THINGS are certainly tense between the Celtic board and the club’s supporters at the moment.
And that’s what ultimately led to representatives from each side heading for showdown talks on Monday night.
Celtic supporters have been venting their fury towards club chiefs for several weeks now.
A perceived disappointing summer transfer window was compounded by the shock Champions League exit at the hands of Kazakhstan minnows Kairat Almaty.
Anti-board chanting and protests have become regular themes at Hoops matches in recent times.
However, plans for a ‘silent protest‘ at the matches against Braga and Motherwell last week were called off after it was revealed Celtic chiefs had agreed to meet the Celtic Fans Collective on Monday.
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The Collective is an umbrella group of supporters.
At Monday night’s meeting at Celtic Park, Hoops chief executive Michael Nicholson and chief financial officer Chris McKay led the club’s contingent.
The fans were represented by a host of organisations, with the Celtic Fans Collective, the Celtic Supporters Association and the Celtic Trust among those present.
A day after the meeting, Celtic fans unleashed a fresh blast at the board.
The Green Brigade labelled them “unfit for purpose” and the Celtic Fans Collective accused the board representatives of “a lack of humility, awareness and accountability.”
Now, the minutes from the showdown meeting have been released by Celtic.
The board were challenged on the perceived “repeated failures in transfer dealings.”
It was frustrations regarding transfers that ultimately lit the fuse for Celtic fans’ anger this summer.
The minutes of the meeting show that Celtic “did not accept…. that transfer policy needs a fundamental overhaul.”
Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers was repeatedly vocal during the window about his desire for reinforcements.
And one particular issue raised specific to Rodgers was his comment earlier this summer regarding “club signings.”
Striker Shin Yamada joined Celtic in the summer from Kawasaki Frontale but has hardly featured since his arrival.
And following the Japanese frontman’s recruitment, Rodgers made a reference to “club signings” when discussing transfers.
That comment led to concern among Hoops fans that Rodgers was NOT having the final say on transfers – and that deals were being done above his head.
The Celtic boss did move to clarify his comments and insisted he DOES have the final say on incoming players.
The “club signings” comment was put to the Celtic board during the meeting with fans.
A supporter raised the comment while seeking clarity on if Rodgers OK’d all signings – something that was confirmed by Celts CEO Nicholson.
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When directly asked about Rodgers’ “club signings” comment, the minutes show that Nicholson “shrugged his shoulders.”
Hoops chiefs also fielded questions on the controversial club statement that was released early last month late on a Saturday night.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
