No Quick Fix: The Scale of Celtic’s Rebuild Laid Bare
Years of short-term fixes have caught up, forcing the club into its most significant rebuild in decades. Behind the trophies, structural issues have been quietly building and now they can’t be ignored
Success has a way of masking decay. For Celtic, domestic dominance has papered over cracks that are now too wide to ignore. The reality facing the club going into season 2026-27 is uncomfortable - this is not a team in need of minor adjustments, but an institution staring down the barrel of its most complex rebuild in its history - arguably.
With the issue of who the manager will be resolved - at least for the next year, possibly two - the club must now get down to work both on and off the pitch. First team ready players are needed, depth in the squad is needed, but so is the structure of the club to help secure continued success on and off the pitch both in the short term and long term.
The current squad of players may be league and cup double winners - but at the turn of the year, they had effectively thrown the league away. They looked disinterested, half-hearted, clueless as to what Wilfried Nancy wanted to implement, there was no fight and no hope of Celtic getting anything out of the season.
And yet football as they say is a funny old game, and Martin O’Neill rocks up to save the day, literally on the last day of the season to turn a bunch of disinterested, fed up, impotent players into a team of fighters with a desire to play right to the final whistle.
However, this squad is past its shelf life, there will be departures and there will hopefully be some quality signings this summer - we can all hope can’t we?
On the surface, there is still talent within the squad - players capable of winning games domestically and maintaining a level of domestic control. But scratch beneath that and the imbalance is obvious. Key figures who once defined the team are past their best, increasingly injury-prone, simply no longer able to impose themselves at the level required in Scottish football, let alone in Europe, and then there are those looking to move on this summer to further their careers. Around them sits a collection of signings that felt more like hail marys than strategic, players recruited without a clear, consistent player profile, leaving a squad that lacks cohesion as much as it lacks depth in critical areas.
The recurring issue has been the absence of succession planning. Celtic have too often waited until the decline is visible before acting, rather than anticipating it. The result is a cycle of reactive recruitment - plugging gaps rather than building a system. It creates bursts of success, but no lasting platform. That cycle has now caught up with the club in a cataclysmic way.
Responsibility does not sit solely with the players. The club’s previous management teams, while often effective in navigating the domestic landscape, has struggled to evolve the team’s identity. Tactical flexibility remains limited, in-game adaptability inconsistent, and European performances continue to expose the same structural weaknesses year after year. There is a sense that Celtic know exactly how they want to play, but are clueless as how to adjust when that approach fails. This is where the rebuild becomes more than a footballing issue. It becomes a structural one as well.
At executive level, Celtic have long prided themselves on stability. But stability, unchecked, becomes stagnation. The club’s recruitment model has lacked ambition -caught somewhere between development projects and short-term success. There is no modern footballing structure driving decision-making; no clearly defined sporting director model with full authority over long-term squad building. Instead, responsibility is fragmented, with strategy shaped by financial caution rather than footballing ambition.
That caution has its merits. Celtic are financially secure, sustainably run, and rarely reckless. But now that prudence has tipped into passivity. While European peers evolve by investing in data, modernising recruitment, and aligning coaching with long-term squad planning - Celtic remain still.
The consequence is what we see now, a squad needing significant investment, and a corporate structure that protects Dermot Desmond and his interests, a club lacking the ambition and football expertise required for the rigours of the modern game.
What makes this rebuild different is the scale of the job. This is not about replacing two or three players or strengthening the bench. It is about a complete overhaul of the squad, establishing a modern recruitment policy, and aligning every level of the club - from boardroom to dugout - around a coherent footballing vision.
There are no quick fixes here. No single transfer window will solve it. No individual signing will transform it. This requires joined-up thinking, patience, and perhaps most crucially a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about how the club has operated in recent years. Under Dominic McKay, we may have been able to address the long list of issues at the club - as he did similar during his time at the SRU - but there was no willingness from the likes of Dermot Desmond to shake things up, modernise, and that saw McKay booted out the door and Peter Lawwell’s poodle Michael Nicholson take over - a role that he was and still is clearly out of his depth in.
