da brdice： If you thought the ongoing manager saga at Celtic was providing enough drama, then think again.
da betcris： The Bhoys hierarchy have been on the hunt for a new manager for nearly three months now but that might not be the only thing Dermot Desmond has on his mind anymore.
What’s the word?
As well as being locked in negotiations to bring Eddie Howe to Paradise, Celtic have been keen to bring in a figure to take on their newly created director of football role.
It’s thought that Fergal Harkin and Richard Hughes are among the contenders but the root of Celtic’s problems stem far deeper than their transfer history.
After all, it is Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell who call the vast majority of the shots.
Lawwell will retire at the end of the season with Dominic McKay arriving to replace him but could a reduced role be on the cards for Desmond as well?
Well, after an audacious claim from the Notorious himself, Mr Conor McGregor, there could be a further change on the cards at Celtic.
Taking to Twitter in the early hours of Monday morning, the MMA superstar revealed that he wanted to invest in the Hoops after being asked whether he could get involved with Manchester United.
The UFC fighter said: “A conversation came up regarding Celtic first to be honest. To acquire shares from Dermot Desmond. I am certainly interested in acquiring a sports team at some stage! Both Celtic and Man United are teams I like for sure. But I am open. I feel I could do big things for a club.”
Time to sell?
McGregor may not have a background in football but if Dermot Desmond’s influence on Celtic is waning, it can only be a good thing for the Bhoys.
The Irishman appears to care about the club, regularly being snapped in Celtic jerseys while he previously professed his love for Kieran Tierney during an interview.
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That said, if Desmond does indeed decide to sell some of his shares, it would be a pleasing sight for supporters regardless of who it was going to.
After all, the businessman has left Celtic in the lurch in recent years with mass protests occurring outside Parkhead against his ownership.
The club’s majority shareholder was questioned about his stake as recently as March but his response was defiant.
“I am as passionate about Celtic as any other supporter. My shares are not for sale,” he commented.
Desmond may have been in charge of the club during their haul of nine Premiership titles in a row but it’s hard to argue that things behind the scenes have been run very well.
It was he, alongside Ian Bankier and Lawwell, who sanctioned the arrival of Neil Lennon back in 2019.
Celtic had just been given £10m in compensation fees for Brendan Rodgers but they decided against being ambitious and investing that back into finding a renowned manager. The result of which has been a disastrous season where they now sit 23 points off top spot.
Whether it be transfer strategies or coaching appointments, the Glaswegian’s have been run poorly for a while now.
To have a new investor on board with fresh and ambitious ideas would be a bright sign of hope for the Hoops.
AND in other news, Celtic interview “outstanding” 63 y/o for manager role, Hoops fans should be buzzing…