Martin O'Neill will welcome a threadbare Celtic squad back to Lennoxtown on Friday as pre-season finally kicks into gear. The champions’ non-international stars will swap the sunloungers for the running track as the Double-winners begin their bid for six-in-a-row and another shot at Champions League football.
World Cup Absentees
But several big hitters will be missing, with eight first-team stars still on World Cup duty. Scotland pair Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston are on the brink of history as Steve Clarke’s men chase a first-ever place in the knockout stages. Auston Trusty has already booked his ticket to the last 32 after helping the USA top Group D, while Alistair Johnston is earning rave reviews after Canada’s eye-catching 6-0 demolition of Qatar. Benjamin Nygren has started both of Sweden’s matches, Yang has featured for South Korea, but Sebastian Tounekti will be the first Celt heading home after Tunisia’s elimination was confirmed following a 4-0 defeat to Daizen Maeda’s Japan.
Returning Players and Transfer Plans
With so many still away on international duty, O’Neill may not have his full title-winning squad back together until the end of next month at the earliest. In the meantime, the veteran gaffer will look to push ahead with his transfer business, with Marcelo Saracchi expected to be the first through the door. As things stand, no deals have been offered to out-of-contract duo Kelechi Iheanacho or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. But for those returning this week, it’s straight into the hard yards - and a chance to make an early impression. Some forgotten Bhoys will be fighting for a place in O’Neill’s plans, others simply hoping for a clean slate.
Goalkeepers
Viljami Sinisalo: The No1 jersey is his to lose. But the Finland international should expect fresh competition as O'Neill targets a replacement for retired Kasper Schmeichel. Ross Doohan: Homegrown back-up goalie Doohan ticks UEFA boxes as he fills European quota. Likely to be third-choice once O'Neill bolsters his goalkeeping ranks.
Defenders
Cameron Carter-Vickers: American Man Mountain's return will feel like a new signing. Season-ending injury last October meant he never kicked a ball under O'Neill. But now he's fit and ready to go. Liam Scales: Irish stopper was rewarded with a new four-year deal and O'Neill is a big fan. Could be paired with CCV at the heart of the defence next term. Dane Murray: Murray turns 23 on Friday and is no longer a youngster. The towering centre-half was used sparingly last term but will have his sights set on nailing down a regular starting spot. Maik Nawrocki: Polish outcast returns from a season-long loan stint with Hannover. Nawrocki made 18 appearances as the Germans missed out on Bundesliga promotion. Could yet join them on a permanent basis. Colby Donovan: Teenage right-back, 19, had a decent breakout year as he stepped up in Alistair Johnston's absence. Has potential but might be farmed out on loan to aid his development. Adam Montgomery: Versatile left-back turns 24 next month but incredibly hasn't kicked a ball for Celtic since Boxing Day 2021. Livingston loan was cut short after a nightmare hamstring injury. Still has a year left on his contract but likely to be offloaded.
Midfielders
Callum McGregor: Skipper will have recharged his batteries over the summer watching the World Cup from afar after hanging up his boots for Scotland. McGregor is still the first name on the team sheet but has demanded ambition from the hierarchy this summer. Luke McCowan: Hoops diehard penned a two-year extension but must up his levels this year. Ex-Dundee playmaker never played as much as he'd have liked but is a useful squad option. Arne Engels: Belgian is still on the books - for now. The £25m-rated star is expected to move on with Nottingham Forest leading the race for his signature. Could bank Celts a record sum with Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Napoli also keen. Paulo Bernardo: Fringe man was completely bombed out last term and will explore his options. Has struggled to cement a regular starting berth since his £3.5m switch from Benfica in 2024 and is well down the pecking order. Reo Hatate: Fans' favourite is believed to have informed the club of his intention to leave this summer. Hatate fell out of the picture in the final weeks and looks in dire need of a new challenge after four-and-a-half years in Glasgow. Kyle Ure: Highly-rated midfielder spent last season on loan at Ayr United and has been hailed as a 'mini Callum McGregor' by Hoops icon Scott Brown. Now 20, the Scotland Under-21 starlet will be hoping to catch O'Neill's eye. Francis Turley: Northern Irish kid, 20, made his debut under Brendan Rodgers in 2024 and penned a bumper four-year deal. Playmaker spent second part of last term on loan at Somersest Park but really needs to kick on.
Forwards
Jota: Portuguese winger has been sidelined for 14 months with an ACL tear and isn't expected to be back until October at the earliest. Who knows if fans will see the same player they fell in love with? Michel-Ange Balikwisha: The £5m misfit looked lost in a Celtic jersey and found himself out of the reckoning. Has been putting the work in over the summer as he tries to salvage his Hoops career but looks surplus to requirements. James Forrest: The Scottish Ryan Giggs, Celtic's most decorated player is still contributing as he turns 35. The one-club man's experience on and off the park will be invaluable for O'Neill during a summer of transition. Callum Osmand: Ex-Fulham hotshot has only played 125 minutes of senior football but scored massive goals against Hearts and Rangers. Looks to have a huge future after recovering from a long-term hamstring tear. Shin Yamada: The Japan cap doesn't have a future at Celtic and flopped on loan with the bottom side in Germany's second tier. Ex-Kawasaki Frontale striker could return to the J-League. Johnny Kenny: Kenny hit a hot streak at Bolton after netting five games on the bounce. Irish striker told Record Sport he's confident he can become Celtic's 20-goal striker but the jury is out.
