The fallout from Celtic’s financial results continues, with the Celtic Trust accusing chairman Peter Lawwell of “gaslighting” the club’s supporters.
The club quietly released their annual accounts on Friday evening, revealing a record set of figures. Celtic posted a profit after tax of £33.9m, with cash reserves of £77.3m heading into the summer transfer window.
Yet, despite this financial strength, the Hoops’ conservative approach in the market has left fans furious, with the Trust claiming that Lawwell’s statement, alongside the results, was out of touch.
On their website, the group said: “Peter Lawwell’s gaslighting of fans in relation to Celtic’s 24-25 financial accounts indicates the level of contempt for fans and how out of touch the board and current custodians are with the source of their revenues.
“It is important that the custodians of Celtic FC (including Dermot Desmond, the executives and the non-executives on the board of directors) understand Celtic fans have more than the single objective of maximising short-term profits.”
Lawwell had claimed the board shared frustrations over the summer but insisted they would remain in place to “improve” going forward. That line has done little to calm tensions.
Supporter anger was again visible on Sunday, as banners were raised during the 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Partick Thistle. It marked a second consecutive week of direct protest. CEO Michael Nicholson and CFO Chris McKay, both seated in the stand opposite, were spotted glued to their phones as demonstrations unfolded across from them.
With Celtic entering a crucial run of fixtures in Europe and at home, the discontent in the stands shows no signs of abating. Supporters’ groups have made clear they intend to maintain the pressure until change is delivered at the top.
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2 responses
Throwing scrunched up protest posters onto the pitch, undone any point that was trying to be made…Who the hell thought that one up ??
Corporate greed must be punished stop giving them your money