---
title: "Celtic: Kieran Maguire praises Dermot Desmond’s ownership"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-kieran-maguire-praises-dermot-desmonds-ownership/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-04-17T19:15:09Z"
modified: "2022-04-17T19:15:09Z"
---

# Celtic: Kieran Maguire praises Dermot Desmond’s ownership

**Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has been described as a ‘benevolent dictator’ by financial football expert Kieran Maguire.**

### The Lowdown: Desmond oversees glorious period

The 71-year-old has a [35%](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-owner-desmond-is-a-dictator-amid-new-comments-maguire/) stake in the Hoops, who he has supported throughout his life, having initially owned a chunk of Manchester United during the 2000s before selling his share to Malcolm Glazer.

Desmond has overseen a great period in Celtic’s history, with trophies coming thick and fast and another Scottish Premiership title looking likely to arrive next month.

At a time when billionaires own clubs and don’t necessarily care deeply about them, Demsond’s Hoops roots make it a different situation at Parkhead.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389441″\]

### The Latest: Maguire praises ownership

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-owner-desmond-is-a-dictator-amid-new-comments-maguire/), Maguire discussed the Irishman’s frugal ownership style, praising it overall:

> “If you’re a fan first and an owner second, you’re going to do what you think’s best for the club’s best interests. I’ve always said that the best ownership model is one of a benevolent dictator, who will act in the best interest at heart.
>
> “He’s a billionaire that happens to be a fan, rather than a billionaire who wants an executive toy.  It’s slightly different because he is a very prudent owner. Could Celtic have accelerated the gap between them and Rangers in recent years? Perhaps.
>
> “But I think they have always taken the view that they have got the biggest stadium and some of the biggest commercial deals, and that is sufficient.”

[Key latest Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-2/)

### The Verdict: Positives outweigh negatives

Football club owners are almost never universally popular among supporters and that is no different with Desmond, with fans [criticising](https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/celtic-fans-fume-dermot-desmond-24643275) him numerous times in the past.

That being said, the positives outweigh the negatives with him and he is ensuring Celtic are run in a sensible fashion, often spending within their means.

Desmond cares deeply about the Hoops, which immediately works in their favour, and when he eventually sells up, it could be a case of only appreciating him when he’s gone.

***In other news, a report has made an exciting Celtic transfer claim. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-report-makes-exciting-christopher-scott-claim/).***