A show with excellent bottom lines and some strong one-liners

There was also, of course, the annual "where is Dermot Desmond debate" (in a panto sense, he is behind you, or rather the club) and a pointed question over why Charlie Mulgrew was not in the box at set pieces rather than taking them.

It made for almost three hours of sound and some fury but the over-riding feeling was of a board that was in control; conciliatory towards critics but without loosening its grip. The headlines, of course, will resound with Peter Lawwell's remark in response to a question asking how Rangers can continue to be called Rangers after liquidation. "Rory Bremner can pretend to be Tony Blair," was his lugubrious reply.

Ian Bankier, the club chairman, was also in mischievous mood over matters at Ibrox. Questioned about long-term security of Celtic, particularly if all assets were owned by club, he replied: "Yes, I can confirm that. I'm not going to show you the title deeds, though.'

The serious business, though, was dealt with briskly. The first nine resolutions concerned the approval of financial figures and the re-election of directors and auditors. All were voted in by percentages in the 99% range that would have embarrassed a North Korean president. One, Eric Riley, received the backing of a certain Fergus McCann who may not have the title deeds to Celtic Park but is largely responsible for the building of it.

Two of three resolutions that were in opposition to the board were booted out and the other sent into the long grass. This last move was the celebrated attempt to push the club into approaching UEFA over the SFA awarding Rangers a licence. Agreement has been reached between the dissenters and the club. It has been adjourned indefinitely.

The other two contentious resolutions concerned the annual attempt to obtain more power for the fans and a move to require Celtic to pay staff the living wage of £7.45 an hour. The latter was passionately proposed by Jeanette Findlay of the Celtic Trust and had the capacity to embarrass the board but its voting bloc ensured no concession.

"The rich men sitting up there decided they will not put in a commitment to pay this wage," Findlay said. "How disgusting. The people who brought them their tea when they were making the decision are probably affected by that. It is the grubbiest, most divisive decision taken by a Celtic board." Bankier reported that 178 people were paid below the Living Wage. The cost of raising them to that threshold would be £500,000, with a knock-on effect of more cost as other wages were raised.

The move to set up a working party to improve and formalise communication between supporters and the board was also consigned to the fate reserved for these initiatives with the board's proxy vote decisive.

There were entertaining contributions from George Burchick, the punter who puts the F into SPFL, and a gentleman who seemed keen to have Neil Lennon watch games from the stand, something previously the preserve of SFA disciplinary committees.

But there was also substance to the meeting. It can best be described as a stability and a sense of purpose. It was perhaps best summed up by a Bankier statement that twice referenced an "unstoppable" Celtic.

He said: 'The board's aim is to continue doing what we're doing. We have a definite plan and financial model: it's about living within our means but doing the best we can in terms of spending on firepower.

"We have to qualify again for the Champions League. If we can do that, it will be the third year in succession. That has a tremendous impact on the financial power of Celtic Football Club.

'I would love to see this club become one of the main players on the world stage, in the modern game and in world football. There is a tremendous romance attached to the club. We put smiles on people's faces all over the world, we have a tremendous attitude to life, humour and social responsibility. Together with football success, that makes us unstoppable.

'The momentum we've built up in the last three to five years is formidable. With luck on our side and success on the field, we will be nothing short of unstoppable."

This statement of ambition, even superiority was made, remember, by a personality who is as belligerent as the Dalai Lama on Valium.

Lawwell was keen to move the agenda from lingering on any disharmony. The chief executive said: "I'm sure every club in Britain would be happy and content with that agm. If those three resolutions are all we have to bother ourselves with - and I'm not saying they're not important - I'm sure there are many clubs in Britain at the moment who'd be satisfied with that. The club here, frankly - without sounding too conceited or boastful - arguably has never been in better shape."

This was but a prelude to his message that Celtic are still determined to move from what is described as the present business model but is more accurately called the Scottish game.

"We have a duty to do that, not just for Celtic but for Scottish football," he added. "We all have a responsibility to look at the playing environment in Europe and make sure that, if there is change - and I think there will be change in the coming years - that Celtic and Scottish football are part of it."

Lawwell is encouraged by the subtle shifts taking place over domestic leagues, particularly in Ukraine and Russian, and a recognition by UEFA that formerly strong football nations such as the Netherlands, Portugal, Eastern Europe and Scotland are becoming peripheral to big-time football.

He even ventured that change could come within five years. If so, book your seat now for the agm of 2018.