‘No basis’ to Celtic buying stake in Shamrock Rovers
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THERE is “no basis” to reports that Celtic is planning to become a majority shareholder in Shamrock Rovers, according to a source from the Tallaght-based club.
Reports circulated late last week that billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond, who is a majority shareholder in Celtic, was driving forward a deal between Scottish Premier League side Celtic and League of Ireland team Shamrock Rovers that would see Celtic become a substantial shareholder in the club.
Shamrock Rovers played Celtic in Tallaght last July
The two clubs are on good terms, with Celtic having triumphed in two friendlies against the Hoops over the last two summers, but The Echo understands that there are no plans for Celtic to become majority shareholders in the club.
A source from Shamrock Rovers told The Echo: “There’s nothing in Celtic or Dermot Desmond buying a majority share in the club.
“The club is owned by the members and Ray Wilson, if any deal like that was going on then the members would have to sanction it.
“We’ve a great relationship with Celtic, but there is no basis to the club becoming a majority shareholder [in Shamrock Rovers].”
Separately, it was confirmed this week that former Irish international Damien Duff is set to move on from his role as a member of Rovers’ first team coaching staff to take up a coaching role with Celtic.
