Desmond began his statement by defending his father, a “lifelong and passionate” Celtic supporter, and vowed that the board would not be “bullied by aggressive and irrational” criticism.

The Irishman defended Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson and claimed attempts to “dehumanise and vilify them are shameful”.

Desmond went on to criticise a section of fans over a recent incident that led to the Green Brigade ultras group being banned and added: “Those people are bullies”.

That was as far as he got in his statement as the reaction of the shareholders prompted Lawwell to bring the meeting to a close.

Directors had been met with boos and dozens of red cards from shareholders as they entered the packed Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park, with other fans watching via video link from another function suite.

Cries of “out, out, out” followed before there were cheers for O’Neill when the interim manager was introduced.

As a season review video began to play on big screens, Celtic Trust vice-chair Jeanette Findlay approached the top table to ask that the meeting move immediately to questions.

Amid more shouts and chants of “sack the board” from shareholders, Lawwell said: “This disruptive behaviour is not on. It’s got to stop. We have to have respect for everyone else in the room.”

After shouts of “you respect us”, Lawwell called a 30-minute adjournment.

When the meeting resumed, dozens of fans walked out as a series of videos were played on big screens while Lawwell, Nicholson and chief finance officer Chris McKay defended the board’s record.

They returned after the videos in anticipation of the usual question-and-answer session, but Desmond’s statement proved to the the final act.