The almost inexplicably poor way that Celtic has been run, is now garnering global attention.

The fact we have a serious title race for the first time in many years, and it involves clubs not based in Glasgow, has caught the attention of sporting journalists around the world.

However, for those willing to delve beyond the superficial, it immediately begs the question ‘how did this come to pass?’

Celtic’s dominance has been near absolute domestically for so long, that external observers are confused as to how one of the most profitable clubs in world football, has been reeled in by a twelve year old outfit and a club with 17% of Celtic’s revenues.

Renowned football executive, shareholding director and facilitator of club takeovers Charlie Methven, delivered a devastating takedown of Dermot Desmond’s stewardship of Celtic on his ‘breakdown’ podcast hosted on the ‘business of sport’ channel.

It is fascinating to watch parties with no vested interest in Scottish football, but with long experience in football boardrooms, dismantling the running of the club and arriving at the conclusion the fans arrived at many moons ago.

It’s farcical.

He starts by accusing the club of complacency. Confirming that Celtic’s native (non TV) revenues are massive, he notes that there are premier league club’s whose revenue’s barely exceed those of Celtic, and that’s with the benefit of the world’s most generous TV deal.

Interestingly he believes with the benefit of that deal and the accompanying commercial sponsorships, it would see Celtic’s turnover in the region of £400m and ensconce them firmly in the top echelon of the much vaunted EPL.

Something we’ve always known but is rarely acknowledged by EPL fans and journos, who for some reason fail to equate hypothetical participation in their league with receipt of the riches on offer.

He then references the old board’s notorious biscuit tin mentality and describes the current inexplicable hoarding of cash as a similar mindset.

Suggesting that an institution as significant as Celtic should possibly be utilising a multi club model and own what would effectively be feeder clubs.

Appalled by the club’s consistent European failings, he compares us most unfavourably to our European peers (financially at least) such as Ajax and Benfica.

In an exchange with the host, they discuss what they see as Celic’s laughable ratio of wages to revenue. The ideal percentage of spend being identified as 50-60% whereas Celtic splurge with a massive 20%!!

They acknowledge that Celtic fans are entirely entitled to see the money they invest in the business, in turn invested in the team and the stadium.

We’re not begging a billionaire to put his hand in his pocket, we’re asking that a PLC board running a profitable and sustainable club, demonstrate ‘responsible stewardship’ as Mr Methven describes it, in order to realise some demonstrably achievable goals which would see the club become a European force once again.

Methven also covers the obvious need for a stadium upgrade.

The final relevant topic was how to oust the malign, regressive influence that is the non executive director and minority shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Methven suggests fan groups should partner with private equity to buy out his stake. The private equity firm to exit in an agreed timeframe with shares offered to fans once more.

I believe we’re now at an inflection point.

Action is not only desirable, but absolutely necessary to ensure the future success and financial wellbeing of the club.

Mr Desmond and his minions have proved themselves unworthy of this Club’s legacy and especially of its fans.

Those ambitions we believe to be foundational, they believe to be aspirational.

This has proven to be an unbridgeable gap and the entire executive have demonstrated they are unable to meet the challenge.