Martin O’Neill seeks to resolve fan unrest at Celtic Park, including incidents like flying tennis balls that disrupt matches. However, his recent comments on European ambitions mirror those of Ross Desmond, which previously sparked backlash at a shareholder meeting.
Desmond’s Stance on Celtic’s European Goals
Ross Desmond, son of major shareholder Dermot Desmond, faced criticism during a November shareholder gathering at Parkhead’s Kerrydale Suite. He described some supporters as ‘aggressive’, ‘irrational’, and ‘bullies’. More pointedly, he addressed Celtic’s European progress since 2003, stating: ‘Those who talk about the club not having kicked on in Europe since 2003 ignore the enormous change in the financial landscape of football in that period. It has created a gap which keeps growing and challenges any club in a smaller league. Most supporters understand that. Of course, clubs can still punch above their financial weight and we should aspire to that, but, if you swing and miss, you risk the very stability of the club and that would be profoundly irresponsible.’
Recent Sales and Champions League Miss
Celtic’s decisions raise questions about responsibility. The club sold Kyogo Furuhashi for £10 million and Nicolas Kuhn for £17 million, then lost a Champions League play-off to Kairat Almaty, forfeiting over £40 million in potential revenue without adequate replacements.
This contrasts with Dermot Desmond’s earlier 2020 comments envisioning Celtic surpassing past great teams led by O’Neill, Gordon Strachan, Brendan Rodgers, and Neil Lennon within five years.
O’Neill’s Initial Ambition Shifts
When O’Neill returned to steady a struggling season, he emphasized Europe’s importance for Celtic and Rangers, highlighting UEFA competitions as foundational. Yet, after Thursday’s 4-1 home defeat to VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League play-off, his tone changed.
O’Neill remarked: ‘You’re talking about Premier League sides, Bundesliga sides, primarily Premier League teams paying £80million for players who don’t even get into the team. That’s what you’re competing against.’ He added: ‘Players in the Premier League in the last couple of seasons have cost £75m or £80m and are transferred for £40m three months later. It is ridiculous and we have to try and compete with that at some stage or another. We are trying to get players in at low cost because there is no money.’
Financial Realities at Celtic
Despite nearly £70 million in reserves and a £75 million wage bill, such statements appear disconnected. No one expects Celtic to rival Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich. Still, consistent Europa League competitiveness seems reasonable.
Celtic has not won a knockout tie in major UEFA competitions since 2004. Over the past 12 years, qualifying exits came against Maribor, Malmo, Cluj, AEK Athens, Ferencvaros, Midtjylland, and Kairat. Other losses include Molde, Sparta Prague reserves, and Bodo/Glimt.
Comparisons with Rival Clubs
Stuttgart’s key starters featured Deniz Undav (£23 million), Ermedin Demirovic (£16 million), and loan player Bilel El Khannouss. Recent buys like Badredine Bouanani (£13 million) and Tiago Tomas (£10.5 million) fall below elite Premier League spends.
Sporting Braga, who beat Celtic at home in the Europa League group stage, signed Pau Victor from Barcelona for £10.5 million—less than Celtic’s Arne Engels (£11 million)—and advanced to the last 16.
Midtjylland, who eliminated Celtic in 2021 qualifying and dominated them in Denmark, acquired Philip Billing (£5 million) and Martin Erlic (similar fee), with a far lower wage bill and 12,000-capacity stadium.
Bodo/Glimt, from an even smaller venue, spends £2-3 million on top signings—routine for Celtic—yet recently defeated Inter Milan 3-1 in Europa League play-off first leg.
Club Leadership’s View
In a November meeting with the Celtic Fans Collective, CEO Michael Nicholson described European results as ‘satisfactory’ over 19 of 20 group-stage qualifications. Highs like beating RB Leipzig and nearly toppling Bayern Munich last season offered momentum Celtic failed to build upon.
The core issue lies in Celtic’s spending and regression, not distant mega-clubs. O’Neill’s approach risks positioning him as a board spokesperson amid fan discontent over on-pitch underperformance.
