Dermot Desmond made a rare appearance at Celtic Park on Wednesday night as Martin O’Neill marked his homecoming with a convincing 4–0 victory over Falkirk.
The Irish billionaire was joined in the directors’ box by chairman Peter Lawwell, chief executive Michael Nicholson and chief financial officer Chris McKay, as the club’s hierarchy watched on following one of the most turbulent weeks in recent memory.
After the storm surrounding Brendan Rodgers’ sudden exit, there was a sense of calm and authority about Celtic’s performance. O’Neill’s first match back in the Parkhead dugout since 2005 saw his side dominate from start to finish, easing to a much-needed Premiership win that lifted the mood across the stadium.
Johnny Kenny was the star of the night, scoring twice in the first half to set Celtic on course before Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti added further goals in the second. For Desmond and his fellow directors, the result will have offered some relief after days of scrutiny over the club’s leadership and communication.
While O’Neill’s appointment is temporary, the presence of Desmond and the senior board members underlined how significant this moment is for Celtic. All four looked on as the team rediscovered some of the intensity and structure that had been missing in recent weeks. The atmosphere inside Parkhead was far more upbeat, with supporters responding warmly to the new interim management team of O’Neill and Shaun Maloney.
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Falkirk – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – October 29, 2025 Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill acknowledges the fans inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Kenny’s sharp finishing, Nygren’s creativity, and a commanding defensive display from Auston Trusty and Liam Scales helped ensure a routine win, but also a reminder that Celtic remain very much alive in the title race.
For Desmond, it was a night to quietly take stock. Celtic looked more like a side ready to fight again, and with Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden on the horizon, the performance offered a timely boost both on and off the pitch.
After weeks of boardroom controversy, the football finally did the talking, and it spoke loudly in O’Neill’s favour.
