6 Celtic AGM burning issues as Green Brigade protests and £100m project set to dominate agenda

Guy Fawkes Night may be behind us, but Celtic's AGM promises its own brand of fireworks.

On Friday morning, the Hoops hierarchy will take their places at the Kerrydale Suite's top table, ready to field questions from shareholders on the club’s direction. From cheeky digs at Rangers to debates over Peter Lawwell's infamous "heated driveway", it's always been one of the liveliest events of the Scottish football calendar.

Here, Football Scotland delves into six burning issues likely to dominate the agenda.

Celtic Fan Survey 2024

The results of the club’s extensive summer survey will be eagerly awaited. The 25-minute questionnaire sought fan feedback on matchday experiences and, crucially, gauged support for a potential new behind-the-goal standing section. The Green Brigade and Bhoys Celtic ultras have championed the idea of transforming the Jock Stein Stand into 'The Celtic End', a wall of green-and-white noise to rival Europe’s most famous atmospheres. While the move could breathe fresh energy into the stadium, the logistical hurdle of relocating affected season-ticket holders complicates matters. The survey results will reveal whether fans are ready to embrace such a radical change.

Pyros

The Green Brigade's passionate and creative displays often set the tone at Parkhead, but their use of pyrotechnics continues to strain relations with the board. Celtic recently faced a UEFA fine after fireworks were lit during last month's Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund, with the threat of an away fan ban also hanging over the club. Shareholders may press the board on their plans to address the issue before the sanction is triggered.

Palestine stance

Celtic fans' association with political causes is nothing new, but ongoing displays in support of Palestine have put the club in the spotlight. From flags and tifos to charitable fundraising, large sections of the fanbase including the Green Brigade have made their stance clear.

The board, however, have distanced itself from such displays, maintaining a politically neutral position. A minute’s silence at Rugby Park on Remembrance Sunday was disrupted by protests accusing the British government of "hypocrisy", drawing national attention and sparking fierce debate. How the hierarchy addresses this polarising topic will be closely scrutinised.

January war chest

On the pitch, Brendan Rodgers' side have been firing on all cylinders domestically and in Europe. With seven points from four Champions League games, Celtic are on course to reach the play-offs in the revamped competition.

However, Rodgers has his sights set higher and will need backing in the January window to continue the club's upward trajectory. With the club's annual accounts showing £77million in the bank, fans will be keen to hear how much of that war chest will be made available for reinforcements.

READ MORE: When is the Celtic AGM 2024? Date, start time and resolutions on the table for shareholders

Ticket exchange

Celtic's season ticket renewals are at an all-time high, so it's almost impossible for new hopefuls to get their hands on one. Thousands have already registered their names on a waiting list, forcing the club to close the scheme three years ago due to extraordinary demand. Yet what baffles regulars is seeing empty seats dotted around the stadium each matchday. This anomaly has prompted calls for a ticket exchange system to allow unused seats to be resold or transferred. While such schemes have pros and cons, shareholders are likely to demand an update on whether the club plans to adopt one.

Main stand rebuild

Only a handful of clubs worldwide could sell out their 60,000-capacity stadium every week and Celtic are one of them. An obvious solution to accommodating the soaring demand for tickets would be to redevelop the tired 8,000-seater main stand but its estimated rebuild costs would exceed well over £100m. Football Scotland understands there IS a desire within the club for this upgrade, but financial realities mean it’s unlikely to happen in the near future. Still, the topic invariably arises at AGMs and will likely be discussed again this year.