Celtic

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Celtic will be "very active" with their recruitment in the coming weeks, insists interim chairman Brian Wilson.

After Martin O'Neill was confirmed as permanent manager on a one-year deal on Thursday, Wilson was asked in a club interview if the 74-year-old would be given the resources to improve the squad.

"Absolutely, and that is very much part of the basis on which he's wanted to come back and we've wanted him to come back," he said.

"It's going to be a very active next few weeks, and we must come out of it with a stronger squad.

"It's worth mentioning maybe for all the criticisms last year, that eight of our players are at the World Cup. We had a lot of very, very good players, so we want to not only retain that strength but also to build on it."

Wilson said the board had admitted previous mistakes on their part and has called on supporters to ensure there is no repeat of the "division" that plagued Celtic for much of the past year.

"We are going to have a full stadium and it should also be a united stadium," he said.

"Time and time again, I have said and other colleagues have said that mistakes were made last season, that the board made mistakes, individuals made mistakes.

"All of that has been admitted, but everyone has to look at themselves and look at their role in the earlier parts of last season, and the lesson is that division doesn't work.

"Division is bad for the team, it's bad for the club, and ultimately, it's bad for success and what we all want to share in. Let's not have repetitions of that.

"Nobody's ever going to be united in praise of board or manager, probably, or anyone else. But let these divisions take place outside of the stadium and let's have a unity that undoubtedly helped the team over the line in the end last season."

Tino
Fan writer

Just over a year ago, Celtic launched their season ticket campaign for the 2025-26 season under the tagline 'Back For The Future'.

It was a clever nod to the return of familiar faces, with manager Brendan Rodgers joined by fan favourites Kieran Tierney and Jota, all embarking on second spells at the club.

As it turns out, however, the marketing team may have been about 12 months ahead of schedule.

Because the real Back To The Future story arrived this week, with confirmation Martin O'Neill will return for at least one more season at the helm - this time as permanent manager.

It's an extraordinary turn of events for the now 74-year-old.

Even in his wildest dreams he could scarcely have imagined that, having stepped in as interim manager on two occasions last season, he'd now be preparing to lead Celtic into a new campaign as the main man once again.

Yet if the past few months have shown us anything it's that O'Neill remains as driven and as determined as ever.

Just as he embraced the challenge when he answered Celtic's call last season, he'll throw himself wholeheartedly into this one too.

And, like most fans, I'm delighted to know we'll once again see him donning the tracksuit on the sidelines in the season ahead.

No one could describe this as a long-term appointment, but few could argue O'Neill hasn't earned the opportunity.

A league title and Scottish Cup in the most unlikely of circumstances would have strengthened any manager's case, and he'll undoubtedly relish the chance to build from day one rather than arriving mid-crisis.

Retaining the title will, of course, be priority number one.

But, beyond that, there's a genuine sense of intrigue about what a Martin O'Neill side might achieve on the European stage.

His first spell delivered some of the most memorable nights in Celtic's modern history and restored belief the club could compete with some of the continent's biggest names.

It's a challenge that will surely excite him as much as any domestic campaign.

The first hurdle is getting back to Champions League level - with a two-legged play-off to navigate in August.

For O'Neill, that would mark a first time back at the tournament proper since a goalless draw against AC Milan at Celtic Park in December 2004.

And if he can guide Celtic back to the big stage while recreating even a fraction of those unforgettable nights from the early 2000s, then perhaps we really will be heading back to the future.

It looks like it's time to fire up the DeLorean one last time!

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Celtic want coaches Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham to take substantial wage cuts to remain part of Martin O'Neill's backroom staff for next season. (Sun), external

Scotland's former Celtic defender Jack Hendry, 31, is expected to renew his contract at Al-Ettifaq after extra funds became available to the Saudi club. (Ben Jacobs on X), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Celtic captain Paul Lambert believes Martin O'Neill "is the best person" to meet the club's expectations next season.

However, Lambert says his former manager knows if he does not win regularly "all that goodwill will go out the window pretty quickly."

Lambert starred for Celtic during during O'Neill's trophy-laden five-year spell in charge from 2000 and says his former boss' man-management of players is what makes him the best candidate right now.

"That is his biggest strength, and he knows how to win and he knows Celtic must be a winning club, it can't be development and waiting for one or two months to get results - it is never going to work," he told BBC Scotland.

O'Neill faces a busy summer as he looks to rebuild a squad which performed below expectations, and Lambert thinks the club's board will back the manager's decisions in the transfer market.

"Knowing him the way I do, I don't think anybody will come through the door that he doesn't want," the former midfielder added.

"I think he is strong enough. He knows he can stand up to any members of the board, they are so thankful for him coming in and doing it."

We asked what Martin O'Neill's priorities should be at Celtic after the 74-year-old was confirmed as permanent manager.

