The new boss has been told what to expect and not just by his next employersWilfried Nancy

It’s a time of year when any lingering family tensions can get ramped up a notch or two.

A few too many sherries and the truth juice gets spilled, with any hope of peace and goodwill to all going right out of the window.

It already looks way beyond that at Celtic right now, with not much chance anyone is going to play nice any time soon. But how is this Parkhead civil war going to be sorted? Goodness knows.

Kofi Annan would struggle to get the Hoops board and support seeing eye to eye right now.

Yet there has to be some kind of realisation this situation is not doing any of them any good – and it’s hardly the best backdrop to usher in a new manager.

Wilfried Nancy has already been briefed on what’s been going on in and around the club – and not just from the people who are about to employ him.

He’s not walking in blind – but he still might get a shock when he sees just how toxic the relationship has become.

Both sides don’t seem in any mood to budge an inch. They might have to though.

This dispute has escalated way out of control, and both sides have been guilty of taking things too far.

Celtic fans are right to be angry about the direction the club has been going despite ramping up costs.

The board can point to the domestic domination and the fact money has been spent. But it’s gone way beyond just the huffing stage.

The protests from the punters, fuelled by social media, have been cranked up to fever pitch. But the reaction from the club – especially the Desmonds – has only inflamed it.

Every action has had a counter action and it’s taken the falling out to ridiculous levels.

Too many people inside Parkhead are obsessed with the social media reaction, when in reality that is only a snap shot of opinion, and sometimes more extreme than others. And it’s got a lot of supporters stuck in the middle, like a wean wondering which parent they will be going to for Christmas dinner.

The vast majority just want to watch their team. Most will moan about players, managers, signings or whatever, but they won’t be out with the placards at the picket line.

The more Celtic meet fire with fire though, the more it tips folk in the middle ground towards the protesters.

The only way there is even going to be a step towards some kid of reconciliation is if both sides take a step back.

They both could do with chilling out, going to their rooms and having a long, hard think about their behaviour.

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell, chief executive officer Michael Nicholson and chief financial officer Christopher McKay dat Hampden

The section of shareholders who disrupted the AGM only damaged their own case as it denied the opportunity to ask searching questions. But that’s also where the board need to step up. It’s no use having millionaires and billionaires talking down to working class people.

This is Glasgow and that always goes down like a lead balloon. Celtic chiefs could make a start by fronting up. Over the city at Rangers, it’s been a bin fire but at last Andrew Cavanagh will face up to media to address fans.

Even before that, sporting director Kevin Thelwell didn’t hide away despite supporters hounding him out.

Rangers fans still are not happy but it’s at least turned down the temperature and allow the new manager to breathe.

Celtic need to do likewise. They can’t hide behind wild statements. Ross Desmond accused fans of ‘dehumanising’ the likes of his dad, Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson.

He might have had a point – but it’s because no one sees the human element. All they get is 1000 word web site releases and the odd scripted interview on club TV.

That’s not transparency or accountability. This week is the ideal time to face the music.

Unveil the new manager, hold the hands up and tell people the grand plan. Dig out the olive branch rather than the big stick.

The big, bad media might ask tough questions, but that comes with the gig. It shouldn’t be a bad thing to be able to give their side of the story without being heckled.

Not every fan will like what they hear but it might allow some of them to have more understanding. There was a hint of it from Lawwell and Nicholson in their AGM pre-recorded segments, only for Desmond junior to get the baseball bat out and nuke any chance of calm being restored.

Likewise, the more militant punters need to put the pitch forks down for a moment and listen.

If they don’t like what they hear then fair enough, they have every right to complain, boycott or whatever. But dialogue has to be a start – and it might even be a step towards some kind of Christmas reconciliation.

Because the alternative is a very unhappy New Year.