Celtic remain a dominant force in Scottish football. That status is not under threat unlike it’s league champions crown as we saw for much of the season. But if the ambition is to be more than that, to compete meaningfully in Europe, to build a side with longevity rather than cycles of boom and bust, then this summer’s rebuild must be embraced fully.
Because the danger is not in acknowledging the scale of the problem. The real danger is pretending it isn’t there.
With 45 days until Celtic kick off their Champions League play-off tie, we are once again running the risk of gambling with qualification by doing nothing to secure our inclusion in Europe’s club cup competition.
Any meaningful rebuild has to start with ruthless clarity around the playing squad. Celtic can no longer afford to carry passengers, delay difficult decisions, or rely on sentiment over strategy. This summer demands a clear split between those who can drive the next cycle of success and those who have reached their ceiling at the club -whether that means selling at value, allowing contracts to wind down, or making loan deals permanent where justified. From there, the focus must shift to targeted recruitment, with priority areas emerging across the spine of the team and in key positions where quality, depth, and athleticism have visibly fallen short.
Kasper Schmeichel
There is no denying that Schmeichel, at his peak, was a great shot stopper and goalkeeper. However, since the 2025 Scottish Cup Final defeat to Aberdeen, he was a major liability and cost us goals as well as games last season season. Now whether it can all be attributed to the Dane carrying an injury, his selfishness to remain between the posts even when he knew that he had a problem - all to try to save his spot in the Danish national side - it cost Celtic.
It might sound insensitive, but Schmeichel’s injury was a blessing in disguise for Celtic. While we still have major issues across the whole of the squad, the emergence of Viljami Sinisalo from the shadow of Schmeichel has given the fans a glimmer of light for the future - even if he isn’t the finished article.
Schmeichel’s contract expiring was a god send, while it means Celtic will need to look to bring in a new keeper, with Sinisalo currently number one - it is one position where we can actually take our time to recruit properly on with Ross Doohan as back-up and potentially promoting a youngster from the B team in the interim.
Viljami Sinisalo - Retain
The Finnish international was given the gloves for the remainder of the season, only because of the season ending injury to Schmeichel. If the Dane hadn’t picked up an injury then I suspect we would still be subjected to that liability and we would not have won the title. But the 24-year-old is one of the few players last season to come out of it smelling of roses, while the rest resemble the manure fertilising the ground around it.
He still has a mistake or two in him, yet he still has at least 5 or 6 years left before he hits his peak as a keeper. His performances and distribution has helped to steady the nerves of the defenders in front of him and while the fans are still seconds away from having heart attacks with Liam Scales’ decision making and passing abilities - the goalkeeping position is one area of the squad that we shouldn’t really worry about.
With Martin O’Neill confirmed as the new Celtic manager for next season and maybe the one following, Sinisalo deserves to remain number one and whoever comes in to take Schmeichel’s vacant position will have a fight to get the gloves off the Finn.
Ross Doohan - Retain
A surprise signing from Aberdeen over the summer after the departure of Scott Bain. Still puzzled as to why Doohan would go from playing regular first team football at Aberdeen to becoming third choice keeper at Celtic - just so that the club can tick the home-grown and academy trained criteria for UEFA.
Hasn’t played a single game for Celtic since his move to Glasgow. But he needs to be retained, not only to tick boxes for UEFA but with Schmeichel’s departure we need him as backup to Sinisalo and let him battle for that backup spot with any new arrival.
Alistair Johnston - Keep
The Canadian has been a stand out performer for Celtic since he signed from CF Montreal on New Year’s Day 2023, making his debut in the 2-2 draw at Ibrox against Rangers the next day. He hasn’t really looked back since, but sadly last season he missed most of it through injury - and in my opinion, due to Brendan Rodgers and the medical team at the club rushing him back before he was fully recovered.
With the World Cup now on us, Johnston returned to first team action right in the nick of time. While I hope that Celtic would do everything in their power to keep the full back at the club, to be part of the new rebuild, I suspect he may be looking to move on after the World Cup south of the border and the English Premier League - with no shortage of suitors if he performs well.
Julian Araujo - Sign
Signed for the club in the January transfer window, following Johnston’s injury lay-off. Araujo was another bright light last season, and despite his season ending through injury he won the fans over with his performances, his passion, and his ability to wind up Rangers players and their fans simply by breathing the same air as them. The full back will be in demand however and it may take a fee as sizeable as Engels or even a few million more to sign him permanently. Will we see his return to Celtic Park in reality? I doubt it very much.
