Dermot Desmond has been Celtic’s majority shareholder for a number of years now.
The Irish billionaire has been hugely influential in the running of the club over this current period of time which has brought unprecedented success.
There are some fans who are not happy with the amount of time he invests in the club and Desmond is often referred to as ‘the absentee landlord’.
He is very rarely seen at Celtic Park which makes you wonder why he even bothered to get involved in the club.
But how did Desmond get to where he is at Celtic and how did he become our majority shareholder?
The Celtic Exchange podcast has been covering the 30th Anniversary of the day Fergus McCann saved Celtic in 1994 and the boys have interviewed a number of people who were involved incredible period in our history.
The entire series of The Battle to Save Celtic can be watched by clicking the link and it was Matt McGlone who shared just how Desmond started to hoover up shares to become the main at the club we see today.
McGlone said (The Celtic Exchange), “The controlling individual can come from Qatari. He can come from Bangkok, he can come from Indonesia. He can come from Dublin.
“Now without knowing who was who, the person that came in, came from Ireland and we obviously have a strong affiliation with Ireland.
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“As far as I understand this, I think I’m probably right here but any shares that weren’t taken up by the supporters were offered to Dermot Desmond. I think that’s how that came about.
“So obviously the fans don’t have deep pockets. They’re all working-class people with different bills to pay and families to look after. So there are only so many shares the average supporter can buy.
“So when those shares weren’t taken up, then they were offered to Dermot Desmond and that’s why he’s in that situation.”
Whatever your view of Desmond and his stewardship of the club, it is obvious that we have been absolutely dominant under his watch.
And whilst many fans are unhappy with his absenteeism, is it better the devil you know when it comes to having Desmond as the controlling influence at the club.
The saying be careful what you wish for when you remember the Kelly/Whyte era is very prevalent.
