Celtic owner targeted by fan protest as he played in St Andrews pro-am

During his appearance at the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews, Celtic’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond faced a demonstration from fans. The 76-year-old businessman, who has faced criticism for perceived stagnation in the club’s performance, was participating in the pro-am event on Saturday when the disturbance occurred on the green of the 15th hole. Tennis balls with images of Desmond's face obscured were thrown at him, and security quickly removed him from the course.

Following the incident, the Celtic Fans Collective issued a statement on X, sharing photos and video of the protest. The organization demanded change at the top of the club, highlighting Desmond's perceived ability to operate the football team while shielding himself from accountability. The statement continued, "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."

Currently, Celtic sits atop the domestic league table, leading Hearts by two points after clinching the Premiership title in a final day showdown last season. The team has formed a domestic double, but they have suffered losses in their last three games before the international break. These defeats include two setbacks to Rangers – one at Celtic Park and another at home – as well as a 3-1 defeat to Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener.