The Celtic AGM earlier today was unprecedented but for all the wrong reasons. It had to be adjourned within the first five minutes before being completely called off after 25 minutes. And it is safe to say that nobody came looking good out of it. The board would have expected a tough day, but it was pretty obvious from their reaction that they did not expect the fans to showcase their dissatisfaction to this extent.
Perhaps the decent run of results since Martin O'Neill has taken over as interim manager had given them that confidence. But it was clearly misplaced.
Then again, they should have seen it coming. The fan displeasure has never been about what the results have been this season. Instead, it is about how the club has been run for years now and the lack of ambition that has been shown.
O'Neill was present on the day and has made it very clear that he was sad about how things turned out at the AGM. At the same time, he has also hinted that a new managerial appointment could be close. As reported by the Daily Record, the interim Celtic manager said:
"Well, the one thing I would definitely guarantee, I'll not be around for the next AGM, so that is a certainty.
"It might actually might be rearranged for next week and I may not even be around for that.
"I'm probably a bit surprised that I am (still here), I thought maybe something might have got sorted out in the international break.
"But I think that there is definitely progress being made in that field."
Martin O'Neill drops clear hint after Celtic AGM mess
Well, there had been talk about Celtic closing in on the appointment of Wilfried Nancy during the international break. That noise has quietened down a lot in the past few days.
It has emerged that Celtic have not made an official approach yet, seeking permission to speak to Nancy. And one has to wonder how close that move really is. Is this a case of no news being good news? Or is the club having second thoughts?
Would the AGM have turned out differently if Celtic had appointed a manager right before it? Maybe, but we do not think so. The issues run deeper than that.
To be honest, we would not mind having O'Neill in charge until the Scottish League Cup final. Celtic have won all three domestic games, including one against the Rangers, since his arrival as interim manager. Bringing in somebody so close to it would pose a risk of derailing the momentum that has been built up. One cannot overlook the importance of the upcoming home fixture against league leaders Hearts as well.