Celtic

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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).

Hibs – Grant Hanley (Scotland).

Motherwell – Elijah Just (New Zealand).

Kilmarnock – Aaron Tshibola (DR Congo).

Livingston – Tete Yengi (Australia).

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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

Thursday's Scottish gossip

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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.

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Celtic fans remain on tenterhooks as the club's managerial search rumbles on.

Martin O'Neill, who has been in situ as interim boss since January, and Robbie Keane are vying for the vacancy.

And while Craig Bellamy has reiterated his commitment to Wales, can he be scratched from the running?

"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."

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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.

Celtic are set to host AC Milan in a pre-season friendly in Glasgow (MilanNews via Gazzetta dello Sport), external.

Celtic risk losing midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain if they delay their managerial appointment any longer (Football Insider), external.

Rangers and Celtic are set to battle it out for the signing of BK Hacken star Silas Andersen this summer (Football Insider), 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.

Read Wednesday's gossip in full.

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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.

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

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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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?

Craig Bellamy has reiterated his commitment to Wales after revealing he has rejected job offers from club sides.

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, 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

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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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

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Celtic are leading the race to sign Hungary midfielder Milan Vitalis from new NB1 champions Gyori ETO. (Csakfoci via Scottish Sun), 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

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Former Celtic forward Mark McGhee says joining his boyhood club was a "consolation" for having to leave Hamburg.

After European Cup Winners' Cup glory with Aberdeen, McGhee had an injury-hit year in Germany before returning to his homeland in 1985.

He spent four years at Parkhead, winning two league titles and two Scottish Cups.

"It was the consolation in me having to leave Hamburg that it was for Celtic," the 69-year-old told the BBC's Sacked in the Morning podcast.

"My boyhood club. I knew some of the players from the Scotland squad and having played against them all those times.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to come back to Celtic, even though I would have liked to have stayed at Hamburg.

"I was still recovering a bit from an injury I'd had at the end of the previous season, I had to have a little bit of surgery before I got going but I absolutely loved my time at Celtic."

McGhee worked under Davie Hay and Billy McNeill in Glasgow and has fond memories of the pair, as well as team-mates such as Paul McStay.

"I loved my time under both Davie Hay and Billy, who were two different characters but fantastic people to work for," he added.

"I had fantastic players around me, Paul McStay, Maurice Johnston, Frank McAvennie, Murdo MacLeod, these were great Scottish players and I had the privilege to play with these guys."

Celtic view this summer as their best opportunity to cash in on midfielder Reo Hatate, who has two years left of his contract, after the 28-year-old Japan midfielder fell down the pecking order in the final months of the season. (Football Insider), external

Celtic are keen to hold talks over taking Julian Araujo for another loan spell from Bournemouth but face competition from Liga MX clubs Monterrey and Cruz Azul for the 24-year-old right-back. (Heraldo via Daily Record), external

Former Celtic winger Liel Abada was pictured in an Italian restaurant in Glasgow with the 24-year-old Israel international poised to leave Major League Soccer club Charlotte. (Scottish Sun), external

Talks between Celtic's largest shareholder, Dermot Desmond, and interim manager Martin O'Neill over the club's managerial hotseat have been pushed back to next week. (The Herald), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Luke McCowan knows he must raise his game if he's to become more than a bit-part player at Celtic.

The midfielder, who joined from Dundee two years ago, made just 16 starts across 42 appearances in all competitions this season, contributing four goals and three assists, as Martin O'Neill's side won the double.

McCowan last month signed a new contract to stay at Celtic until summer 2028, but is not content to rest on his laurels.

"If I'm being harsh on myself, I know I've got more," he told Celtic TV.

"I've had big moments throughout the season, but if I want to be a starter at this club and play constantly then I need to contribute more.

"That's my aim for next year, to push myself and everybody in my position to the max and try to play as many games as I can."

McCowan attracted plenty of flak in February when he claimed "we know if we're at it, no team in that league touches us".

At the time Celtic were third in the league - two points behind Rangers and six adrift of Hearts - but a late-season surge took them to the title.

"The reason I said that is because I've got that much belief in this group," said McCowan.

"I know there's amazing teams in the league and amazing players in the league. I've just got more faith in my team, my squad, my team-mates and the staff than I do anybody else.

"I knew if we got ourselves going and firing in the right way that we would retain the title, and that's exactly what we did.

