Josh Mccafferty

Celtic defeated LASK 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff, taking a commanding advantage to Austria. Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring with a spectacular volley before Camilo Duran added two excellent goals, producing his best performance since joining Celtic. LASK threatened in transition, particularly through Samuel Adeniran and Moses Usor, but Celtic managed the defensive pressure effectively. New signing Mika Baur also impressed on his first competitive start, while Martin O'Neill's side can progress by reproducing this performance in the return leg.

Celtic will play Rangers at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals on the weekend of September 12–13. Celtic reached the last eight with a 4-0 victory over Dundee United, while Rangers advanced after defeating St Mirren 5-1. Full fixture details are to be confirmed.

Arne Engels has completed a £22 million transfer from Celtic to West Ham United, leaving after two seasons, 100 appearances and four major honours. Celtic had originally signed the midfielder from Augsburg for £11 million. Manager Martin O'Neill expressed disappointment at the departure and said the club still wants a physical, box-to-box midfielder rather than treating Mika Baur as a direct replacement. Engels leaves shortly before Celtic's Champions League playoff against LASK.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has named his starting XI for the Premier Sports Cup match against Dundee United at Tannadice. The lineup features Sinisalo, Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales, McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nygren, Tounekti, Duran and Høgh, while new signings Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan begin on the bench. Celtic enter the match after a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock but have lost their previous two visits to Dundee United.

Celtic began their Scottish Premiership title defence with a narrow 1–0 win over Dundee, Benjamin Nygren scoring from Kieran Tierney’s cross. Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston performed well despite transfer interest, while Cameron Carter-Vickers impressed on his return from a long-term injury. Record signing Kasper Hogh missed several chances but made an encouraging debut. Celtic remain top after rivals Rangers and Hearts stumbled, although the performance exposed a need for defensive and wide-attacking reinforcements ahead of a demanding run of fixtures and their Champions League play-off.

Celtic will host Dundee at Celtic Park in Glasgow on Monday, August 3, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in their Scottish Premiership opener. Sky Sports will broadcast the match on Main Event and Football, while NOW TV will provide a live-streaming option. Celtic's listed pre-season results include draws with AC Milan, Middlesbrough and Shelbourne, plus a defeat to Sporting CP.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said players returning from World Cup duty should be back with the squad by Monday, while confirming that Alistair Johnston was held out of the friendly against AC Milan as a precaution and Yang had resumed training after a minor setback. Midfielder Benjamin Nygren missed the 2-2 draw with an Achilles problem, though O’Neill does not believe it is serious. Celtic begin their title defence against Dundee on August 3.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says striker Kasper Høgh is expected to undergo a medical after the club agreed a fee of more than £11 million with Bodø/Glimt. O'Neill describes Høgh, who scored six Champions League goals last season, as the calibre of player Celtic are seeking and says the club wants to add one or two more players. He also praised Daizen Maeda following his £10 million move to Ipswich Town, saying the Japanese forward deserved the opportunity, and highlighted the preseason progress of academy winger Thomas Hatton.

Celtic drew 2–2 with AC Milan in their final pre-season match, showing significant improvement after a heavy defeat by Sporting CP. Camilo Duran opened the scoring and assisted James Forrest, strengthening the case for him to lead the attack despite the imminent arrival of Kasper Høgh. Milan responded through an 18-year-old Francesco Camarda brace after making extensive half-time changes. Celtic created further chances and several substitutes impressed, although the squad still requires strengthening before the competitive season begins. Attendance was higher than for the previous friendly but remained below a typical Celtic Park crowd.

Celtic's new signing Camilo Duran discusses his move from Colombia and Portugal to Glasgow, the sacrifices involved in leaving his family behind, and his ambitions with the club. After scoring five Champions League goals for Qarabag last season, Duran hopes to help Celtic return to Europe's premier competition. He draws inspiration from the atmosphere at Celtic Park and his boyhood club Independiente Medellín, while citing Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez as idols and expressing a desire to earn a Colombia call-up. Duran has scored in both of his opening friendlies and says he would welcome another striker joining to strengthen the team.

Luke McCowan hopes to break into Scotland’s national team after being placed on standby last year, stressing that increased playing time at Celtic is essential to his chances. The midfielder, who recently extended his contract and made 42 appearances last season, believes squad transition following Scotland’s World Cup exit could open opportunities for new players. He reflects on watching the tournament, his career path, and the ageing core of Scotland’s midfield, while outlining his priority of contributing to Celtic’s title defence and Champions League push as he works toward earning his first cap.

