Celtic’s Board Speaks, but Fans Still Left Without Answers
Celtic’s latest statement is long on excuses but short on solutions, leaving this frustrated supporter unconvinced.
Celtic’s board has finally addressed the growing unrest among supporters after a disastrous transfer window and yet another European failure that has cost the club £40 million in revenue. On the surface, their lengthy statement appears conciliatory, but look through the corporate language and you’ll find little in the way of accountability or real answers.
The Illusion of Listening
The statement opens by thanking supporter groups and stressing that “the Club takes supporters’ views extremely seriously.” It’s the standard opening line of any board under pressure – but words are meaningless without action. If Celtic were truly listening, they wouldn’t have ended the summer without replacing Kyogo, without strengthening key areas of the squad, and with cash reserves sitting idle while rivals strengthened.
Acknowledging frustration is one thing. Acting to fix the glaring weaknesses on the pitch is another. Fans don’t want platitudes; they want ambition, they want results.
Hiding Behind UEFA’s Sustainability Rules
The board repeatedly cites UEFA’s financial regulations as justification for their cautious transfer policy. They emphasise that “wages and transfer spending are strictly governed” and suggest their hands are tied. This is clearly misleading.
UEFA’s rules are designed to prevent reckless overspending relative to a club’s income. Celtic, however, is one of the most profitable and cash-rich clubs in the UK let alone Scotland, with healthy revenues, zero debt, and sizeable reserves. Clubs across Europe with smaller budgets and tighter margins have been able to invest decisively while remaining compliant. Take Club Brugge for example.
The truth is sustainability does not excuse stagnation. Having £80 million-plus in the bank while failing to replace your two main strikers is not prudence – it’s negligence.
“Throwing Money at Transfers” Strawman
The statement warns that “throwing money at transfers and contracts is not a sustainable route to success.” This is a convenient strawman. No one is asking Celtic to recklessly gamble the future of the club. Fans are asking for targeted, intelligent investment to keep the team competitive and able to meet even the minimum expectations, which are winning domestically and competing in Europe.
This isn’t about splurging irresponsibly. It’s about using the considerable financial resources available to actually strengthen the squad. Celtic has failed to do this time and again from a position of strength and when it matters most. Once again, they have started a new season weaker than they finished the season before.
Excuses in the Transfer Market
The club cites familiar excuses of other clubs delaying deals, players demanding higher wages, valuations being too high. These challenges are not new and not unique to Celtic. Every club faces them. The difference is that ambitious clubs plan ahead. They identify targets early, act decisively, and don’t wait until the final hours of the window to fill glaring holes.
For Celtic, the failure to sign ready-made reinforcements isn’t bad luck – it’s the direct result of a cautious, risk-averse recruitment model that prioritises balance sheets over footballing success. That’s what you get when your club is being run by bankers and accountants.
Champions League Failure Again
The most glaring issue is another humiliating European exit, this time against Kairat Almaty on penalties. The statement frames it as disappointing but insists the club’s ambition in Europe remains strong. Supporters aren’t fooled by their PR guff anymore.
It’s the same cycle every year. The board spends conservatively, rolls the dice in qualifiers, then expresses disappointment when Celtic fall short. Meanwhile, years slip by without meaningful progress in European competition, and the club falls further behind their European rivals damaging the co-efficient and losing a significant amount of revenue in the bargain.
Fans Deserve Better
The statement ends on a familiar note, with thanks to the “unmatched passion and commitment” of Celtic supporters. No one doubts the fans’ dedication. But the board continues to exploit that loyalty while giving very little back in return.
Celtic fans don’t want PR statements, they don’t want empty platitudes. They want action. They want a club that matches its words with deeds, that recognises European football as more than a bonus, and that invests properly to honour the size and history of this club. They want a board with ambition.
Right now, the board is asking the support to be patient while delivering regression on the pitch. That is not acceptable – and until Celtic’s hierarchy truly backs its ambitions with action, the unrest among supporters will only grow louder.
What do you make of the Celtic statement? Let me know your thoughts?