Colby Donovan - Retain
Thrown into the deep end by Brendan Rodgers not through stand out performances but by the injury to Johnston and having no other back-up to back-up Anthony Ralston - Donovan was given a place with the first team and impressed with many of his performances in what has become his breakout season. Whoever it is in the right back starting position - be it Johnston, Araujo, or another player entirely - Donovan should be their understudy with a view to becoming their successor in a few years. I wouldn’t even bother farming him out on loan - he needs to play for Celtic this season - use him in the cup competitions.
Anthony Ralston - Sell
A product of the club’s academy, the 27-year-old has pretty much been a back-up to every full back at the club since he made his debut ten years ago!
While he has heart, passion, and puts in a shift, Ralston has been found wanting in many games over the past few seasons and is more of a hindrance than a help - despite scoring some important match winning goals over the years.
With his call-up to the Scotland squad for World Cup, it makes sense for Celtic to sell the defender now with one year remaining on his contract.
Cameron Carter-Vickers - Retain
Celtic shouldn’t find it too taxing to keep hold of Cameron Carter-Vickers ahead of next season due to his injury issues. But when fit, he remains the best centre-back at the club by a distance. His absence last season after tearing his Achilles was felt heavily, both in defensive stability and leadership, underlining just how important he is to the side. However, with a growing injury record over the years, Celtic cannot afford to stand still - they need to use whatever time they have with him to actively identify and develop his long-term successor, whether through recruitment or promoting from within, ensuring a smoother transition rather than a reactive scramble when the time inevitably comes.
Benjamin Arthur - End of Loan Deal
Celtic should acknowledge and thank Benjamin Arthur for his contribution during his loan spell, but the end of his loan spell is the right outcome for all parties. Since arriving in January, his game time was limited and, while he performed well when called upon, he never truly established himself in the squad and largely drifted out of the picture. With no prospect of a permanent move and Brentford likely still rating him highly, it feels like a clean break suits everyone, allowing Celtic to focus on more impactful options while Arthur looks to continue his progress elsewhere.
Liam Scales - Retained
Despite showing all the hallmarks of being a complete and utter bombscare at the back for Celtic, he has been one of the club’s most consistent performers this season - however, the level that he is consistent at simply isn’t good enough to be at the heart of the Celtic defence. His performances have slightly improved since Sinisalo’s promotion to Celtic’s number one, but he still has a mistake or ten in his locker and regularly threatens fans with a massive coronary when he is on the ball, when he goes in for a tackle, or when he thinks he is peak van Dijk on one of his mazy runs into the opponents half. In short, whenever he dons the green and white hoops.
Question marks surrounded his new four year deal and who sanctioned it at a time when we didn’t know who was going to be the new Celtic manager, at any rate they rubber stamped the contract extension for the Irish international but giving Scales a new four year deal with the option of an additional year is crazy to say the least. If or when the club gets a proper recruitment network in place, a replacement for Scales is a must!
Austin Trusty - Retain
Frozen out by Brendan Rodgers for one reason or another, Trusty has come in and performed well under Martin O’Neill - has a mistake in him just like Scales, but is a level above the Irishman and has shown commanding performances in Europe as well as domestically.
Stepping into the breach after Carter-Vickers’ injury, Trusty has shown us that he is more than capable of being a first team regular and must be kept at the club beyond the summer. A call up to the United States World Cup squad was the icing on the cake for the defender after helping to win a league and cup double.
Dane Murray - Retain
Another academy graduate thrown into the deep-end just like Colby Donovan last season by former manager Brendan Rodgers, due to injuries. He has made the odd mistake in the big games which has cost Celtic goals - but he has come good in other high profile games and deserves to remain around longer in my opinion and given a chance under Martin O’Neill in the coming season. Only 23 years old, next season is a huge one for Murray and while others may have already written him off, he needs a dominant force alongside him to not only learn from but also to steady him. He is still relatively young and despite only making 15 appearances this season, he has played in two derbies against Rangers in the space of a week, steadied the 10-man ship of Celtic at the end of January as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Hearts, and helped the side in three Europa League wins against Feyenoord, Utrecht, and Stuttgart. Losing only two of the games he has played in - back in October against Hearts [3-1] and Braga [2-0] as Brendan Rodgers worked his meal ticket out of the club.
