Celtic Fans Eager for Summer Signings After O'Neill Confirmation
Celtic supporters are craving a raft of new signings this summer after Martin O'Neill was finally confirmed as permanent manager. However, the Hoops faithful might have to wait a little longer, with club chiefs yet to thrash out terms with O'Neill's backroom staff. An agreement with Double-winning coaches Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham has yet to be struck, while the club have yet to appoint a head of recruitment following Paul Tisdale's disastrous reign.
Supporters won't accept another summer of unorganised chaos with so much work to be done ahead of the £40million winner-takes-all Champions League play-off in August. The five-in-a-row champions will also discover their Premiership fixtures on Thursday as they begin their defence of the title, and punters will demand quality reinforcements in time for the big kick-off.
Under-fire supremo Dermot Desmond has already publicly declared his intent to back O'Neill with a summer war chest. Here, Record Sport examines potential incomings and outgoings that O'Neill will be keeping tabs on.
Potential Incomings
Kasper Hogh: Danish hitman Hogh would really get fans' juices flowing if he were to pitch up at Celtic Park this summer. The Bodo/Glimt goal machine has been on the Hoops' radar for a while, and his stock is high after a scintillating Champions League campaign where he scored against the likes of Man City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan. The prolific 25-year-old has already notched seven in 10 since the Eliteserien season restarted in April and could be hot property. O'Neill is desperately looking to add more firepower to his profligate frontline, and Hogh would be a statement signing. The one major stumbling block? He'd cost a lot of pennies.
Jakob Breum: Midfielder Breum is another Dane that Celts could resurrect their long-term interest in. Go Ahead Eagles kicked out several bids from the Scottish champions last summer, with the club's sporting director advising Celtic to 'take a leaf from Rangers' book' when it comes to negotiating deals. Breum, 22, enjoyed another impressive season for the Dutch side, scoring six and assisting seven across the Eredivisie and Europa League. He's valued at around £4m, and with O'Neill set to clear out his engine room, creative playmaker Breum would be an obvious target.
Elijah Just: Motherwell sensation Just enjoyed a standout debut campaign in Scotland and was nominated for PFA Player of the Year. The New Zealand star ran the show in the middle of the park for Jens Berthel Askou's swashbuckling team and is believed to have drawn interest from both Celtic and Rangers. Just, 26, is currently starring at the World Cup for the All Whites, but Fir Park chiefs are braced for offers over the coming weeks.
Benjamin Tahirovic: Reports in Scandinavia last week suggested Celtic have made contact with Brondby over a deal for 23-year-old Tahirovic. Known as an aggressive midfielder, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is currently on World Cup duty, and Brondby are reluctant to enter talks until after the tournament, where they hope his value will skyrocket. The ex-Roma talent has made 49 appearances since his move from Ajax in February 2025 and would likely command a fee north of £6m.
Ivan Basic: Bosnian teammate Basic is another player linked with a move to Celtic. It's reported that Hoops scouts are casting an eye over the midfielder at the World Cup. The Croatian-born midfielder has three goals and six assists since joining Kazakhstan club Astana from Russian outfit Orenburg last summer. With Arne Engels, Reo Hatate, and Paulo Bernardo all expected to depart Parkhead, Basic is viewed as a possible replacement.
Jari de Busser: Celtic are also looking to bolster their goalkeeping department this summer, and Go Ahead Eagles No1 De Busser is said to be on a list of possible targets. The Parkhead giants are in the market for a new shotstopper following the retirement of Denmark veteran Kasper Schmeichel. Finland international Viljami Sinisalo impressed between the sticks after being handed the gloves in February, but it's believed O'Neill is keen on adding more quality competition, with Ross Doohan the only other senior goalie. Belgian De Busser, 26, could be available for a cut-price deal as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
Kieron Bowie: Bowie only swapped Hibs for Serie A less than six months ago, but he's already been linked with a shock move back to Scotland. Reports in Italy have claimed Celtic have made contact with Hellas Verona over a possible deal. Ex-Fulham starlet Bowie, 23, netted four goals in the Italian top-flight but couldn't save his new club from relegation as they finished bottom. Bowie was unlucky to miss out on a place in Steve Clarke's World Cup squad, and a quick-fire return to the Premiership could appeal if Celts come calling.
Marcelo Saracchi: Record Sport revealed last week that Celts could land Saracchi permanently for less than £2m. The Uruguayan left-back has been deemed surplus to requirements at Boca Juniors, and the Argentinian giants won't be difficult to deal with. It's believed Saracchi is keen on returning to Parkhead on a full-time deal after becoming a fans' favourite during his season-long loan. It's understood boss O'Neill also wants to be reunited with the ex-RB Leipzig star, but Hoops chiefs have yet to open official talks. Saracchi also has growing interest from the MLS and Turkey.
Kelechi Iheanacho: Cult hero Iheanacho spearheaded Celtic's revival with a glut of dramatic last-minute goals to claw back the gap on Hearts and end the season with the Premiership trophy. The former Manchester City striker endured an injury-plagued campaign, and O'Neill was less than convinced with his fitness. But Iheanacho turned out to be the Parkhead club's saviour with a string of super-sub showings, netting crucial winners at Dundee, Hibs, and Motherwell. Iheanacho, 29, is out of contract but has made it clear he wants to stay in Glasgow.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Ex-Liverpool, Arsenal, and England superstar Oxlade-Chamberlain was a shock arrival in February after the transfer window closed. The experienced midfielder signed as a free agent but didn't feature as much as many fans would've expected. However, Oxlade-Chamberlain definitely played his part in Celtic's miraculous title comeback, winning six points on his own against Livingston and St Mirren. The 32-year-old tied the knot with celebrity WAG Perrie Edwards at the weekend, and it's understood the pair loved life in Scotland. Like Iheanacho, the Ox is out of contract and awaiting word from Parkhead if he'll be offered an extension.
Potential Outgoings
Arne Engels: Celtic's under-fire board were slaughtered by fans and pundits alike for rejecting a monstrous £25million bid for midfielder Engels. The Belgian has divided opinion ever since his club record £11m switch from Augsburg in 2024. O'Neill was adamant Engels would not be sold in January, and he was backed by the hierarchy as Nottingham Forest had THREE bids knocked back. Now, after an impressive end to the campaign, it's unlikely Celts will stand in the Double-winning star's way should more lucrative offers come to the table. Forest, AC Milan, and Napoli are among the clubs interested.
Daizen Maeda: Maeda looked disillusioned for the majority of the campaign after seeing a dream move to the Bundesliga blocked by Celtic in the dying hours of the summer window. The Japan sensation felt he had served his time at Parkhead and wanted a fresh challenge. A relentless force of nature, Maeda seemed a shadow of the man who hoovered up all of the 2024/25 Player of the Year gongs. But he stepped up when it really mattered. Maeda was a man on a mission as he rattled NINE goals in his last seven games to inspire Celts to league and Scottish Cup glory. O'Neill has promised to grant Maeda his wish this summer, and the serial-winner will bow out as a modern-day great.
Benjamin Nygren: Nygren's numbers across his debut season at Celtic are mind-blowing. 30 goal contributions, including 21 strikes and nine assists, in 43 starts is quite frankly sensational. Yet the Super Swede still hasn't fully won over the green-and-white faithful. Someone once said 'If he could add games to his goals he'd be a player,' and that probably reflects the weight of feeling on Nygren. While his stats are spectacular, the playmaker can be frustrating on the eye at times, dipping in and out of games. Still, without his output, Celtic wouldn't have been near the league championship. Signed for a bargain £1.28m from Nordsaelland, the World Cup star could make the Hoops a massive profit this summer.
