Celtic board heading into an unprecedented wave of criticism – Chris Sutton

Chris Sutton reckons Celtic’s board are heading into an unprecedented wave of criticism with fan demonstrations still ongoing…

Fans have voiced their discontent at Rugby Park and Firhill through walk-ins, banners, and chants calling for changes at boardroom level.

As The Celtic Collective began their three-match silence campaign which started against Hibs at the weekend, Sutton expects the pressure on the board to remain intense. On Saturday, supporters displayed banners and observed a 12-minute silence to represent the absence of the “12th man.”

The protests are expected to escalate midweek, with a planned 29-minute silence during the first home Europa League match against Braga to underline frustration with CEO Michael Nicholson, CFO Chris McKay and Chairman Peter Lawwell.

Now, Sutton has cautioned the board that challenges lie ahead. Writing in his weekly column in Daily Record on Saturday, he said: “We’ve seen the protests at Rugby Park and Firhill on the back of it all and now it will be interesting to see what kind of atmosphere there will be against Hibs today, especially after fans announced a three-game silence.”

“Some of the vitriol might have faded for some fans but I doubt the Celtic board will be in for an easy ride.”

Sutton added: “It’s understandable. Supporters don’t want to let all of this blow over like it usually does, because they’ll feel it’s a green light for the people running the club to keep repeating the same mistakes. The ire isn’t just about this summer, it’s been a build-up of issues and seasons of talk of learning lessons without actually doing so.”

“Rodgers is having to get on with it but there are constant reminders of the blunders made in the transfer window.”

Celtic supporters have made it obvious that they won’t let grievances over continuous poor recruitment, lack of ambition, and a boardroom disconnected from the fans go unanswered. Sutton recognises this and has been consistent in writing that throughout the summer and at the start of the season.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy, writing on The Celtic Star yesterday, questioned the wisdom of the silent protest going ahead on Thursday night against Sporting Braga in the Europa League, pointing out that the support influences the game at the start through the Celtic roar we here on European nights and after a half hour Sporting Braga will be well settled into the game.

Celtic may well have an opportunity to go far into the Europa League this season but to do that we need to win our home matches. Back the Team comes before Sack the Board in the phrase and the reality,  but each and every supporters attending the game on Thursday night will have their own decision to make on this dilemma.

Conor Spence

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