Celtic fans stage late entry protest against board
There were notable gaps in the Celtic away end for the first 12 minutes at Rugby Park
- Published
Celtic fans continued to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the club's board by staging a late entry protest at Kilmarnock.
About half of the away support at Rugby Park took part in the protest for the first 12 minutes of the Scottish Premiership fixture.
A 2-1 win for Brendan Rodgers' side was decided by late penalty from Kelechi Iheanacho, the club's latest recruit.
But a substantial section of the fanbase remain angry about a lack of significant summer signings, and failure to reach the Champions League has heightened pressure on those in charge at Celtic Park.
Manager Rodgers said "I fully understand" when asked about the frustrations of the fans that led to the planned protest.
"You can't tell anyone how to feel," he told BBC Scotland pre-match.
"If you're bringing your kids and you want them to be in the stands for the start of the game, then supporters are within their rights.
"We're keen to make the football united and the spirit of the team. The fans and the board and the situation, I fully understand it and the frustration."
- Published18 June 2023
A lengthy club statement explaining recent recruitment was met with widespread derision and prompted an open letter from fans groups demanding answers for "repeated failures in transfer dealings".
Those groups have since released a joint communication saying their concerns have "still to be addressed" despite the open letter "representing tens of thousands of Celtic fans".
They cite a survey with 38,832 respondents and say there is an "overwhelming consensus" to back the following strategy.
"To build on the recent 'no confidence' votes on the Celtic FC board, seeking the removal of Michael Nicholson, CEO, Chris McKay, CFO, Peter Lawwell, chairman.
"To build a strategic, escalatory campaign against the Celtic board.
"To build a democratic and representative fan body.
"To coordinate a 'late entry' protest at Kilmarnock v Celtic to further visualise and vocalise fan discontent.
"To help progress these points and the fan movement generally, a steering group of volunteers is being assembled."
The joint statement ends: "It is natural that there will be a mix of feeling regarding some actions or inaction, however the most important consideration at this stage is maintaining, building and utilising broad fan support."