Celtic’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond made a rare in-person appearance at their pre-season opener against Shelbourne.
Desmond led the club’s managerial recruitment process in London this summer, interviewing Robbie Keane before handing Martin O’Neill a permanent stay.
O’Neill took charge of his first pre-season friendly in Dublin, as the Hoops instantly responded to Shels’ late opener to secure a 1-1 draw.
In the stands was Desmond, alongside Parkhead chairman Brian Wilson.
✅ First pre-season friendly ticked off…
What did we make of the performance?
Celtic chief Dermot Desmond makes rare appearance at Shelbourne friendly
It was Desmond’s first appearance at a match since Celtic’s 3-0 Europa League defeat to Roma under Wilfried Nancy.
Last season, he also attended O’Neill’s very first game in interim charge against Falkirk.
READ MORE: Celtic have dodged a bullet in Roberto Martinez’s dreadful football
For Desmond, last season was more eventful than most. After a rocky start to the season, the club were rocked by the sudden resignation of Brendan Rodgers.
Desmond then launched an extraordinary attack on Rodgers with a statement labelling him ‘self-serving’ and accusing him of creating a ‘toxic atmosphere’ at the club.
He made the unexpected call of phoning an unsuspecting O’Neill to offer him the role on an interim basis, and the rest is history…
However, the 75-year-old billionaire’s popularity among the Parkhead support is at an all-time low.
The disastrous summer transfer window that resulted in the aforementioned resignation of Rodgers is a contributing factor.
However, things got really heated when Desmond’s son Ross labelled some fans ‘bullies’ whose “only vocation in life is to be anti-establishment” at the club’s AGM.
Despite his unpopularity in large sections of the support, he has offered no indication that he plans to step aside as controlling shareholder.
Do you think Dermot Desmond would really consider selling his Celtic shares?
Bernard Ponsonby on Celtic chief Dermot Desmond
Speaking on PLZ Soccer last month, former STV political correspondent and vocal Celtic supporter Bernard Ponsonby labelled Desmond ‘blind’.
He said: “A complete disconnect between the mainstream and the board… you can only change that if you yourself are prepared to change and engage.
“I hope he does because if he doesn’t, the chances are we will be back here again. It would help if he simply came out and spoke. I always say I don’t know what he’s like.
“I don’t know what his vision is. I don’t know where he sees Celtic being in five years time or 10 years time.
“I don’t know whether he thinks the current stadium is fit for purpose. Supporters will tell you: there’s bits that needs done. What is the vision?
“From that point of view, Mr. Desmond appears blind.”
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