Here are some of your comments:

Patrick: We all know we need a goalscoring striker, we've never come close to replacing Kyogo. A couple would be better and they need to be match ready. Add in a strong central midfielder, a winger or two and maybe a centre-back. Let Viljami Sinisalo take the number one spot and get a deputy in to train up.

Gordy: Brilliant news on Martin. The top priority now is to buy players who can enhance the team from back to front, not only domestically but also in Europe, we need to retain Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda if possible and add quality young talent.

Hugh: I just hope O'Neill gets the full backing of our dithering board … and his loyalty will not be exploited to the detriment of his legacy. He is taking a big chance and is dealing with a board that like to play hardball while delivering failure after failure on the recruitment front.

William: The board say they will continue to back Martin (fully) again. What does that mean? More loanees who can't get a game for their own clubs?

Sinclair: Doesn't matter what his priorities are, our board will fail to deliver any of what he has been promised as they are incapable of operating in today's football world. We move so slowly on getting anything done that Martin and the fans will be disappointed again come the end of August.

David: Reports are going around that the offer to Shaun Maloney and Fotheringham is a pay cut. What on earth does the board think they are doing? If he doesn't get his coaching team, O'Neil should resign.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Martin O'Neill returned for his second interim spell after Wilfried Nancy's sacking, he spoke frequently of the need to supplement the Celtic squad in the January window.

And yet none of the players signed on loan in January featured after the split. Some were injured, others evidently not rated or trusted by O'Neill.

That trend simply cannot continue this summer and Paul Lambert believes O'Neill will play a big part in reshaping the squad.

"Hopefully he gets the players he wants to carry the club forward," the former Celtic captain told BBC Scotland.

"It's a big summer for Celtic. I think what happened last year has given them a fright. What he did was galvanise things and I'm pretty sure he will have the last say on which players come in."

Again, forward areas will likely be the priority, especially if Daizen Maeda leaves.

Celtic still have not effectively replaced Kyogo Furuhashi, while Jota's quality in wide areas is unable to be harnessed because of long-term injury.

Celtic's attacking output has clearly regressed. In the 2024-25 title-winning campaign under Brendan Rodgers, they scored 112 league goals. Last term, they managed just 73.

Still, O'Neill can look back to the summer of 2000 - his first at Celtic - for inspiration.

Chris Sutton, Joos Valgaeren and Alan Thompson - three hugely successful figures for the club - were all signed under the Northern Irishman's watch, before Neil Lennon followed in the January of 2001.

A similar summer window would go a long way to reshaping Celtic's squad and easing any simmering unrest among the club's fanbase.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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At the end of the season, Martin O'Neill cast doubt on his ability to go back to the coalface one more time, but his words were never convincing.

For all his talk of how draining the job is - and that much is beyond dispute - he clearly basks in it.

Arguably, the most difficult part of the role was not the on-field stuff at all - he knows more than anybody how to organise and motivate Celtic players and how to engage with Celtic supporters.

Dealing with the disconnect between sections of the fans and a deeply unpopular board was, obviously, a strain on him until the run-in, when the whole place finally managed to start pointing in the same direction.

The issues that caused the rancour in the first place have not gone away. This is an uneasy truce and it could be broken at any time. O'Neill will know that.

He managed his way through all of that, even when his team were putting in dreary performances.

They did not lack for spirit, though. They had tons of it and the steel O'Neill instilled was the thing that got them over the line in the Premiership and the Scottish Cup.

Appointing O'Neill can only be one part of a bigger jigsaw. Creating a properly functioning and trusted recruitment department is every bit as important. Probably more important, in fact.

READ MORE: O'Neill safest of safe bets as Celtic opt against another gamble

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Martin O'Neill says he will not "rest on past success" as he calls on Celtic to "drive forward together" after being confirmed as manager on a permanent basis.

The Northern Irishman has penned a one-year deal, with the option of a further season, after guiding the team to a league and cup double last term.

He says it is "a great privilege" to continue in his role and adds that a triumphant end to last campaign has made him hungry for more at the age of 74.

The legendary Celtic manager continued: "Last season will live long in all our memories and to be part of that success has in a big way whetted the appetite to work again for more days like those and bring our supporters those moments.

"Of course, none of this could have been achieved without the players and staff and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for bringing that level of focus, determination and talent to bear at the conclusion of the season to deliver the league and cup double.

"I would particularly like to thank the board for asking me back and giving me this opportunity again.

"We know of course that Celtic can never rest on past success so we are now aiming to drive forward together in the coming season as we aim to deliver again for the club and our fans.

"I thank our fans for their ongoing support, it means everything to us. I look forward to being back at Celtic Park next season when we will come together and we will strive again to bring our fans the success which that support deserves."

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Celtic's hierarchy have shared their delight following the news that Martin O'Neill has been confirmed as first-team manager on a permanent basis.

The 74-year-old guided the side to a Scottish Premiership title triumph and a Scottish Cup success in two interim spells last term.

Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham assisted O'Neill last campaign, but there is no mention of either coach in the Parkhead club's statement amid reports agreements are yet to be reached.

Celtic's principal shareholder Dermot Desmond: "Time and time again Martin has shown his qualities and what he can bring to Celtic.

"We know he is a winner, we know what the club means to him and he continues to be the outstanding candidate to give us the best opportunity to realise our objectives.

"He knows the demands at Celtic and I know how determined he is again to bring success to the club and to our supporters.

"The club will support Martin fully again across the close season to make sure we are well prepared to achieve domestic success and compete on the European stage."

Celtic interim chairman Brian Wilson: "I warmly welcome Martin's re-appointment and look forward to more of the same leadership, inspiration and success he has delivered for the club.

"The achievements which he and the team secured in the season just gone have created a great platform for the one that lies ahead.

"This is the start of a busy summer and we will ensure that we are in the best possible position to compete, with Martin back at the helm."

Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson: "We are really pleased to keep Martin as manager. His knowledge and experience proved vital to us last season and we know his leadership will be hugely important to us going forward.

"He is someone who continues to deliver, who knows how to win and a manager we have absolute confidence in to once again drive the team through the next period.

"We have important challenges ahead and the immediate priority of everyone at the club is to ensure we are ready to tackle these with confidence and deliver success again for our supporters."

Martin O'Neill has been confirmed as Celtic manager on a permanent basis after leading the team to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double

The 74-year-old has agreed to stay at Parkhead on a one-year contract with the option for a further year.

Now the news is confirmed, what should his priorities be this summer?

Send us your thoughts to have your say.

Celtic have opened talks with the agent of Elias Filet and are seen as favourites to win a keenly contested race to sign the striker from Swiss second-tier club FC Aarau. (TeamTalk)

Celtic have yet to reach an agreement with key members of Martin O'Neill's backroom team despite the interim boss agreeing to become the permanent manager on a one-year deal. (The Herald)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

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Stephen Welsh says Swansea City "really wanted me" after he agreed to join the Championship club from Celtic following a second loan spell at Motherwell.

The 26-year-old defender will arrive in Wales on a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months on 1 July after agreeing to terminate his contract at Celtic Park.

Welsh made 31 appearances in total last term, with two of those for Celtic in between his loan spells at Well. He netted once and overall has six goals in more than 100 senior club appearances and has been capped up to under-21 level by Scotland.

"I am delighted to be joining Swansea, it's a big club with a proud history," Welsh said.

"They made it clear that they really wanted me and with the way the head coach (Vítor Matos) spoke about the club, the environment he wants to create and the way he wants to play, it was a no-brainer."

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Celtic have made contact with Brondby over the availability of 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic. (Spilxperten), external

Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland are stepping up their interest in Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 22. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Jackie McNamara believes former club Celtic should expect transfer interest in Canada right-back Alistair Johnston, 27. (Record), external

And McNamara praises manager Martin O'Neill for guiding Celtic to a domestic double last season amid a series of injuries. (National - subscription required), external

O'Neill has been spotted at Glasgow Airport, with the 74-year-old expected to continue as Celtic manager next season. (Sun), external

Swansea City are closing in on the signing of Celtic centre-back Stephen Welsh, who is out of contract after his loan spell with Motherwell, and the 26-year-old has agreed a two-year deal, with the Championship club having the option to extend by a further year. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Former Celtic chairman Kevin Kelly has died at age 88.

Kelly chaired the board from 1991-94 and left following the Fergus McCann-led takeover of the club.

Prior to his spell as chairman, Kelly, grandson of former Celtic captain James, had been a director since 1971.

"Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Kevin's family at this very difficult time," Celtic said.

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Scottish champions Celtic will host AC Milan in a pre-season friendly on 25 July.

The match at Celtic Park will kick off at 15:00 BST, with the sides sharing a pitch together for the first time since their 2020 Europa League meetings.

It will be one of Celtic's warm-up matches for the 2026-27 domestic season, with their Premiership opener expected on the weekend of 1 and 2 August.

Celtic are set to continue with Martin O'Neill as manager after he guided the side to a league and Scottish Cup double last season.

During his first spell as Celtic boss, Celtic faced Milan in the Champions League - a home win for the Italians and a draw in Glasgow in 2004.

Former Celtic forward Alan McInally believes Martin O'Neill will have been told he has funds to spend in the transfer market, with O'Neill expected to continue as the club's manager next season. (Record - subscription required), external

Nottingham Forest face competition from two other clubs for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 22. (National - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Former Ferenvaros head coach Robbie Keane was fully aware that Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill had first refusal on the job permanently during his discussions with major shareholder Dermot Desmond and there remains a strong chance he could become the club's team boss in the future. (Irish Independent), external

Celtic will have to pay £4.4m to land Go Ahead Eagles midfielder Jakob Breum after reviving their interest in the 22-year-old who was of interest in January. (VI via Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.