Martin O’Neill criticizes broadcaster Jim White for implying Celtic’s title win was tarnished by a pitch invasion, arguing there was no evidence Hearts players were struck and that celebrations were cleared quickly. He reflects on the atmosphere surrounding the final match, notes Hearts’ rapid exit from the stadium, and praises Derek McInnes’ managerial success as he takes over at Rangers. O’Neill warns of a disconnect among Celtic supporters due to limited transfer activity and stresses the importance of unity and new signings ahead of Champions League qualifiers.

Liam Scales praises Cameron Carter-Vickers’ return from a long-term Achilles injury, calling him the league’s best centre-half and highlighting his leadership and physical presence. The pair, who have played together for several years since joining Celtic in 2021, have developed a close off‑pitch friendship built on shared time in training and discussions about football and life. As the new season begins, they are expected to be key selections in the centre of defence under manager Martin O'Neill.

Liam Scales stresses Celtic must improve their consistency and points tally to retain the Scottish Premiership title after a season disrupted by managerial changes and external pressures. He highlights stronger league competition, the need for tactical stability, and the benefits of Martin O'Neill’s continued leadership. With pre-season offering time to refine principles and balance direct and possession-based play, Scales aims to build on last season’s heavy involvement and help drive the team toward a more dominant 2026–27 campaign.

Colby Donovan reflects on his breakthrough season at Celtic, crediting opportunity, competition within the squad and managerial changes for his development. With several key players returning and AC Milan up next in pre-season, he emphasises the club’s ambition to reach the Champions League. Despite slow transfer activity, Donovan expresses confidence in the Celtic board while praising new signing Camilo Duran, who has made an immediate impact.

James Forrest praised new Celtic signing Camilo Duran after the forward scored again in pre-season, noting his sharpness, finishing and strong hold-up play. Duran, who does not speak English, has been settling in with the help of Paulo Bernardo, who has been translating and supporting him behind the scenes. Forrest highlighted the importance of creating a welcoming environment for new players and expressed optimism about Duran’s continued progress.

Martin O'Neill confirmed Celtic believed they had secured a deal to re-sign Kelechi Iheanacho before the striker chose to join Bursaspor. Marcelo Saracchi will also not return despite efforts from his camp to finalise an agreement. O'Neill reported progress on potential new signings but offered no timeline, stressing caution after the failed Iheanacho deal. He acknowledged low attendance at the Middlesbrough friendly, citing cost and scheduling, and praised supporters for their backing at the end of last season. Celtic finish pre-season against AC Milan ahead of their Premiership opener against Dundee.

Camilo Duran scored his second goal in as many pre-season matches as Celtic drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough in a friendly marked by poor home attendance. David Strelec opened the scoring for Middlesbrough before Duran equalised after an energetic performance leading the line. Celtic’s display showed limited tactical evolution despite manager Martin O'Neill’s stated aims, with midfield struggles prompting significant halftime changes. Young players, including Sean McArdle and Thomas Hatton, received opportunities, with mixed impact. Sparse attendance reflected growing supporter frustration over a lack of transfer activity, heightened by news that Marcelo Saracchi and Kelechi Iheanacho would not be returning to the club.

Martin O’Neill named three changes to Celtic’s lineup for a friendly against Middlesbrough following their return from a Portugal training camp. New signing Camilo Duran starts after scoring midweek, while recent matches against Sporting CP and Shelbourne are noted. The article lists the full starting XI and substitutes for the match at Celtic Park.

Scot Gemmill stepped down as head coach of Scotland’s under‑21 team after nearly a decade in the role, following earlier positions with the under‑17s and under‑19s since joining the Scottish FA in 2013. The association acknowledged his contributions developing young players and thanked him for his service, with Chief Football Officer Craig Mulholland praising his impact as both player and coach.

Viljami Sinisalo urges Celtic players to block out fan frustration over limited transfer activity while acknowledging the need to strengthen the squad. He highlights the unifying impact of the Celtic Park atmosphere and stresses the importance of on‑pitch focus. Despite last season’s double, key signings have been missed, with only Camilo Duran joining so far. Interest from other clubs in Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels remains, though Sinisalo values their impact and notes that major bids must be considered as part of football’s realities.