"The main thing this year is we had a huge core group that knows what it means to play for Celtic.

"The guys in the changing room have been through hard times before and they used those experiences to make sure it didn't happen again."

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Celtic fans, we asked for your views after goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel announced his retirement from football.

Here's what some of you said:

John: Good riddance. Cost us the Scottish Cup and other games too. Obviously self-centred and egotistic. Wish he retired a year ago.

Patrick: Still disappointed he didn't declare his injury sooner, his performances were clearly impacted. Shame for him to end his career like this and grateful for his service, best of luck to him for whatever is next. Celtic clearly need to recruit but Viljami Sinisalo should be the number one, he's earned the right after stepping up to fill in for Schmeichel.

Andy: Thought as soon as I heard about his injury it may unfortunately be the end. What a fantastic career though and last season he was exceptional at Celtic. The League Cup final penalty save [against Rangers in 2024] especially. He'll be very difficult to replace.

Sinclair: It's not the way Kasper would have wanted to retire but it's the correct decision for anyone who watched him trying to recover from that injury. There is a valid argument he put himself and playing at a World Cup before Celtic and that cost us. He was a major reason we qualified for the Champions League play-off round in 2025/26 and what he contributed shouldn't be forgotten. I wish him all the best.

James: A fantastic servant for the club. First season was impeccable, this season left a lot to be desired however I understand why Kasper tried to soldier on through injury, it's a World Cup year and confronting ageing isn't easy. It's sad for his career to end the way it has and I hope he recovers well so he can enjoy a well-earned retirement. Thank you Kasper.

Thomas: I think we should do our best to forget the final months of his Celtic career and focus on the positive moments. If we hadn't won the double, I might feel differently, but we did so let's just thank him for his service and move on.

Celtic have told Borussia Monchengladbach they do not intend to take up their option to buy Tomas Cvancara after the 25-year-old striker's loan spell with the Scottish champions. (Bild via The National), external

Celtic are working hard to sign 23-year-old Brondby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic, but the Danish club may delay a decision to see if his value increases after playing for Bosnia & Herzegovina at the World Cup. (SportSport via Glasgow Times), external

Celtic have added Robbie Keane to their shortlist of potential managers after his resignation from Ferencvaros, but the 45-year-old is not one of the leading contenders and the Scottish champions hope to persuade interim boss Martin O'Neill to stay on. (Football Insider), external

Read Thursday's Scottish football gossip

Tino
Fan writer

It was John F. Kennedy of all people who once said "the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."

And in terms of Celtic, right now the sun is most definitely shining - both literally and metaphorically - following Martin O'Neill's incredible double-winning success.

But while the celebrations are deserved, most would agree that those roof repairs at Celtic Park are now long overdue.

And this summer presents the club with the perfect opportunity to finally do it.

It's not optional anymore. It's absolutely essential.

Priority number one has to be the managerial situation because if ever a season highlighted the importance of the man in the dugout, it was this one.

O'Neill has confirmed that talks are planned with Dermot Desmond this week and, on that front, we should hopefully have some clarity in the days ahead.

Ironically, those discussions come during the very same week O'Neill was inducted into the League Managers Association's 1000 Club at their annual awards dinner – the icing on the cake in a perfect couple of weeks for a man who has once again proven his value to Celtic.

But whatever happens next with O'Neill, the reality is that the managerial situation is only part of a much wider issue.

Because beyond the success on the pitch, this should be one of the busiest and most important summers Celtic have faced in years.

The uneasy truce between the club and sections of the support continues despite the on-field success.

We're currently operating without a head of football operations following the departure of Paul Tisdale alongside Wilfried Nancy back in January.

We have an interim chairman in place in Brian Wilson, while long-serving board member Tom Allison announced his own retirement just last month.

And then there's the huge question of recruitment - arguably the club's biggest failing in recent seasons.

Where do you even begin?

Too often Celtic have looked reactive rather than proactive in the market. Too often key windows have passed without the squad being properly strengthened, leaving managers and supporters alike frustrated at opportunities missed.

This summer cannot be another one of those.

Because while this season ended in glory, standing still simply cannot be an option.

Even beyond any European ambitions, the renewed competition at domestic level alone has shown that.

However, the foundations are there. The team has delivered success and the fans have once again played their part. Now the club hierarchy must match that ambition and ensure that, while the sun is shining, the repairs finally get made.

Otherwise the dark clouds that marred much of last season may once again loom large.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external