsell Train Investment, run by Nick Train, which he says holds 15% of Celtic. He said of the firm: "Haven't even been to Celtic Park. Not interested in Celtic."
He identified two further shareholders, on 11% and 6%, putting the combined stake of the three at more than 30%.
"If Lindsell Train decided to sell, that would be massive," McGlone said. He believes supporters would be interested in buying, but warned that a structure would be needed to make it happen. "I'm sure there'd be concerned Celtic fans out there ready to buy them. But you need a vehicle there."