Pat Bonner reacts to Celtic fans chanting ‘sack the board’ during defeat to Hearts

The reaction from Celtic fans during Saturday’s defeat against Hearts was the culmination of building frustration. Only a week prior, the team was unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership until a deserved loss to Kilmarnock. Brendan Rodgers’ management has raised concerns, particularly regarding the team’s lack of aggressiveness and speed.

Criticism has been directed at the Celtic board for not investing more in proven stars to propel the club forward. When discontented fans voiced their displeasure with chants of ‘sack the board’ at Parkhead, Celtic legend Pat Bonner expressed his disagreement on BBC Radio Scotland (16/12/23). Bonner expressed discomfort at seeing fans arguing among themselves, especially during the second half when the team was trailing 2-0 with no visible improvement.

Despite the team’s poor showing and the fans’ vocal dissatisfaction, Bonner highlighted that Celtic still occupies the top spot in the Scottish Premiership. He acknowledged the discontent, stating, “I think somebody is having a go at the Celtic board,” but emphasized that it’s still too early to rule out their league aspirations.

As ‘sack the board’ chants echoed through the stadium, Bonner commented on the unusual reaction, saying, “It has been a while since I have seen that reaction – we lost a lot of focus there around the game. I have got to say, considering Celtic are still top of the league – I don’t like to see the fans arguing amongst themselves.”

With immense pressure now on the players, especially against Livingston, Bonner stressed the importance of a strong start to the upcoming matches. The next three games, including Livingston, an away fixture at Dundee, and a clash with Rangers, are crucial for restoring a positive atmosphere at the club. Winning these matches may not change the overall situation significantly, but it could inject a much-needed feel-good factor back into the club.