Peter Martin: Celtic board's Greenock meeting a preemptive strike
Peter Martin, Hugh MacDonald and Gordon Parks discuss the Celtic board's meeting with supporters ahead of the AGM and Martin O'Neill's future.
By Peter Martin,
The Celtic board's decision to meet supporters in Greenock before the AGM was examined on The Football Show, with Peter Martin, Hugh MacDonald and Gordon Parks discussing where the club's leadership stands with its support.
Peter Martin described the Greenock meeting as "a preemptive strike" before the AGM. The panel also discussed the Celtic Fans Collective, what happened the last time supporters and the board came together, and whether Dermot Desmond will turn up.
Removing a board
The discussion turned to how a board can be removed and who would replace it. The panel concluded that there is no revolution without a money problem.
The panel also looked at the absence of a director of football at the club and what that means for long-term strategy.
O'Neill's future
Martin O'Neill's future was central to the discussion, under the warning "They will orchestrate his departure." The panel considered whether the board will orchestrate O'Neill's departure and whether he should still be there.
Peter Martin said breaking point comes if Rangers go ahead of Celtic in the league. He placed the responsibility firmly with the directors: "if Martin's legacy is being tarnished, it's being tarnished by the board".
O'Neill's legacy was discussed in terms of being "left exposed". The panel also returned to O'Neill's last press conference at Lennoxtown.
An NDA and a disliked board
An NDA also featured in the discussion, under the phrase "will not get the truth". The current directors were described as "The most disliked board" in a long time.
With the AGM approaching, the panel's view was that the Greenock meeting should be read alongside O'Neill's position and the board's standing with supporters.