Much has been said about the youngsters that have jumped ship before finding a path to the Celtic first team, now that Murray has found a route, he needs to be given the chance to deliver. If Ralston can be given TEN YEARS, then surely Dane Murray deserves a season or two?
Kieran Tierney - Retain
The prodigal son returned at the start of this season after his contract ended at Arsenal - seen as surplus to requirements at the North London club by Mikel Arteta. Despite the Arsenal fans taking to him like one of their own.
The real risk with Tierney was never about his ability or if he wasn’t good enough to play at the top - it was about his long list of injuries during his time at Arsenal and while he has had a number of injuries upon his return to Celtic Park - he has produced the goods even if he can’t see out 90 minutes regularly.
With Martin O’Neill now permanently in charge, and a World Cup with Scotland during the summer - I hope that Tierney can kick on next season before ultimately seeing out his professional career with the club in a few years down the line.
Marcelo Saracchi - Sign
Celtic should be looking seriously at making Marcelo Saracchi’s move permanent after a loan spell that, while not always headline-grabbing, consistently showed his value to the squad. The Uruguayan impressed whenever called upon, and his impact off the bench against Hearts on the final day - injecting drive, urgency and a clear hunger to win - helped swing the momentum as Celtic pushed on to secure the title. With Kieran Tierney the established first choice, Saracchi would be an ideal back-up option at a cut price fee, offering genuine competition and the kind of depth Celtic need across all positions. The key question is whether he is willing to accept that role long-term, but if he is, then this feels like a deal worth pursuing - even if getting it over the line may prove easier said than done with our board.
Callum McGregor - Retain
Callum McGregor’s future should be a priority for Celtic, because while his best years may be behind him as he turns 33, his importance to the club extends far beyond current form. A servant of over a decade with more than 500 appearances, he has carried the captaincy in his own way since Scott Brown’s departure, but this past season has exposed both his inconsistency and the wider weakness in Celtic’s midfield. That is exactly why talk of a potential move to Saudi Arabia to reunite with Brendan Rodgers, coupled with his pointed message to the board about showing ambition, should ring alarm bells - losing him now would strip the squad of leadership at a time when it is already lacking bite and authority.
The sensible path is to retain McGregor through to the end of his deal, gradually phasing him into a reduced on-pitch role while planning for succession, rather than allowing a key figure to walk away just as the team enters another period of transition.
Benjamin Nygren - Retain but resigned to selling
Benjamin Nygren’s contribution to Celtic’s league and cup double winning campaign cannot be overstated, with the Swedish midfielder delivering 21 goals in his debut season after arriving from Nordsjaelland - a return that often proved decisive even in games where he drifted in and out of play.
That has been the frustration and the fascination with Nygren, he can go largely unnoticed for long spells, only to produce a moment of real quality when it matters most.
While there is clearly more to come from him in terms of consistency and overall influence in games, his World Cup call-up with Sweden has inevitably sparked talk of a summer exit, and it would not be a huge surprise if Celtic chose to cash in as part of a wider rebuild. The concern, however, is obvious, replacing his goals will be crucial, especially given the club failed to properly do so after the departures of Kyogo and Nicolas Kühn in 2025.
Arne Engels - Retain but resigned to selling
Arne Engels remains one of the more divisive figures in this Celtic squad - a player who can flatter to deceive, drift through spells of games, and frustrate just as often as he excites, making him something of a marmite character among the support. Yet there is no doubt there is a player in there, and at his age, he still has time to develop into something far more consistent with the right guidance.
Interest from Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest - who saw a £25m bid rejected in January - underlines that potential, and Celtic will likely be braced for similar offers this summer. While he is no Tom Rogic at this stage, it’s worth remembering the Australian took time to grow into the player fans eventually adored, and Engels could yet follow a similar path under the right manager. However, with Premier League interest intensifying and a rebuild looming, this feels like one where Celtic may have to cash in and ensure his fee is reinvested wisely.
