Celtic supporters have made their feelings towards the board crystal clear throughout the season.
Those frustrations have not eased regardless of who has been in charge, from Wilfried Nancy earlier in the campaign to the return of Martin O’Neill. The same complaints have continued to surface week after week.
During Saturday’s Scottish Cup win over Dundee, that discontent spilled into the stands. A noticeable section of the fanbase chose not to attend the match at Parkhead, making their point by staying away rather than filling their seats.
That approach has not gone down well with Frank McAvennie, who believes the protest risks hurting the very people trying to deliver results on the pitch.
Frank McAvennie questions Celtic fan boycott
With Premier Sports covering the cup tie, the empty seats were highlighted on commentary before kick-off. McAvennie later addressed the issue on his Let Me Be Frank podcast, where he said the absence of supporters can have a direct impact on the players.
He stressed that his criticism was not aimed at any specific fan group, but argued that the atmosphere created by a full stadium matters.
Simon Houston raised the subject by noting how visible the boycott appeared in the attendance figures. McAvennie responded by saying he supports the right to protest but feels the players feel it when the stands are sparse.
He explained that many fans simply want to attend matches with their families, back the team and enjoy the football. Drawing on his own upbringing, McAvennie said supporting Celtic was all he ever did as a boy, without involvement in boardroom disputes.
He also warned that change is not always straightforward, suggesting that replacing the current hierarchy does not guarantee improvement. In his view, Celtic’s recent trophy haul should not be ignored, even if supporters remain unhappy with spending levels and decisions behind the scenes.
Martin O’Neill holding things together
McAvennie’s comments are likely to divide opinion among the Celtic support, with some feeling he is defending those in charge rather than the fans. That debate looks set to continue.
What most can agree on, however, is the influence of Martin O’Neill. His presence has brought stability back to the club at a turbulent time, and he remains central to Celtic’s push for silverware this season.
Right now, O’Neill feels like the figure keeping everything together at Parkhead, and it is difficult not to wonder where Celtic would be without him.