Celtic's Johnston & Scales miss out on international match-uppublished at 08:55 BST
08:55 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Alistair Johnston (second from left) and Liam Scales (far right) played a half each in Montreal
Celtic defenders Alistair Johnston and Liam Scales missed out on a direct international match-up after each played a half in Canada's 1-1 friendly draw with Republic of Ireland.
Johnston, 27, started for Canada at Montreal's Stade Saputo - winning his 58th cap - and was replaced at half-time by Niko Sigur.
Scales, 27, replaced Corrie Ndaba at the break for Republic of Ireland for a 15th international appearance.
Jake O'Brien's own goal gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half and Chiedozie Ogbene levelled on the hour mark.
World Cup co-hosts Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B.
Daniel: Feel like a treble now Martin's signed up for next year.
Patrick: Fantastic news! Clearly a great manager who knows the club and players. That will be a valuable head start in pre-season which is much needed. A double this year, let's see what next year brings with MON at the wheel!
John: The best news this season. Best man for the job. Let's have less of all the nonsense that's went on this season and get behind the team.
Cameron: A fantastic announcement for Celtic supporters and one that brings a welcome sense of stability at a time when the club has found itself navigating considerable uncertainty. What a manager, and an uplifting moment for the Celtic support.
James: Really pleased he has decided to take on the job for at least another year. I wouldn't have minded Robbie Keane and thought he would have been a good appointment in terms of football, however his appointment will have sown division in the support which last season proved cannot happen again. Let's hope he can get the board moving their hands to their pockets and give him the backing in continuing to unite the supporters.
TJ: Delighted. Deserves a chance at a full season and European football that he delivered.
John: Brilliant. Best decision the board has made in a long time. Now they need to get on with transfer business as soon as possible to be ready for the Champions League qualifier. We don't want a repeat of last year's debacle.
Celtic pair set for international match-up - gossippublished at 08:27 BST 5 June
08:27 BST 5 June
Celtic defenders Alistair Johnston and Liam Scales may be up against each other when Canada face Republic of Ireland in Saturday morning's friendly. (Sun), external
Meanwhile, Celtic and Rangers appear to have missed out on BK Hacken midfielder Silas Andersen, who has opted to join Portugal's Sporting. (Herald - subscription required), external
Which Premiership players are World Cup bound?published at 12:43 BST 4 June
12:43 BST 4 June
Image source, SNS
The World Cup kicks off in a week's time and all 48 squads are locked in.
Seven Scottish top-flight clubs have players at the big show in the Americas.
Of the 1,248 players at the tournament, 21 (1.68%) plied their trade in the Premiership in season 2025-26.
Celtic have the biggest representation with eight players, while Rangers are next on seven (including Derek Cornelius, who spent the season on loan from Marseille).
Here is the full list:
Celtic – Alistair Johnston (Canada), Daizen Maeda (Japan), Benjamin Nygren (Sweden), Yang Hyun-jun (South Korea), Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston (both Scotland), Sebastian Tounekti (Tunisia), Auston Trusty (USA).
Rangers – Nicolas Raskin (Belgium), Thelo Aasgaard (Norway), Findlay Curtis, Lawrence Shankland, John Souttar, Liam Kelly (all Scotland), Derek Cornelius (Canada).
Hearts– Cammy Devlin (Australia), Craig Gordon (Scotland).
Celtic hold constructive Keane talks - Scottish gossippublished at 08:33 BST 4 June
08:33 BST 4 June
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Image caption,
Robbie Keane is being heavily linked with Celtic
Celtic have held constructive talks with Robbie Keane, 45, over their managerial vacancy, with further discussions scheduled to take place this week, and principal shareholder Dermot Desmond will speak with interim boss Martin O'Neill, 74, to establish his appetite for remaining at the club in some capacity. (Sky Sports), external
West Ham United are monitoring Celtic centre-forward Callum Osmand but the Scottish champions are unlikely to part with the 20-year-old. (TransferFeed), external
Palma completes permanent switch to Lech Poznan from Celticpublished at 14:22 BST 3 June
14:22 BST 3 June
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Luis Palma has completed a permanent transfer to Lech Poznan from Celtic after a successful season on loan with the Polish champions.
Lech Poznan say they have activated the agreed buyout clause - reportedly about £3.5m - with the 26-year-old Honduras winger signing a three-year contract.
Palma scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions for the Ekstraklasa winners.
He moved to Celtic from Greek club Aris Saloniki in 2023 and returned to the country on loan to Olympiacos in the second half of 2024-25.
