Stephen McGowan is never too far away from a Celtic exclusive. The journalist has been at the forefront of some major breaking stories for the Parkhead club over the years.

In Saturday’s print edition of the Mail, page 114, the journalist had some interesting things to say on Hoops chief Dermot Desmond and how he’s stepped in over the summer.

You will already be aware Desmond was the driving force behind the ill-fated Eddie Howe move. Many couldn’t believe the majority shareholder allowed things to get so far down the line without a formal commitment from the Englishman.

Since then, Desmond has been more hands on than usual – often described as the absentee landlord [he hates that description], Desmond’s finger prints are all over this season so far according to McGowan.

McGowan writes Desmond personally overseen the handover between Peter Lawwell and Dom McKay, pushed for the Joe Hart transfer and he was 100% behind his good friend Gordon Strachan taking up a consultants role for three months.

“This season’s Premiership champions will rake in £30million from automatic qualification for the group stage of the Champions League. And that might explain why a billionaire with multiple interests elsewhere was forced to get his hands dirty having a rummage under the Parkhead bonnet this summer.

“Celtic’s Mister Big was full-on with the signing of players like Joe Hart. He oversaw the change of chief executive from Peter Lawwell to the modernising agenda of McKay.

“He conducted the meetings with Eddie Howe until the Englishman took cold feet. He gave the green light to the appointment of Postecoglou and persuaded Gordon Strachan to pitch up as a consultant and look at the club’s academy operations.

“Fans shelling out £600 for a season book are entitled to feel it’s the least he could do. Especially when his apparent determination to stand by Neil Lennon at all costs last November contributed to a disastrous tilt at ‘the ten’. Yet no-one really believes Desmond stepped in and grabbed the wheel because he wanted to. He did it because he had to.”

Celtic fans have often wanted Dermot to take a more hands on role at the club – but on the business side and making sure Celtic can attract top level managers and players. However, some of what McGowan describes seems like unneeded interference and uncertainty he might have over Dom McKay.

Peter Lawwell ran Celtic and Desmond was very comfortable with that as far as we’re aware. He rarely interfered and only popped up when we needed a new manager. After allowing things to deteriorate last season and not listen to supporters, this could be his way of trying to steady the ship.

Dermot should trust the people he’s put in charge.

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