Significant overhaul is required at Celtic this summer, although that doesn’t automatically guarantee it will materialise.
Even if Martin O’Neill somehow steers Celtic to the league crown — or even secures a domestic double — it would arguably surpass anything Brendan Rodgers achieved in his second stint, because this campaign has felt disjointed from start to finish.
That backdrop has led Hugh Keevins to urge Dermot Desmond to step aside, insisting ‘the time has now come’ for the Scottish champions to embrace a ‘new dynamic.’
Desmond remains the key decision-maker at the top of the hierarchy at Celtic Park, something made clear when he publicly criticised Brendan Rodgers following his departure in October.
Hugh Keevins calls for Dermot Desmond to leave Celtic
Keevins has observed and covered Scottish football for decades, witnessing everything the Glasgow game has offered — including Celtic’s sustained dominance since the early 2000s.
Speaking on Clyde 1, the veteran broadcaster conceded that Desmond has been ‘very successful’, but argued that fresh leadership is now required to guide the club into its next phase.
That viewpoint will resonate with a sizeable section of the support, particularly after Sunday’s defeat to Hibernian saw Celtic surrender more ground in the Premiership title chase.
Where Keevins’ argument becomes debatable, however, is in the claim that the Hoops are being ‘overtaken by Rangers’, given their rivals have secured just one league title in roughly 15 years and do not currently sit top of the table.
That kind of reactive commentary deserves context. Celtic may be enduring a turbulent spell, but it should not overshadow years upon years of silverware — including more Trebles than Rangers have collected league championships in that period.
“This has been the season of three Celtic managers, two Celtic chairmen and one bad transfer window after another,” said Keevins“The club is in a chaotic state. When Brendan Rodgers left, and Dermot Desmond issued the statement that he did, things started to decline rapidly thereafter.
“Martin O’Neill has held Celtic together. Twice. Replacing Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy.
“My interpretation of events is that Dermot Desmond has been good for Celtic, but the time has come now. He has been there a long time. The club has been very successful.
“But the club now needs a new dynamic. Celtic are out of date. They are being overtaken by Rangers. I stand by what I said; the balance of power in Glasgow is shifting. From the east end to the southside.“Celtic need that fresh dynamic which comes with new ownership.”