Celtic postpones its annual meeting amid protest over “dismissal of the board”

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell adjourned the Scottish champions’ annual meeting within five minutes after some shareholders chanted “sack the board”.

The directors were met with boos and dozens of red cards as they entered the Kerrydale Pavilion at Celtic Park.

Cries of “out, out, out” followed before there were cheers for caretaker manager Martin O’Neill as he was introduced by Lowell.

As a season review video began playing on the big screens, Celtic Trust vice-president Janet Findlay approached the top table to request that the meeting move immediately to questions.

Amid more shouts and chants demanding the board’s dismissal, Lowell said: “This disruptive behavior has not continued. It has to stop. We have to respect everyone else in the room.”

Amid cries of “You respect us,” Lowell called for a 30-minute adjournment before the meeting resumed shortly after 11:00 GMT.

The board of directors was subjected to significant criticism from fan groups due to the club’s summer transfer business and failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Key shareholder Dermot Desmond was not present at the meeting, and other fans watched via video link from another functional group.