Matters Arising from Celtic’s 2024 AGM: KEY ISSUES Addressed by the Board and Celtic fans Would be HAPPY to Know the Club’s Stance on This Matters of Urgency….

Celtic 2024 AGM Roundup: Key Takeaways and Unanswered Questions

The Celtic 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place earlier today, providing shareholders and fans with an opportunity to engage with the club’s board and address pressing concerns.

While the meeting shed light on several key issues, some questions remained unanswered, leaving fans seeking further clarification.

One of the primary concerns raised was the club’s January transfer budget. Although Peter Lawwell, Celtic’s Chief Executive, did not provide a direct answer, he reassured fans that the board would do everything in their power to ensure domestic success and European progression.

Lawwell stated, “We will do everything we can to continue to bring domestic success and European progression to the club.”

Chris McKay, Celtic’s Financial Director, added that while the club’s substantial cash reserves of £77.2m could be used to strengthen the first team, they must also serve as a contingency plan in the event of failing to secure Champions League qualification in the future.

The Celtic End initiative, which proposes the creation of a larger safe-standing section, was another topic of discussion. Michael Nicholson, Celtic’s CEO, acknowledged the demand from fans but emphasized the need to examine the practicalities of implementing such a project.

Nicholson said, “We need to look through the practicalities due to the demand from the fans.”

The issue of pyrotechnics and fan behavior at European games was also addressed. Lawwell described the recurring fines imposed by UEFA as “unacceptable” and acknowledged the club’s efforts to address the problem. However, Nicholson conceded that the current system for distributing away tickets is imperfect and that the pyrotechnics issue is a broader problem affecting football as a whole.

Lawwell stated, “The fines are unacceptable, and we have tried and failed to look at the ticket allocations to stop this.”

Nicholson added, “The system we have on distributing away briefs is not perfect, but the pyro issue is not just a Celtic one, it’s an overall football problem.”

Other topics discussed during the AGM included the potential redevelopment of the Main Stand and the expansion of Celtic Park. Nicholson revealed that the board has given considerable thought to these proposals but emphasized that a decision to proceed would be influenced by various factors, including the club’s potential participation in the Premier League.

Nicholson said, “We have thought long and hard about it, but if the club was in the Premier League, it would make that decision easier.”

The Celtic Fan Survey, which was conducted earlier this year, remains a topic of interest, with many fans eager to learn about the results. Nicholson mentioned the survey in passing but failed to provide any meaningful updates, sparking disappointment among fans.

Nicholson stated, “Supporter engagement is a shared ambition, but I haven’t had the chance to look through the Fan Survey yet.”

In conclusion, while the Celtic 2024 AGM addressed several key concerns, some questions remain unanswered, leaving fans seeking further clarification on issues such as the Celtic Fan Survey and the potential redevelopment of Celtic Park.