Reo Hatate - Sell
Reo Hatate’s time at Celtic has been defined by moments of real quality and influence since arriving under Ange Postecoglou four and a half years ago, with the Japanese midfielder at one point widely regarded as the best in his position in Scottish football just two seasons ago.
However, last season told a very different story, as he cut a forlorn figure at times - struggling for consistency, lacking match sharpness, drifting in and out of games, and eventually finding himself on the fringes of the starting XI, particularly in the latter stages under Martin O’Neill.
His reported transfer request this summer, with a potential return to Japan on the table, feels like a natural conclusion for both player and club, especially after missing out on Japan’s World Cup squad and needing regular football to reignite his international ambitions.
Hatate has been a key part of Celtic’s success in recent years and should leave with genuine appreciation for his contribution, but this now looks like the right moment for all parties to move on.
Luke McCowan - Retained
Luke McCowan is one of those players you quietly appreciate rather than rave about, he doesn’t set the heather alight or dominate headlines, but he comes in and does a job when asked. He’s not, and likely never will be, a regular starter in this Celtic side, instead filling that valuable utility role across the squad where reliability matters more than flair. Even with his new deal running until 2028, it’s hard to see him breaking into the first XI on a consistent basis, but that doesn’t diminish his importance. Every successful team needs depth, and McCowan provides exactly that - dependable, versatile, and ready to contribute whenever called upon.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - End of Contract
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s spell at Celtic had its moments, with the former England international bringing experience, composure and flashes of quality to the squad over the course of the season. However, despite that pedigree, he never quite delivered consistently enough to justify extending his stay beyond his deal to the end of last season, and it feels like the right time for both player and club to move on. There were glimpses of what he could offer, but not at the level or regularity Celtic require. He leaves with best wishes for whatever comes next in his career and congratulations also on his recent marriage as he begins a new chapter both on and off the pitch.
Paulo Bernardo - Sell
Paulo Bernardo’s trajectory at Celtic has stalled in a way that once looked unlikely, going from a player on the verge of establishing himself as a regular starter to one who now finds himself completely out of the picture.
There is no question he possesses real talent, but a lack of consistency and an apparent struggle to fully adapt to the demands of the Scottish game have held him back. At this stage, it feels like a move away would benefit all parties, giving Bernardo the chance to reset and fulfil his potential elsewhere, while allowing Celtic to free up wages and refocus on players better suited to their system and intensity.
Jota - Injured but retain
There is still a sense of hope that Jota can rediscover the form that made him such a fan favourite during his first spell at Celtic, even if his return has so far failed to ignite in the way many expected. In truth, he was probably burdened with too much expectation after limited game time in Saudi Arabia and France, arriving in the aftermath of Kyogo’s departure.
A long-term injury then compounded matters, ruling him out for most of last season and now set to keep him sidelined through pre-season and into the early months of the new campaign. The uncertainty over what version of Jota will return is real, but with a long-term contract in place until 2030, Celtic will be banking on time, patience and proper conditioning helping him recapture the spark that once made him one of the most exciting players in the team.
Daizen Maeda - Sell
Daizen Maeda’s impact at Celtic has been relentless since the day he arrived, but his form during the title run-in elevated him to another level as he virtually dragged the team over the line to win the title last season with his energy, pressing and crucial contributions. A move to Wolfsburg was close last summer before being blocked, but with Martin O’Neill now indicating the club will not stand in his way, it feels like the right moment for that next step - with him earning a place in Japan’s World Cup squad and with it being in the shop window.
Interest is inevitable once the tournament concludes, and while Celtic will wish him nothing but the best, his departure would leave a significant void. Players with his intensity, work rate and ability to unsettle defences are not easily replaced, and it’s no exaggeration to say Premiership backlines will be relieved to see him go.
Sebastian Tounekti - Retain
Sebastian Tounekti arrived at Celtic in the shadow of Nicolas Kühn’s departure and the failure to reach the Champions League, but his impact so far has been sporadic rather than significant. There have been flashes where he has shown he can change a game, yet he has struggled to nail down consistency, with the left-wing role largely dominated by Daizen Maeda unless the Japanese forward was deployed centrally.
