Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s largest shareholder, was targeted in a protest at the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews. Tennis balls with Desmond’s face scored out were thrown on to the green of the 15th hole of the pro-am competition, and images show Desmond having to be escorted off the course by security.
The Celtic Fans Collective released a statement, footage, and images of the incident. The statement read: “Dermot Desmond has essentially been allowed to run Celtic Football Club whilst using his wealth to hide from supporters and accountability. Fans took the chance today to send a message that this arrangement cannot continue.”
The Protest at St Andrews
Desmond is the largest individual shareholder of the Scottish Premiership club. The protest came during the Alfred Dunhill Links, a professional-amateur competition held at the Old Course at St Andrews.
The Celtic Fans Collective described the action as a message that Desmond’s arrangement with the club cannot continue. They argued that Desmond has used his wealth to hide from supporters and accountability.
Desmond’s Record at Celtic
Desmond has faced criticism for the club’s lack of progress in Europe and underwhelming transfer business. Brendan Rodgers resigned at the beginning of last season, and Desmond blamed the former manager for much of the problems that marred the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual general meeting | Abandoned due to fan unrest; Desmond’s son Ross read out a statement |
| Green Brigade incident | Group banned following a recent incident |
| Protest at St Andrews | Tennis balls with Desmond’s face scored out thrown; Desmond escorted off by security |
At Celtic’s annual general meeting last November, which had to be abandoned due to fan unrest, Desmond’s son Ross read out a statement on his behalf. Ross defended his father as a “lifelong and passionate” Celtic supporter and vowed the board would not be “bullied by aggressive and irrational” criticism.
Desmond’s Response
Desmond defended then chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson, calling attempts to “dehumanise and vilify them” shameful. He also criticised a section of fans over a recent incident that led to the Green Brigade ultras group being banned, adding: “Those people are bullies.”
The Fan Unrest History
Fan unrest has been a recurring problem at Celtic. The annual general meeting last November had to be abandoned due to fan unrest, with Desmond’s son Ross reading out a statement on his behalf.
The Green Brigade ultras group was banned following a recent incident. Desmond criticised those fans, describing them as bullies.
The Two Sides
The protest at St Andrews was a direct response to Desmond’s role at the club. The Celtic Fans Collective wants Desmond held to account for the direction Celtic has taken, arguing he has used his wealth to avoid supporters and scrutiny.
Desmond’s own response has been to defend himself and his associates. He defended Lawwell and Nicholson, and criticised the fans who banned the Green Brigade.
Where the paper stands
The paper backs neither side here, but it takes the opportunity to remind readers that when power gathers in one place, whatever the reason, it gets abused, and that the best way to keep anyone honest is to keep them within reach of those who watch them most closely. Desmond controls the club and its transfers, and has answered fan unrest with defensiveness rather than openness.
This story shows power gathered in one person’s hands, and the result is defensiveness, not answers. Desmond has not opened the books, and when fans tried to make themselves heard, he did not engage — he defended his associates and called critics bullies. That is the pattern of power gathering in one place, wherever it sits.
The reader should watch whether Desmond actually opens up the club’s workings after this, or keeps hiding behind statements read by his son. The protest showed supporters will find ways to be heard, and the question now is whether Desmond will listen — or simply let the unrest grow louder.
Key Facts Box
- Protest: Alfred Dunhill Links, St Andrews, 15th hole of the pro-am competition
- Target: Dermot Desmond, 76 years old, Celtic’s largest shareholder
- Item thrown: Tennis balls with Desmond’s face scored out
- Outcome: Desmond escorted off the course by security
- Statement: Released by Celtic Fans Collective, with footage and images
What This Means for Celtic
Desmond’s response has been defensive. He has defended his son, Lawwell and Nicholson while criticising fans who banned the Green Brigade. That stance puts him at odds with the very supporters who brought the protest.
The protest at St Andrews was a direct message to Desmond. He has been told his arrangement cannot continue. Whether he listens remains to be seen.
Source material: “Desmond targeted by Celtic fan protest at Alfred Dunhill,” the BBC.
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