CELTIC supporters yesterday welcomed news that a ''dream team'' including former club director Brian Dempsey and millionaire rock star Jim Kerr could bid for control of the club when chairman Fergus McCann steps down.
The Simple Minds frontman has told friends he wants to become more involved in his favourite club. He has already asked his next-door neighbour and close friend in Dublin, Bono of the band U2, to join him in backing a consortium led by Mr Dempsey.
The former Celtic director has refused to name the likely consortium members. However, it is understood former club director Willie Haughey and #10m lottery winner John McGuinness, who bought Mr Haughey's shares for #1.4m when he was ousted from the board, could be asked to join.
The consortium wants to gain control of the majority shareholding of chairman Fergus McCann who has pledged to leave and sell his 51% stake - worth about #36m at current valuation - next year.
The consortium is thought to be concerned that the club could fall into the hands of a major financial institution or other businessmen who have no links with the club.
Its fears were heightened last week when Celtic appointed heavyweight financial advisers in preparation for the club being floated on the main London stock market.
Nomura, the Japanese bank, is being lined up by the club to act as joint stockbrokers with Glasgow-based Greig Middleton on the planned sale of Mr McCann's shares to a mixture of fans and financial institutions.
Mr Dempsey claims he does not want to take over Celtic but only wants Mr McCann to keep a promise he made almost five years ago that his shares would be re-distributed among Celtic fans and shareholders when he leaves the club.
It is thought Mr Dempsey's deal would provide some #20m to help fans buy Mr McCann's shares, and that the consortium would buy any unsold shares.
However, the offer is pitched at #180 per share for shares which are now trading at #255. Mr Dempsey would have to rely on the price being acceptable to Mr McCann and Celtic, and then on Celtic shareholders backing him as chief executive.
Mr Peter Rafferty, chairman of the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters' Clubs, said yesterday: ''We are keen that a dream team of wealthy Celtic supporters, with the interests and stability of the club at heart, will come forward to take us into the new millennium
''I am sure most fans would be delighted if that team included life-long Celtic fans such as Brian Dempsey and Jim Kerr.''
Mr Dempsey said yesterday: ''It is true that Jim Kerr and I are following the Celtic situation very closely. Our main concern is that the club remains in the hands of true Celtic supporters.
''We are both aware of the contribution Fergus McCann has made. The new stand is testament to this, but we are concerned that he now spells out clearly when and how he intends to sell his 51% ownership of the club.''
Mr Kerr said: ''I can confirm that I have been in discussions with Brian Dempsey with regard to Celtic's future. It is well known that I love this club and the people who support it.
''I am delighted to support Brian Dempsey and others in our attempt to ensure that ownership of the club goes back to Celtic shareholders and supporters, as Mr McCann promised it would.''
Although Mr Kerr's band has enjoyed worldwide success during the past 15 years or so, one Scottish music industry insider yesterday suggested that reports of him being worth ''at least #40m'' were ''substantially overstated''.
The insider told The Herald: ''I would put Jim Kerr's fortune at nearer #5m than #40m.''
Mr Kerr has recently formed a management company with former Celtic hero Kenny Dalglish which will act as a football agent and a mentor for new bands.
No-one from Celtic was available for comment yesterday.
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