Tensions between Celtic's board and a section of its supporter base have deepened after the Green Brigade, one of the club's most vocal fan groups, confirmed plans to boycott Scottish Cup fixtures and home European matches this season.
The announcement marks a significant escalation in an ongoing dispute that has simmered for months, with the ultras accusing those in charge of the Glasgow club of becoming increasingly detached from the people who follow it week to week.
In a statement explaining the decision, the Green Brigade said "the disconnect between those who control Celtic and those who support it has never felt greater." The group went further, placing blame squarely on majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, claiming that "under the influence of Dermot Desmond, a dark cloud lingers over our club creating an increasingly unsustainable environment."
Desmond, long regarded as the most influential figure in Celtic's ownership structure, has himself become a target for frustrated supporters. He was the subject of a protest during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, where tennis balls were thrown in his direction as part of the demonstration.
Celtic's response to that incident was swift and firm. The club warned that anyone found to have played a role in "planning, facilitating or participating" in the protest could face an indefinite ban from Celtic Park and related club activities. Officials have treated the episode as a serious breach of conduct, signalling zero tolerance for actions targeting individuals connected to the boardroom.
In a further sign of the widening gulf between supporters and the hierarchy, Celtic have also withdrawn recognition of the Celtic Fans Collective as an official representative body. The Collective is made up of several supporter organisations, among them the Green Brigade, and had previously served as a channel for dialogue between fans and the club on matters of governance and matchday issues.
The Green Brigade reacted sharply to that decision, labelling it part of a pattern of hostility from the club towards organised fan groups. Describing the move as the club's "latest irrational statement," the group said it amounted to "another attack on supporters" and claimed it reflected "the utter disdain they have for our group."
The ultras were keen to distance themselves from direct involvement in the St Andrews protest, stating that none of their members took part in planning or carrying out the stunt. However, they did not condemn those responsible, instead offering praise for the individuals who orchestrated the demonstration against Desmond.
The dispute highlights a broader fracture within Celtic's support, pitting sections of the fanbase against what they view as an unaccountable ownership structure. For a club whose identity has historically been closely tied to its passionate support, the prospect of organised boycotts at cup and European fixtures represents a notable escalation that could affect atmosphere and attendance figures at Celtic Park in the months ahead.
With no immediate signs of reconciliation between the club's board and groups like the Green Brigade, the standoff appears likely to continue, raising questions about how Celtic will manage relations with its support base as the season progresses.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.