Journalist Stephen McGowan has warned that Celtic shareholders must avoid a repeat of last year’s disrupted Annual General Meeting, arguing that the club’s board needs to face serious questions about its running of the club.

Celtic have yet to confirm the date and arrangements for their 2026 AGM, but questions surrounding the board’s relationship with supporters remain firmly on the agenda.

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Speaking on PLZ Soccer alongside Peter Martin and Gordon Parks, McGowan questioned whether the situation at Celtic had improved in the 12 months since the previous meeting was abandoned.

“I mean, it’s amazing that here we are 12 months since that capsule of the abandoned AGM and you would have thought they would have used the 12 months to try and make things better. Paper over cracks, extend olive branches. And yet, would you say they’re any better? Would you say they’re actually worse off now than they were 12 months ago?”

McGowan also suggested the relationship between supporters and the board had deteriorated further.

“That’s remarkable though, isn’t it? The 12 months have passed and if anything, the situation feels a bit more toxic than it did then.”

The upcoming AGM is expected to bring renewed scrutiny of Celtic’s leadership, with shareholder groups seeking answers on a range of issues.

The Celtic Trust has had three proposed resolutions accepted for inclusion, including a call for a longer-term plan covering the club’s football and business operations, a review of security arrangements and an apology concerning Ross Desmond’s intervention at the previous AGM.

However, McGowan believes shareholders must ensure their concerns are properly heard rather than allow another meeting to descend into disruption.

Reflecting on criticism he received over a previous column, he explained why he had challenged the behaviour of some attendees.

“Yeah, I made a comment in a column about performative grandstanding, which didn’t go down well with some of those who were guilty of that last year. The point wasn’t really to have a jibe at them. The point was to say that what happened then was it denied shareholders the chance to ask legitimate questions that have to be asked.”

The journalist also directed criticism towards Celtic’s leadership, questioning the board’s willingness to engage with supporters.

“I think that’s the only opportunity they really get with boards who don’t really feel they need to put their head above the parapet. They don’t communicate, they’re not really accountable. So you need to use that time wisely.”

McGowan acknowledged why organised supporter groups have sought to make their dissatisfaction known but argued that shareholders could achieve more by ensuring directors are pressed for answers.

“And that’s the thing about the disruption. I understand why groups like the Celtic Fans Collective and so on want to do that to make a point and get it. But as you say, Peter (Martin), I think there are big questions that really need to be asked and really need to be answered.”

He added: “And you’re going to have to kind of like call the board’s bluff in a sense and actually just keep a lid on it and make sure they’re asked this year.”

His comments come at a significant time for Celtic, with dissatisfaction over the club’s governance and direction remaining a prominent issue among sections of the support.

McGowan also expressed uncertainty about whether Celtic could hold the meeting online, suggesting the club would need to provide clarity on its plans.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think… I don’t know if they can actually as a PLC.

“I don’t know, there’s not much clarity on that. It should be announced, it should be probably next day or so I would imagine, next few days. They’re going to have to clarify something.”

With the AGM arrangements still awaiting confirmation, attention will turn to how Celtic intends to handle the meeting and whether shareholders will have a proper opportunity to challenge the board over the issues raised during the past year.

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