Viljami Sinisalo aims to secure his position as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper, frequently seeking guidance from manager Martin O’Neill as the club explores signing a new keeper. After taking the No. 1 jersey for the new season, he reflects on pre-season performances, O’Neill’s leadership, and the momentum from last year’s double-winning run. Recently returned teammates and new signing Camilo Duran are settling in as Celtic prepare for upcoming fixtures, with Sinisalo focused on continuous improvement and future ambitions grounded in present performance.

Celtic’s pre-season trips to Ireland and Portugal focused on fitness, bonding, and intensive double training sessions. Manager Martin O’Neill remains calm about transfer delays despite growing supporter frustration and believes squad reinforcements will arrive, contingent on departures. Performances in friendlies against Shelbourne and Sporting CP were unconvincing, with limited attacking patterns and makeshift lineups, though O’Neill views the results as typical pre-season fluctuations given missing World Cup players and emphasis on conditioning. Upcoming friendlies against Middlesbrough and AC Milan will shape expectations ahead of the Scottish Premiership opener.

Celtic striker Callum Osmand aims to evolve from being known for key moments to contributing consistently throughout the season. After scoring the title‑winning goal last year, he now seeks regular performances and increased responsibility as he enters the new campaign as the provisional first‑choice striker. Osmand values competition within the squad, plans discussions with manager Martin O’Neill about his role, and remains motivated by the support he has received since breaking into the team. A UEFA rule change now limits his international eligibility to England despite earlier youth caps for Wales.

Callum McGregor is not expected to join Brendan Rodgers at Al Qadsiah due to the club having filled its foreign player quota. Despite recently changing to a Dubai-based agent, he remains under contract with Celtic until 2028, though a move elsewhere in the Middle East is still possible, particularly under former manager Ange Postecoglou at Al-Nassr. Manager Martin O'Neill indicated McGregor has not expressed a desire to leave but acknowledged that a lucrative offer could influence his decision.

Martin O'Neill expresses confidence that Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond will support the completion of transfer deals as the club works to strengthen its squad before the season begins. Recruitment efforts continue with a new head of recruitment planned and ongoing evaluations of potential signings, including recent additions and contract discussions. Several key players may depart, increasing the need for further signings, but O'Neill remains unconcerned about the pace of activity and maintains regular communication with club leadership during preparations for the upcoming campaign.

Manager Martin O'Neill praised new signing Camilo Duran following Celtic’s 4–1 friendly loss to Sporting CP and expressed optimism about further transfer activity, including efforts to sign Kelechi Iheanacho. He remained open to a possible return for Julian Araujo but noted uncertainty over Bournemouth’s intentions. Despite the defeat, O'Neill was unconcerned, viewing the match as a valuable pre-season test and expecting squad additions and returning players to strengthen the team ahead of the new season.

Sporting CP defeated Celtic 4-1 in a pre-season match in the Algarve, exposing concerns about Celtic's fitness, squad depth, and readiness for the upcoming season. New signing Camilo Duran scored on his debut and impressed with his energy and composure, though defensive errors quickly restored Sporting’s advantage. Several academy players were given minutes but showed they remain developmental prospects. With key players absent and limited transfer progress, Celtic face mounting pressure to strengthen the squad, particularly in attacking and left‑back positions, as domestic rivals reinforce and memories of last season’s struggles linger.

Luke McCowan reflects on a whirlwind summer featuring Celtic’s league and cup double followed by his wedding in Tuscany. Preparing for the new season, he emphasizes hard work in pre-season and expresses confidence in the team’s ability to defend their title. He recalls the highs of last season, including strong squad belief that carried Celtic to the championship, and looks ahead with the simple goal of winning it again.

Jota is set to return to Celtic training after 15 months recovering from an ACL injury, though manager Martin O'Neill does not expect him to feature in the immediate future. O'Neill has offered striker Kelechi Iheanacho a new contract and says he is unaware of any bid for Arne Engels. New signing Camilo Duran is currently ill and will be assessed ahead of the upcoming friendly against Sporting CP.

Martin O’Neill plans to discuss Callum McGregor’s future at Celtic after the captain changed agents amid ongoing interest from Saudi Arabia. O’Neill praised McGregor’s leadership and importance to the club but acknowledged that a major offer could influence his decision. The manager also addressed recent staff changes, including replacing Gavin Strachan with Ross Grant, and highlighted the growing tactical value of set‑piece coaching as the team prepares for the new season.