The ability is clearly there, but this now feels like a defining season, Tounekti needs to find rhythm, contribute regularly in both goals and assists, and prove he can be relied upon week to week. His involvement with Tunisia at the World Cup may disrupt his pre-season, but Celtic are unlikely to cash in just yet; however, if he fails to deliver this campaign, it’s hard to see his long-term future at the club extending beyond next summer.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha - Sell
Celtic’s decision to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha for £5 million remains a baffling one, particularly given it came in the same window as Sebastian Tounekti’s arrival, with both effectively competing for the same role following Nicolas Kühn’s move to Como and the club’s failure to reach the Champions League proper.
Balikwisha has failed to justify that outlay in any way shape or form, and there is a sense that this could go down as one of the club’s worst signings since Derk Boerrigter - a player who reportedly needed persuading to join and has done little to suggest he belongs at the level required.
While he may be attempting to salvage his reputation during pre-season under Martin O’Neill, the reality is that he has already lost the backing of a large section of the support, which is notoriously difficult to recover from. Celtic would be better to cut their losses now and move him on if they could, even at a loss, but the bigger question may be how such a signing was sanctioned in the first place and is the person who sanctioned it still at the club? If so, then he should be shown the door at the same time as Balikwisha.
Hyun-jun Yang - Retain
Hyunjun Yang’s time at Celtic so far has been a mix of raw promise and inconsistency, but that could be said for much of the squad last season. What he has shown, though, are flashes of real quality - none more so than that Archie Gemmill-esque wonder goal against Rangers, a moment that underlined the talent he has at his disposal.
Still only 24 years young, Yang is very much a player who needs time, coaching and the right environment to develop, and under proper guidance he has the potential to grow into a standout performer, perhaps even following a similar path to Ki Sung-Yeung in terms of influence and consistency. With James Forrest currently the only other natural option on the right, it feels crucial that Celtic retain Yang, especially as he gains valuable experience on the international stage with South Korea at the World Cup.
James Forrest - Retained
James Forrest’s legacy at Celtic is already carved in stone, but what makes his story remarkable is that, even at 34, he continues to add new chapters. Since making his debut, Forrest has brought relentless drive, intelligence, and end product to the club, evolving from a precocious academy talent into one of Celtic’s most reliable match‑winners. His influence within the squad remains unmistakable - younger players look to him as a model professional, managers trust him implicitly, and opposition defences still fear the sharp movement, timing, and composure that have defined his game for over a decade.
As a one‑club man, he embodies the identity and continuity that supporters cherish, and with his recent one‑year extension, he remains arguably Celtic’s most natural fit on the right wing - a manager’s dream, a stabilising presence, and a devastating option from the bench.
Already the most decorated player in the club’s history, Forrest will retire at Parkhead as a modern‑day Celtic legend, the kind of figure supporters speak about with reverence. Replacing him will be no small task; whether the answer is Yang, an emerging talent, or an external signing, Celtic must prepare for life after Forrest sooner rather than later. It’s hard not to imagine how different things might have been had Ben Gannon-Doak stayed at the club - his trajectory suggests he would already be a first‑team regular - but Forrest’s longevity and loyalty ensure his place in Celtic folklore is secure.
Joel Mvuka - End of Loan Deal
Celtic’s loan signing of Joel Mvuka remains one of the most bewildering episodes in the club’s recent recruitment history. Only weeks after Celtic were prepared to sanction a £3 million permanent deal, a failed medical transformed the move into a short‑term loan that ultimately produced little more than a handful of TikTok clips and a player who drifted through the second half of the season without impact. His disappearance from the squad, despite being handed a league‑winners medal, felt symbolic of a wider malaise a recruitment strategy that has too often relied on gambles, stop‑gaps, and project players who never come close to contributing meaningfully. Mvuka’s spell at the club - fleeting, peripheral, and forgettable - has become a shorthand for the structural issues Celtic must address if they want to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Whether the solution lies in promoting youth or in smarter external scouting, the club cannot afford another misfire of this kind.
Kelechi Iheanacho - Retain
Kelechi Iheanacho’s arrival at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers felt like a late, desperate swing to replace the goals lost after Kyogo’s departure to Rennes, yet the Nigerian striker has shown enough flashes to suggest there is still a real player there.
