Green Brigade unveil new banner and statement condemning Celtic 'millionaires' and manager Neil Lennon

Celtic supporters group The Green Brigade have unveiled a new banner condemning the main three Celtic Park figureheads and released a statement denouncing the club’s board.

Celtic have struggled to meet expectations so far this season. Picture: SNS

A picture shared on social media showed supporters holding up pictures of majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, chief executive Peter Lawwell and manager Neil Lennon with a message that read “no connection” in relation to the disconnect that they now believe exists between fans and club.

An accompanying statement railed on the “millionaires in charge of the club” who are only happy to accept the passion of the support if “it can be commodified”, citing the backing that Celtic has received during the coronavirus pandemic.

The green half of Glasgow have been left furious over recent weeks as the men in charge at Parkhead refuse to part ways with their head coach, despite Celtic falling 11 points behind rivals Rangers in the search for ten-in-a-row and exiting the group stages of the Europa League with only one point from five matches.

A supporter protest after the Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County last weekend was criticised by the club, before a statement from Lawwell called for “unity” as they continued to back the manager.

The Green Brigade have stated their belief that Desmond, Lawwell and the club’s board are no longer fit to run the club.

The statement read in full: “Events over the course of the last two weeks have further highlighted that change is desperately required at Celtic Football Club. Three consecutive defeats have added to an already disastrous start to the season.

“Developments off the park have been equally troubling as the Celtic board appears woefully unprepared to make the change required, whilst briefing journalists that they are set on retaining the manager to spite fans who have sought his removal.

“There is a growing disconnect between those who run the club and those who sustain it – epitomised by today’s pictures of fencing around Celtic Park to keep fans at bay.

“In a year when fans have been asked to pay full price for a season ticket for matches they cannot attend, amidst a global pandemic and economic recession, a clear message has been sent to the Celtic support by the millionaires in charge of our club – that we do not matter to them.

“Our passion is only acceptable if it can be commodified, our support only truly important when season-book renewals are issued. Whilst we still believe that a managerial change is unfortunately necessary, the structural problems within the club run deeper.

“A boardroom dominated by an absentee landlord major shareholder who puts his own ego above the interests of our club in this most historic of seasons. A chief executive paid £3.5m last year, with no contingency plan for our season and who bears primary responsibility for the situation we now find ourselves in.

"A recent statement released in Peter Lawwell’s name urged unity, but this can only occur with leadership that puts the good of the club first. If the current custodians cannot provide that in this crucial moment, they are demonstrating that they are unfit to hold the positions that they do.”

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