Palma scored 10 goals in 36 games in his debut season with Celtic, but the form of Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda limited his game time in the following campaign and he was allowed to move on following the return of Jota.
"I wouldn't entirely rule him out yet, even though he appeared to do it himself on Monday," said Stephen McGowan, football writer for The Herald, on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.
"He said in the press conference before they played against Ghana that he was committed to his job. I think that falls into the category of what else could he say? He was at a Wales press conference talking to a lot of Welsh journalists, but I think Celtic want to speak to him.
"I think he would be interested in having a conversation. Whether that goes anywhere, I don't know."
Celtic have had five months to find a permanent manager, yet the options they have come up with are "slightly underwhelming", says McGowan.
"I think they are talking this week to O'Neill again. He's had provisional talks with Dermot Desmond and he will speak to him again," McGowan added.
"I think they discussed various options before and now they're still not particularly close to an agreement. So that has to be resolved. They have to see what Martin wants to do, what they want to do.
"It has to suit both parties. If you're O'Neill, you're 74, you're not sure if you want to commit long term, well, you're in quite a strong position. You will only commit if it suits you.
"They're also speaking to Keane, who is a polarising figure. There is this Israel issue where he worked with Maccabi Tel Aviv, which seems to perplex a lot of Celtic supporters.
"There's also the fact he was the coach of Ferencvaros, who are a powerhouse in Hungarian football and he managed to lose the title in what's regarded as a fairly one-horse league.
"I think a lot of fans are really underwhelmed by the idea of Keane.
"I think if you are Celtic, you're probably looking at O'Neill and seeing him as the safe pair of hands just now. Let's see if they can get a deal done with him first, I think."
Celtic chase Danish midfielder - gossippublished at 07:55 BST 3 June
07:55 BST 3 June
Image source, Sportsfile via Getty
Celtic and Stephen Welsh have mutually agreed to part ways this summer with the centre-back allowed to terminate his contract a year early (Sky Sports), external.
Oskar Wojcik has told Celtic and other potential suitors that he won't be leaving KS Cracovia unless he is guaranteed regular football (Daily Record), external.
Andersen could be on the move this summer, after Hacken sporting director Erik Friberg admitted the midfielder's future is far from certain (Glasgow Times), external.
O'Neill over Keane a 'no-brainer' for Celtic?published at 11:35 BST 2 June
11:35 BST 2 June
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Amid speculation it is now a straight fight between Robbie Keane and Martin O'Neill for the Celtic manager's job, we asked who you would like to see appointed.
Here's what some of you said:
Henry: Stick with Martin O'Neill, if he feels he can continue. Then after the turn of the year bring someone in to work alongside him until the end of next season, by that time the new manager will be up to speed.
Edward: Celtic need to embrace O'Neill for one more season. Keane has undoubted 'Celtic minded' pedigree, however, a vociferous minority will not accept him. Fanciful as it sounds, in 12 months' time, would Arne slot be a possibility?
John: If O'Neill is up for it I think it is a no-brainer. Get it done early and let him sort out the players he wants and who will go. Shaun Maloney in place to continue when MON retires, most likely next season. I don't want the usual board waiting until the new season is almost starting before bringing someone in late!
Michael: Only if Martin declines the manager's job should someone else be brought in. If, for example, Martin takes a head of football role then I would even keep the current backroom staff. They have just completed a minor miracle, so why change?
Patrick: I'd rather see an experienced man come into the dugout than Keane, no matter how good he is. My preference is O'Neill or someone of the same calibre.
Dougie: To be honest I don't expect anything to change this summer. We'll be endlessly linked with various names and nothing will happen. I'd like to see Roberto Martinez but he wouldn't have time to oversee a rebuild even if the board showed the ambition to get him. O'Neill is the best option to oversee the rebuild and hopefully carry on until at least the winter break.
Eamon: I along with numerous Celtic fans don't want Keane anywhere near Celtic. The fact he managed in Israel is enough to show me he is not the manager for our club. Keane would only bring division.
Stephen: I love O'Neill and would be delighted for him to stay but, if he does, we MUST get the right coaching and recruitment team around him otherwise he doesn't stand a chance. There also needs to be a proactive and robust succession plan, otherwise we're sleepwalking towards the next crisis when he decides, most likely sooner than later, to call it a day.