The former Man City and Leicester poacher has battled injuries both before and during his time at Parkhead, but his quality is obvious, sharp movement, instinctive finishing, and a knack for popping up in decisive moments. If he can stay fit and trim down a little - something I say with full sympathy - he could easily hit double figures next season as one of Celtic’s main striking options. His contributions last season were more important than some realise, from key goals in the run‑in to that unforgettable moment against Hearts - a perfectly timed tackle on Cammy Devlin that helped launch Callum Osmond’s title‑clinching break away and goal, with Iheanacho sprinting alongside him, arms raised, celebrating before the ball even hit the net. That image will live long in the memory.
Celtic still need to recruit a primary striker, but Iheanacho has earned another year at the club and remains a valuable piece of the puzzle - one worth keeping while the search for our main goal threat takes place.
Callum Osmand - Keep
Callum Osmond’s rise to first team action before his long‑term hamstring injury was impressive enough, but the resilience he showed in fighting his way back to fitness and returning just in time to score Celtic’s iconic third goal against Hearts to seal the title - elevated him from promising youngster to genuine fan favourite. Winning over someone as demanding as Martin O’Neill at such an early age takes character, consistency, and courage, and the energetic Welsh forward has shown all three in abundance.
Osmond has a big future at Celtic, and the club must ensure he is retained, developed, and given regular minutes; under O’Neill, who clearly thinks highly of him, he will get that in spades. His story is already one of grit and growth, and if nurtured properly, he could become a cornerstone of Celtic’s next era.
Junior Adamu - End of Loan Deal
Another January arrival whose impact never rose above fleeting moments before disappearing without a trace, his loan spell will be remembered mostly for a single crucial goal that kept Celtic’s Scottish Cup hopes alive - and not much else. Like Joel Mvuka before him, he departs with a league‑winners medal despite contributing little on the pitch, his time at the club defined more by light‑hearted TikTok dances than meaningful performances. It’s harsh, but it’s also true, and his quiet fade from the squad only further highlights the shortcomings of Celtic’s recent recruitment strategy.
With his loan now expired, he returns to his parent club, leaving behind a reminder of how urgently Celtic must improve their approach to identifying players who can genuinely strengthen the team.
Tomas Cvancara - End of Loan Deal
Tomas Čvančara’s loan spell at Celtic came to an unsurprising end through injury ultimately, closing a chapter that never quite lived up to its early promise. Given ample opportunities to impress, he managed only two goals in 13 appearances before injury cut his season short - nowhere near enough to justify activating a £7 million buy‑out clause from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Yet for all the frustration, he will always be remembered for one moment of genuine significance, scoring the winning penalty at Ibrox that knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup quarter‑finals. That single act etched his name into a small corner of Celtic folklore, but as he returns to his parent club, it’s clear his time in Glasgow will be defined more by what might have been than what was.
In Conclusion
The scale of the task ahead for Celtic and Martin O’Neill cannot be overstated. As stated earlier, this is not a team in need of minor adjustments, but an institution staring down the barrel of its most complex rebuild in its history and that reality becomes even more pressing with the new season kicking off on 3rd August.
Celtic cannot afford to drift, delay, or repeat the same mistakes that have led to a squad bloated with stop‑gaps, short‑term fixes, and players who were never signed with a coherent plan in mind. The club has already acknowledged failures in recruitment and that too many signings have felt like “hail marys rather than strategic”, and this summer is the moment where that cycle must finally be broken.
Replacing outgoing players is only the starting point. Celtic must bring in first‑team ready footballers, players who raise the level of the starting eleven immediately, not projects, not gambles, not bodies simply to fill shirts. Depth must be rebuilt, athleticism and creativity restored, quality injected across the spine of the team. With Champions League qualification on the line and with the club already warned that they are once again running the risk of gambling with qualification by doing nothing - the margin for error is non‑existent. This rebuild must be decisive, ambitious, and aligned from boardroom to dugout. Celtic simply cannot endure another season like the last one, where the club’s ultimate league and cup double success masked decay and the cracks became too wide to ignore. The time for half‑measures is over. The future of the club depends on getting this summer right.