Celtic supporters have been expressing their dissatisfaction, irritation and anger toward the board throughout the entire season.
Whether Wilfried Nancy is occupying the Celtic technical area or the iconic Martin O’Neill, the same sentiments have been repeated time and again.
At the weekend, as Celtic defeated Dundee in the Scottish Cup, a section of the fanbase chose not to take their places at Parkhead and instead made their stance known by staying away.
That decision appears to have frustrated Frank McAvennie, as he outlined why he believes it’s a ‘problem’ for the Celtic players out on the pitch.
Frank McAvennie questions Celtic fans’ Dundee boycott:
Premier Sports covered Celtic’s Scottish Cup clash with Dundee, and the large number of empty seats was highlighted in commentary prior to kick-off.
However, speaking on his Let Me Be Frank Podcast, McAvennie suggested that such protests ‘really affect the players’, which is why he takes issue with the approach.
McAvennie added, ‘I am not having a go at the Celtic Fans Collective’, but insisted that some supporters simply want to ‘take their kids and go watch the game.’
Simon Houston: “The other big talking point is the boycott seemed to take effect, as far as the numbers.”
McAvennie: “I have got a problem. I am all for people protesting and going against whatever they want to go against. It’s a free country, you can do whatever you want.
“As an ex-player, I think it affects the players. I think it really affects the players. I am not having a go at the collective or whoever it is.
“But people buy their tickets. Some people just want to take their kids and go watch the game. Support Celtic. All I did as a boy was support Celtic. My dad wouldn’t have got involved in not going against the board.
“Trust me, some of these guys don’t know what is around the corner. A new board? My God. Celtic have won, how many trophies in the last ten years? Because we have a bad team. I get they have money. They have spent. The fact that they have spent less money than St Mirren, who have spent £100k.”
Martin O’Neill remains the glue at Celtic:
It would not be surprising if a number of Celtic fans disagree with McAvennie’s remarks and feel he is simply staying on the right side of those in the Parkhead boardroom.
Regardless, these debates are likely to continue, whatever side of the argument you fall on.
One thing, however, that most in green and white can unite behind is O’Neill and the outstanding work he is doing in attempting to guide the Scottish champions toward a domestic double.
At present, O’Neill is the binding force at Celtic, and there is a genuine concern about where the Hoops might find themselves without him.