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Celtic Faces Ownership Speculation Amid Season Struggles

Published 27 March 2026

Celtic Football Club faces mounting pressure from fans and pundits alike as speculation swirls around majority shareholder Dermot Desmond's long-term plans, amid a season marred by poor results, managerial upheaval, and boardroom controversies.

The Scottish Premiership champions, currently trailing leaders Hearts by five points with seven games remaining, have endured a campaign of instability. Brendan Rodgers departed earlier in the season following public criticism from Desmond, who questioned the manager's conduct. Wilfried Nancy's subsequent appointment as head coach lasted only briefly before his dismissal, leading to veteran Martin O'Neill returning for a second stint as caretaker. O'Neill's side has struggled with injuries to key players like Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Jota, exposing squad depth issues and recruitment shortcomings. January signings, primarily loans and free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, failed to turn the tide, leaving Celtic vulnerable in a tight title race involving Hearts, Rangers, and Motherwell.

Fan frustration has boiled over, fueled by decisions such as bans on independent media access and the ultras group Green Brigade, as...

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