Martin’s Alternative View to Derry Bhoy’s Emotional Open Letter to Dermot Desmond

I cannot share the views expressed in the open letter – or accept its tone. Derry Bhoy is entitled to his views but I think he is guilty of the short term and, yes, entitled view of so many Celtic supporters today. The very people he wants to see run out of the club are the ones who have ensured the continuing financial stability of the club established by Fergus McCann, Brian Quinn and, yes, Dermot Desmond. Mr Desmond is a hugely wealthy man and is unlikely to be involved with a Scottish football team to boost his wealth or income.

READ DERRY BHOY’S EMOTIONAL OPEN LETTER TO DERMOT DESMOND HERE

These people have also sanctioned the arrival at the club of top players like Wanyama, Ki, Dembele, Van Dyk etc – while also bringing through the likes of Tierney and McGregor. In the 20 years of this century the club has won 15 championships (incl. 9 in a row) , 9 Scottish Cups, 6 League Cups – had 4 consecutive trebles – won 35 consecutive cup ties – plus reached a European final. They might rightly say that is remarkable – because it is.

I have been to the AGM every year and while I am usually disappointed by Mr Desmond’s absence I always find Peter Lawwell to be honest, articulate and not one to dodge a question. He has a multi-million pound business to run and is rightly rewarded for its significant success as a club and a business responsible to shareholders and fans alike.

I doubt there will be much bonus coming his way this year. I also have no doubt that he is as much of a Celtic supporter as we all are – the difference being he has to make decisions that safeguard the club and can’t let his heart rule his head. To unpleasantly claim he is becoming as ‘hated as the Kellys’ is both untrue and unfair – he is not there to be popular but to be CEO of a business in good times and bad.

Who do we want running the club instead – some of the people setting of flares and attacking players’ cars at Celtic Park after a League Cup defeat perhaps? Perhaps employ some of those that cling to an obsession with beating our main rivals – putting that above progress in Europe and the club’s reputation and standing as a big European club.

Winning Ten-in-a-Row is actually embarrassing evidence of the poor standard of the league and also conveniently glosses over the fact our main (only) rivals weren’t even in it for 4 of those. I am sure there are those out there who would be happy to accept losing 8-2 (8-2 !!!) to Sparta Prague as long as we, by some miracle, fought back to win the league this year – and maybe just finish above Rangers for the next decade too. Is that the limit of our ambitions? Do you think Liverpool’s main focus is solely finishing above Man Utd?

I have been involved in playing and watching competitive sport – at all levels – all my life. It only works where this is genuine competition, uncertainty about a result, occasional downs and then the triumphant successes. We are trailing Rangers because of our results but that amounts to 3 draws at hard away places and three defeats since the start of last season. The three defeats are all to Rangers who have steadily improved, got back to the top of the league and also set up an exemplary record in Europe. They are better run than us on the park – we have better players but what has that got us.

Instead of just ‘hating’ and dismissing what Rangers have done – blaming the SFA, Scottish Media, Referees etc we should be doing the same – getting steadily better – with a long term vision and associated plan aimed at improvement in all areas – especially in Europe. Success at home will follow that – this is an awful league and not hard to win – as I say we only have to finish above Rangers. Even if we don’t – and no one really cares here or abroad outside the two clubs supporters – we will still have access to Europe in any case.

I do think it is time for a change in the coaching, strategy and management side – that is where the investment should be. Neil Lennon has given his all for this club and at great risk and sacrifice – but has run his course. His inability to recognise Soro & Turnbull and his faith in Ntcham, Edouard, Elyanoussi etc are evidence of a need for change. A new management and coaching team is needed now – preferably not made up of Celtic ‘legends’ – just the best people the club can afford. People like O’Neill and Rodgers – who were only attracted to the club by Mr Desmond’s involvement and Peter Lawwell’s direction.

I love my club and long to be back at Celtic Park again amongst the people I respect and bond with. This season has been a rotten phoney all round without supporters and winning the league this year will be an empty triumph anyway. I may well be daft but I still have faith in our board – with perhaps at least one younger person with new ideas and experience elsewhere – to lead us in that new direction.

Regards and respect to all – Hail Hail.

Martin

READ DERRY BHOY’S EMOTIONAL OPEN LETTER TO DERMOT DESMOND HERE

If you would like your say please either post below in the comments or email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk and we’ll publish your opinion.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

3 Comments

  1. Martin

    Much, most, of what you say I agree with but their are a couple of points (probably more) that I don’t.

    I know a number of Liverpool and Manu supporters who are indeed very happy to defeat their rivals as long as they finish above them and I believe the same is true for many fans of local rivals. I think you are being somewhat naive in your assessment of the desires Celtic supporters. Do you really think Rangers fans do not have the same wishes? Do you really believe that fans in many other countries care vey much if Ajax or Feyenoord or whoever win their league?

    As for “empty triumph”!! Don’t you believe.

    Best wishes and Hail Hail.

  2. Martin Leadbetter on

    Thanks John. Appreciate what you say. I agree lots of Rangers fans think that way too but don’t tell me they aren’t also enjoying their form and standing in Europe nearly as much. Plus a few years ago they couldn’t beat Hearts, Aberdeen, Motherwell etc – never mind us !
    Generally I just worry we are to busy worrying about one bad patch in umpteen years rather than enjoying it all and also growing. In the same 20 years we have beaten Man U, Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona at home – Ajax and Liverpool away – I want to get back to that world. Which probably proves i am naïve 🙂 !
    Hail Hail
    Martin