Kieran Maguire labels Dermot Desmond a ‘dictator’ as Celtic takeover stance revealed
Dermot Desmond is a “benevolent dictator” in his approach at Celtic.
That is the view of finance guru Kirean Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 71-year-old’s ownership model at Parkhead.
The Irish billionaire businessman is the Hoops’ biggest individual shareholder with a 35 per cent stake in the club.
He told Celtic TV last Friday (8 April): “Even if somebody offers me a price three or four times the share price, I’m not selling.”
Maguire weighed up the pros and cons of having a supporter make the biggest decision behind the scenes.
“If you’re a fan first and an owner second, you’re going to do what you think’s best for the club’s best interests,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“I’ve always said that the best ownership model is one of a benevolent dictator, who will act in the best interest at heart
“He’s a billionaire that happens to be a fan, rather than a billionaire who wants an executive toy.
“It’s slightly different because he is a very prudent owner. Could Celtic have accelerated the gap between them and Rangers in recent years? Perhaps.
“But I think they have always taken the view that they have got the biggest stadium and some of the biggest commercial deals, and that is sufficient.”
Celtic take on Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final today (17 April).
They are also six points clear of their Glasgow rivals in the league with five games to go.
In other news, pundit suggests Celtic handed big boost thanks to Rangers after “super important” news.