Celtic owner Dermot Desmond escorted off St Andrews course after fan protest

Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond was escorted off the course by security at the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews on Saturday after fans threw tennis balls onto the 15th green during the pro-am event.

The tennis balls carried images of Desmond’s face crossed out, in what the Celtic Fans Collective later described as a deliberate protest against the 76-year-old’s stewardship of the club. The group posted video and photographs of the incident on X alongside a statement demanding change at the top of the club.

“Dermot Desmond has essentially been allowed to run Celtic Football Club whilst using his wealth to hide from supporters and accountability,” the statement read. “Fans took the chance today to send a message that this arrangement cannot continue.”

The protest reflects growing frustration among a section of the support despite Celtic sitting top of the Scottish Premiership, two points clear of rivals Rangers. Martin O’Neill’s side won a domestic double last season, claiming the Premiership title on the final day ahead of Hearts.

However, results immediately before the international break sharpened the discontent. Celtic lost three consecutive matches, including two defeats to Rangers — one of them at Parkhead — and were beaten 3-1 at home by Ferencvaros in their opening Europa League fixture.