McGowan warns the Celtic Directors with a message of caution, drawing a parallel to a Mars Bar Mutiny.

In a timely caution, Stephen McGowan has sounded an alert to the Celtic board, emphasizing the high stakes of the upcoming Glasgow Derby and the potential repercussions of a defeat. Drawing parallels with a crucial moment thirty years ago, the Celtic fanbase was divided over the effectiveness of the club directors, with some holding onto the belief that having the surnames White or Kelly bestowed special powers.

However, dissenters viewed the club as internally decaying, resistant to change, and falling behind in a rapidly evolving commercial landscape where sponsorships and external partnerships were vital for progress. Though Lou Macari had initiated some changes upon his arrival, the foundations were fragile. In a Glasgow Derby three decades ago, Celtic found themselves 2-0 down within five minutes, with the third goal hitting the net before the half-hour mark.

Despite managing a face-saving 2-4 defeat, there was no reprieve for the directors. The Macari era, along with the leadership of Terry Cassidy and David Smith, hired to propel the club into the future, came to an end. While a change in ownership for Celtic in 2024 seems unlikely, the aftermath of a 2-0 home defeat to Hearts revealed that a significant portion of the fanbase holds the directors, especially Chairman Peter Lawwell, responsible for the visible decline since Ange Postecoglou’s departure to Spurs.

McGowan, drawing on the historical unrest among fans, warns that even Wee Fergus won’t come to the rescue if Rangers secure their first victory at Parkhead in three years on Saturday. The whiff of dissatisfaction would permeate the air once more. However, at the recent AGM, Dermot Desmond’s son Ross asserted that Celtic’s major shareholder has no intention of stepping aside. Desmond, an Irish billionaire, believes he owes no explanation to anyone. If pressed, he would likely point to the 18 titles and five Trebles achieved since joining the board in 1995.

Despite this success, the current dissatisfaction among supporters echoes sentiments from three decades ago. The club finds itself back in the hands of family dynasties, and the squad, perceived as lacking power, pace, and quality, doesn’t appear to be a substantial upgrade from the past. The challenge is not merely about injecting funds but about spending wisely, a concern heightened by the lack of confidence inspired by the summer transfer window.

As the year draws to a close, the pressure mounts on everyone associated with Celtic to secure a victory. The unexpected shock of losing to Hearts two weeks ago is still fresh in the minds of many, and the prospect of another home defeat as they enter 2024 is something no one wants to contemplate. The call is for collective action, with the onus on the entire Celtic entity to deliver a positive result, whatever it takes, and whoever emerges as the hero on the day.