Desmond statement labelled ‘provocative, judgmental and accusatory’

Simon Jordan has offered his opinion on the controversial comments Ross Desmond made at Celtic’s PLC AGM last Friday…

Ross Desmond
Ross Desmond at Celtic AGM. 21 November 2025. Screenshot social media

The ex-Crystal Palace owner – now a talkSPORT pundit – expressed his dissatisfaction with the events at the AGM, during which Dermot Desmond’s son delivered a scripted address to shareholders – a rant that backfired in spectacular fashion.

During his morning programme with Jim White, the 58-year-old revealed his thoughts on Desmond’s involvement in the AGM. Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan said: “My nose always tells me not to bow to situations and to run towards the fire. But if you’ve got no order in the room, and you’re trying to have an orderly meeting where things are decided, and you can’t get that order, then you have to make a decision.

Dermot Desmond
Celtic v RB Leipzig – UEFA Champions League – League Stage – Celtic Park Dermot Desmond in the stands ahead of the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at Celtic Park, on Tuesday November 5, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

“I applauded Dermot’s statement about Brendan Rodgers. I thought it was bold. He wasn’t going to allow Brendan to have the passing word and escape scot-free from the consequences of resigning.”

Jordan added: “But some of the statement read out by Ross Desmond wasn’t conducive to achieving anything. It was provocative, judgmental, and accusatory. You’ve created the provocation in the room, and now you’re closing the meeting on the back of it. That’s not the way to do it.”

“If you’re going to lecture people in that room, what did you expect them to do, sit there and take it? They’ve got legitimate grievances. People will react when they don’t like something.”

“If it were me, I’d have said my peace, demanded order, and if people still wanted to turn it into a bear pit, I’d eject them, not close the meeting.”

Peter Lawwell, Dermot Desmond, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay
Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell, Dermot Desmond, largest shareholder and Michael Nicholson CEO are seen during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It has since been revealed that all board members have been re-elected to their roles and also the two resolutions put forward by The Celtic Trust – resolutions 16 and 17 – (surprise, surprise) failed to pass.

Conor Spence

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About Author

A current fourth year student studying History and Journalism, Media and Communications at the University of Strathclyde and now writing regularly about the Hoops for The Celtic Star.

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