Celtic’s annual general meeting took an unexpected turn when it was abruptly halted amid significant disruption from attendees.

Set in Parkhead’s Kerrydale Suite, the event quickly spiraled into chaos as frustrated shareholders voiced their dissatisfaction with the club’s management. The meeting, which commenced at 10:30 a.m., was marked by an immediate display of discontent. The board was greeted with boos and a sea of red cards as they took the stage, clearly indicating the shareholders’ disapproval.

Chairman Peter Lawwell, after issuing an initial caution, opted to pause proceedings only four minutes and 37 seconds in, declaring a 30-minute break to try and regain control of the situation.

As the meeting reconvened at 11:01 a.m., a significant number of attendees chose to exit the room, visibly expressing their displeasure as they pointed accusing fingers at the directors.

To address the situation, a pre-recorded message from Lawwell was played, in which he asserted that Celtic had experienced a ‘good year on and off the park,’ despite the apparent unrest among shareholders.

Celtic supporters attending the agm wave red cards at the board as they take their seats

The meeting was halted after less then five minutes before then being abandoned altogether

Supporters have been furious at the club’s lack of progress on and off the field this season

A pre-recorded interview with Lawwell was then shown in which he said that Celtic had had a ‘good year on and off the park’.

‘I understand the frustration and the negativity from some parts, and the disappointment,’ he said.

‘We are all Celtic supporters, as well as stewards of the club. We have to look at this in the broader sense and we have to look forward.

‘We have made mistakes and recognise there are improvements to be made. That is our focus moving forward — to do everything we can to make this club successful.’

Those who had walked out then returned to the room. Matters reached a new level, though, when director Ross Desmond — son of major shareholder Dermot — read a pre-prepared statement in which he accused certain fans of ‘stirring up toxicity’ and ‘dehumanising’ board members.

‘I am here on behalf of my father and speak for both him and myself,’ he said. ‘We felt compelled to make a statement because of the misinformation that has been swirling around the club. It felt important to offer some clarity and respect. There has been much nonsense spouted about the people on this stage.

‘There are those who lie in wait for any opportunity and any small opening to stir up toxicity around the club. Let me start by dispensing with the absurd caricature some people spread about my father and state some of his Celtic credentials. He’s a passionate and lifelong Celtic supporter.

‘He first put money into Celtic more than 30 years ago when Fergus McCann asked him for help.

Dermot Desmond was labelled a ‘passionate and lifelong Celtic supporter’ by his son, Ross

‘He became the principal shareholder when Fergus sold out and took on the responsibility that came with that. He wants the club to be healthy, successful and still thriving decades and even centuries from now.

‘The board shares those desires and that’s why the board respects financial reality. We act prudently, not recklessly. Those who accuse the club of hoarding cash or being in it for the money display a deep misunderstanding of financial responsibility.

‘The board has a duty of care to the shareholders, to the supporters and to the future of this club. We don’t declare dividends to distribute surplus cash to ordinary shareholders as many other businesses do. Cash is retained and used to sustain and develop our club.

‘We will not be railroaded by those whose only vocation in life is to be anti-establishment and by those who try to degrade the club.

‘Our focus is on all matters, improving this club step by step, systematically, without ever risking a future. Improving recruitment, investing in data analytics, upgrading facilities, enhancing the stadium and trying to make Celtic stronger in every way.

‘Criticism and advice are welcome and are the right of every supporter but some of what we have seen recently is not constructive, it is destructive and cynical. All it does is strengthen our resolve to protect the integrity and stability of Celtic Football Club.

‘Our board led by Peter and our executive led by Michael (Nicholson) are dedicated Celtic people. The attempts to dehumanise and vilify them are shameful. These are people with families, they love the club every bit as much as anyone here and when we are not performing they suffer just as much as anyone. They work tirelessly, often under intense pressure.

Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson have received the majority of the abuse from supporters

‘The incident a few weeks ago at Falkirk was symptomatic of wider behaviour that has not been… These people are bullies and they try to hijack the behaviour of Celtic supporters. We cannot allow them to define who we are. I’m well aware of the target I put on my back when I say this.’

This saw dozens of attendees rise to their feet to shout Desmond down. Lawwell then brought the meeting to a close after 24 minutes and 11 seconds.

He said: ‘I’m going to have to apologise to those shareholders who were here today with the best interest of the club at heart. Particularly those who had a question that they wanted to ask later on. But because of the disruption, we are going to draw the meeting to a close. I declare the meeting closed.’

With the formal business of the day incomplete, it’s expected that the meeting will how be rescheduled and held with only the directors present and votes taken by proxy.