Celtic Chairman Calls for Unity Amid Fan Protests

Celtic’s interim chairman, Brian Wilson, has appealed for unity among supporters as some fans plan to boycott the upcoming Scottish Cup match against Dundee.

Supporters’ groups have encouraged fellow fans to refrain from attending the last-16 tie at Parkhead while they continue to demand changes within the club. A significant portion of the fanbase remains dissatisfied with the board, citing a disappointing transfer window as a primary concern.

Wilson acknowledged the criticism regarding the board’s lack of engagement but expressed hope that supporters can rally behind the team led by manager Martin O’Neill. “I don’t expect all issues to be resolved overnight,” Wilson stated in an interview with Celtic TV. “However, I believe the majority of Celtic supporters desire unity behind the team.”

He emphasized the importance of focusing on the team in the short term while still addressing ongoing issues. “It is up to individuals to determine whether boycotting the stadium is beneficial. That is a personal decision for each supporter to make.”

Following the resignation of former chairman Peter Lawwell at the end of December, citing “abuse and threats,” Wilson recognized that fan engagement had not met his expectations in the past month. He attributed this mainly to prioritizing the transfer window. Wilson commended O’Neill, assistant coach Shaun Maloney, and the players for regaining momentum in the Scottish Premiership title race.

The winter transfer window presented challenges, compounded by the dismissal of manager Wilfried Nancy and head of football operations, Paul Tisdale, in early January. The club managed to secure five loan signings by the deadline and rejected a significant bid of up to £25 million from Nottingham Forest for midfielder Arne Engels.

Additionally, Celtic is in discussions to sign free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, formerly with Arsenal and Liverpool. After a “turbulent” month, Wilson revealed that the club has reached out to every supporters’ group and is optimistic about arranging meetings within the next week.

“Let’s see if we can move forward,” he added. “There is no reluctance on my part to engage, and I hope this can be implemented soon. While we may not agree on every matter, it is crucial to communicate about these issues without detracting from the atmosphere within the stadium.”