Kev: Jens Berthel Askou would have been a good choice, not sure about Keane though. Time is of the essence, a new man will need time with the players to instil his playing style etc. There's a lot of players that need moving on, the board need to keep O'Neill or Maloney in some capacity to help oversee the transition.
James: If O'Neill stays for another year I don't think anyone involved with the club will complain. That said, it would only ever be a short-term appointment and we will find ourselves once again in this position in a year's time. I would love O'Neill to take a job upstairs and be part of the running of the club. I wouldn't mind seeing Keane in the dugout, he'll be disappointed with last season's outcome but has done well wherever he has been.
'O'Neill and Keane in battle for Celtic job' - gossippublished at 08:16 BST 2 June
08:16 BST 2 June
Title-winning interim manager Martin O'Neill and Robbie Keane, who recently quit as Ferencvaros head coach, are in a straight fight for the Celtic job, with major shareholder Dermot Desmond holding talks with the latter on Monday. (Scottish Sun), external
Celtic's board members were set to meet with Robbie Keane on Monday evening as the former Republic of Ireland striker is earmarked as the frontrunner to be their new permanent manager. (Alan Nixon on Patreon), external
Robbie Keane would want a backroom team of Stephen Glass, who was his assistant at Ferencvaros, former Celtic captain Scott Brown and current youth coach Jonny Hayes should he become the Scottish champions' manager. (Daily Record), external
Arne Engels has joined a new agency as he seeks a move away from Celtic and several Premier League and Serie A clubs, including AC Milan, are monitoring the 22-year-old midfielder. (Sacha Tavolieri on X), external
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's fiancee, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, is hoping Celtic take up the option to extend the 32-year-old midfielder's contract for another season. (Hanging Out With Ant & Dec Podcast), external
Celtic have again rejected an offer from Lech Poznan to sign Luis Palma following the winger's loan spell and the Polish champions have a week to pay the £3.5m option to buy as Sevilla monitor the 26-year-old's situation. (De La Rocha on X), external
Sevilla have entered the race to sign Celtic winger Luis Palma after the Scottish champions rejected Lech Poznan's attempt to negotiate their option-to-buy from £3.5m to around £2.6m. (Anthony Joseph on X), external
Colby Donovan remains under contract at Celtic until 2028, despite recent uncertainty over the 19-year-old right-back's deal. (Glasgow Times), external
Who do Celtic fans want as next manager?published at 18:00 BST 1 June
18:00 BST 1 June
With the domestic season now at a close, the Celtic fanbase awaits news on who will lead their team into the new campaign.
Despite eventually finishing the season with a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double, the support have been left unsatisfied with the club's board.
Those same fans are now concerned that a manager for next season still hasn't been appointed - but who do they want?
The former striker has previously been linked with Celtic, one of his former clubs.
Jens Berthel Askou is no longer an option following his departure from Motherwell to Toulouse, while reports suggest the Celtic hierarchy are set to talk to Robbie Keane.
It remains to be seen whether the club will offer Martin O'Neill the chance to lead the team into next season, or whether the 74-year-old would be happy to continue.
Let us know who you would like to see in the dugout and some answers will be published on this page later this week.
Celtic linked with Smajlovic and Devine - gossippublished at 08:11 BST 1 June
08:11 BST 1 June
Celtic, Feyenoord, Bodo-Glimt and Jens Berthel Askou's Toulouse are showing an interest in Sandefjord centre-back Zinedin Smajlovic, for whom the Norwegian club would want a record fee of at least £2.6m. (TV2 - in Norwegian), external
Celtic and Wolverhampton Wanderers are showing interest in Alfie Devine despite Preston North End triggering an option to enter signing talks with the Tottenham Hotspur 21-year-old pending a £6m transfer following the midfielder's loan spell. (Football London), external
Celtic may rekindle interest in Myhre - gossippublished at 09:01 BST 31 May
09:01 BST 31 May
Image source, Getty Images
Celtic could accelerate a move for Brann midfielder Felix Horn Myhre, 27, after he admitted that he expects to leave the Norwegian club this summer. (Football Insider), external
Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen are all interested in 24-year-old Milan Vitalis, who has six caps for Hungary. (GOAL - in Hungarian), external
Sevilla are monitoring negotiations between Celtic and Lech Poznan over Honduras winger Luis Palma, who enjoyed a successful season on loan in Poland. (Alvaro de la Rocha on X), external
Roberto Martinez has not been approached by Celtic regarding the manager's job, with his agent confirming there has been no direct contact between the Scottish champions and the Portugal head coach. (Celts Are Here), external
