IT has been a turbulent week in Glasgow’s East End. Celtic may be top of the league but the atmosphere surrounding the club has been dominated by discontent between the supporters and the board, candid reflections from Adam Idah following his departure, and growing anticipation ahead of the coming trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.

The level of unity among the fans has been striking. More than 350 groups and associations came together to sign a letter addressed directly to the board demanding clarity over transfer policy, long-term planning and the club’s wider direction. Seven pointed questions were put forward and the tone of the statement left no doubt that the supporters felt both frustrated and excluded from the decision-making process. In their eyes transparency and respect are long overdue.

When the club response arrived it quickly became clear that the divide has not been narrowed. The Green Brigade condemned the Celtic FC statement as condescending and disrespectful while the Celtic Supporters’ Association escalated matters by passing a motion of no confidence in the board. The Association of Irish Celtic Supporters’ Clubs added to the sense of disillusionment by accusing the hierarchy of hiding behind corporate jargon and empty language. Far from appeasing the fans, the response appeared to have hardened their position and convinced many that their voices were not being heard.

The board had sought to project calm and stability. Their message emphasised the importance of a self-sustaining financial model, pointed to UEFA’s strict rules around spending and argued that confidentiality in transfer dealings was vital in order to protect negotiations. It insisted that patience and prudence were central to ensuring Celtic’s long-term health. Yet the words rang hollow for many. Pundits were quick to note that what was missing was a simple acknowledgement of supporters’ frustrations. BBC analyst Michael Stewart described the communication as a public relations disaster. The national press was equally unforgiving, mocking the defensive tone and warning that rather than easing tensions the board had widened the gulf.

Against this fraught backdrop Adam Idah offered his own perspective on life at Celtic following his move to Swansea City. Speaking with unusual candour, the striker described his time at Parkhead as like living in a pressure cooker with moments of euphoria matched by periods of strain. He explained that the highs were unforgettable, particularly the chance to contribute to title-winning success, but the lows were punishing, leaving him exposed to heavy criticism whenever form dipped.

Idah was careful not to speak ill of the club, stressing that he had nothing negative to say about Celtic and insisting that it had been an amazing experience. Over the course of his spell he managed 20 goals and collected silverware yet he admitted that at times it felt as though his contributions were overlooked. He revealed that he had wanted to stay and fight for a place in the squad but in the end the project offered to him by Swansea along with the opportunity to work under coaches he trusted proved decisive. His words painted a vivid picture of just how demanding the environment can be, even for a player who largely delivered on the pitch.

The focus now shifts to the football itself with Celtic travelling to Rugby Park on Sunday to take on Kilmarnock. It is a fixture that offers both risk and opportunity as a strong performance would help redirect attention to matters on the pitch while any slip would only intensify the gathering sense of unrest.

Celtic will take confidence from the most recent meeting between the sides in April when they ran out emphatic 5–1 winners. Reo Hatate struck twice, Cameron Carter Vickers unleashed a powerful drive from distance, Daizen Maeda continued his hot streak and Tony Ralston added a late fifth. That display served as a reminder of what this team can produce when focused and ruthless –  something the supporters will be hoping to see again.

Brendan Rodgers, however, faces a number of selection dilemmas. Ralston is struggling with an ankle injury and Alistair Johnston remains sidelined, leaving the right back position uncertain. That could mean a major opportunity for 18-year-old Colby Donovan who has already been fast-tracked into the first team picture and has earned praise for his composure. Throwing him into such a high pressure environment would be a bold move but Rodgers has shown faith in youth before.

In attack, excitement around the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer is strictly limited. The Nigerian forward has spoken confidently about winning trophies in Glasgow and has the benefit of an established relationship with Rodgers from their time together in England. Nevertheless, amidst the bruising memories of that shambolic transfer window is a vague hope that this bargain basement acquisition might reignite the excitement that surrounded him as EPL youngster. He’s 28 and at his physical and mental peak. But can he overcome the dip in form that saw him move from club to club and finally end up a free agent? It could be fun finding out – and certainly a much-needed distraction from recent doom and gloom,

Celtic’s recent record against Kilmarnock is impressive, with four consecutive victories and three clean sheets in the last four games. Maeda in particular has been a constant threat and he’ll need to be back to somewhere approaching his best at a tricky away ground where Killie have frustrated stronger Celtic sides in the past.

The broader question surrounding the fixture is what impact the off-the-pitch turbulence will have. If Celtic start strongly and deliver a commanding win it may ease the tension and re-engage fans and team in the collective pursuit of success. Should the performance falter, however, the noise around the boardroom and the frustrations of the fans will only grow louder.

What this week has underlined is that trophies and home success cannot mask deeper divisions. The bond between supporters and decision-makers has been badly strained and communication has broken down.

Saturday’s trip to Rugby Park will not resolve those issues but it does provide a very welcome chance to refocus on football. Victory will not erase the grievances of the fanbase but it will remind all concerned that unity in pursuit of success on the pitch remains the foundation on which everything else at Celtic must rest.  More than ever, the club needs that sense of unity to return.