SNS GroupCeltic fans have gathered outside the club’s stadium to protest against the board of directors and the current running of the club’s operations.
Supporters demonstrated at the ground ahead of the Premiership match against Dundee, making their feelings known about what they call a sustained lack of planning and investment in the first team squad.
Celtic are currently working to revamp their squad following the appointment of manager Ange Postecoglou.
The protest was organised by a number of supporters’ groups, including the Celtic Trust, the Green Brigade and North Curve Celtic.
The fans’ groups had circulated the call to protest on social media with the message “The Celtic support has backed Ange. The board must do the same. Hold the board to account.”
Though Celtic had enjoyed domestic success in recent years, with nine consecutive league titles and four consecutive trebles, the club suffered a sharp slump in performance last season, losing their grip on all three major Scottish trophies.
That led to the departure of Neil Lennon in March but also preceded a summer of change where long-standing chief executive Peter Lawwell stepped down from his position to be replaced by Dominic McKay, while a number of players left the club.
After a long-running pursuit of former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe collapsed, Postecoglou was brought in but he has been forced to work with a limited squad while Celtic look to bring in new recruits.
The team was knocked out of Champions League qualifying at the first stage and lost their opening Premiership match to hearts last weekend.Fans believe the situation is down to a lack of forward planning by the club’s leadership.
In a statement published by the Celtic Trust in July, the organisation and fellow supporters’ groups accused the board of arrogance and complacency.
A joint statement read: “With a new era dawning at Celtic, we first and foremost welcome Ange Postecoglou and offer our support to him and the team in their quest to return success to the club.
“For the second season running, the Celtic support has committed to backing the team, renewing season tickets in their tens of thousands, despite ongoing uncertainty regarding if, and when, fans might return to stadiums.
“Regrettably, over the course of the last year this support has often been taken for granted by the current custodians, who have mistreated the fanbase and mismanaged the club we all love.
“Whilst there remains understandable anger over the arrogance and complacency demonstrated by the PLC board, we cannot simply continue as normal given the severity of these concerns.
“We have therefore set out an action plan that allows the Celtic support to demonstrate their full backing for Ange Postecoglou and the first team squad, whilst also holding the PLC to account over their conduct.”
The groups called for funding and backing for the manager in the transfer market, structural change in the running of the club, and improved treatment of fans.
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