Martin O'Neill hopes to keep Daizen Maeda at Celtic for the final year of his contract despite expectations of a summer exit and compares the situation to Henrik Larsson’s final season. Reo Hatate may also seek a move after an unsettled preseason, while Arne Engels is expected to attract further bids following previous interest from Nottingham Forest. Benjamin Nygren could depart after an impressive season, and with several key players potentially leaving, Celtic’s recruitment team faces a demanding transfer window.

James Forrest reflects on the final-day title decider in which Celtic beat Hearts, describing how he consoled his brother Alan, who was disappointed after the defeat. He discusses the emotional split within the family, the significance of the match, and the strong season Hearts produced. Forrest also addresses Celtic’s preparations for the new campaign, including Martin O'Neill’s managerial appointment, squad strengthening, and the importance of keeping captain Callum McGregor. Entering his 18th season, Forrest emphasises his commitment, competition for places, and desire to continue contributing as Celtic pursue further success.

James Forrest credited Kieran Tierney for choosing the Tina Turner song used in Celtic’s dressing‑room celebrations after winning the league, a moment that playfully targeted rivals Rangers. Forrest described the past season as his most dramatic, highlighting the late title win over Hearts, the team’s resilience through managerial changes, and their eventual league and cup double.

Martin O’Neill confirms Camilo Duran was long targeted by Celtic before signing from Qarabag and says negotiations continue to re‑sign Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, though work remains on deals. Duran expresses excitement about joining Celtic and ambitions for Champions League success. Reports linking the club with midfielder Mory Gbane prompt O’Neill to downplay speculation, noting the volume of names mentioned during the transfer window.

Martin O'Neill accepted the Celtic managerial role after consulting close family and weighing concerns about his age, energy and enthusiasm. His successful interim spells and strong finish last season influenced the decision, supported by friends and family. He has begun reshaping the squad with new signings, including Camilo Duran and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and is targeting further recruits ahead of crucial Champions League qualifiers. With a demanding early schedule, O'Neill plans to push at full intensity as Celtic aim for continued domestic success.

Cameron Carter-Vickers returned from a long Achilles injury layoff, expressing relief at regaining fitness after missing most of Celtic’s dramatic double-winning season. He praised manager Martin O'Neill and captain Callum McGregor for their leadership while acknowledging the club’s efforts to strengthen the squad through new signings and contract extensions. Though injury kept him out of the World Cup, he remains focused on regaining full fitness ahead of the upcoming campaign and potentially future international opportunities.

Reo Hatate missed Celtic’s friendly against Shelbourne after arriving late to preseason due to illness but will rejoin the squad in Portugal. Martin O’Neill said the midfielder is working to regain fitness. Johnny Kenny returned from his loan at Bolton but is unavailable for several weeks due to injury, though his loan performance was praised. Celtic continue to seek an additional striker and goalkeeper, with discussions ongoing to re-sign Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is pursuing a return for Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi while also seeking another goalkeeper following Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement. The club is close to signing Qarabag forward Camilo Duran but still wants an additional centre‑forward. Young defender Joseph Haney featured in the pre‑season draw with Shelbourne, while Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain has joined the squad in Portugal after extending his contract. O'Neill expects further improvements from the midfielder as the team prepares for the new season.

Martin O'Neill attributed the delay in confirming his Celtic backroom staff to his own hesitation as he evaluated whether to keep existing coaches Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham. After arriving in Portugal for a warm‑weather training camp, he prepares the squad for a friendly against Sporting CP, with Camilo Duran and Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain set to join and discussions ongoing regarding potential signings Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.

Martin O'Neill confirmed that Camilo Duran’s transfer to Celtic is close to completion and expects the forward to join the squad in Portugal within a day. He stressed the need for additional summer signings as recruitment efforts continue. Yang Hyun-jun has been selected for South Korea’s Asian Games squad, leaving Celtic without the winger for several weeks later in the year, a situation anticipated when his contract was renewed.

Celtic drew 1-1 with Shelbourne in their first pre-season friendly, with Shin Yamada scoring a late penalty after a late opener from the hosts. Young left-back Joseph Haney impressed in a rare start as several academy players featured throughout the match. Cameron Carter-Vickers returned from a long-term injury, providing stability in defense. Dermot Desmond made a rare appearance amid ongoing criticism of his leadership. Fringe players, including Maik Nawrocki and Balikwisha, were given opportunities, with Nawrocki standing out. The match served as a key assessment for younger squad members ahead of Celtic’s trip to Portugal.

Celtic begin their pre-season preparations with matches in Ireland and Portugal, including friendlies against Shelbourne and Sporting CP. Manager Martin O'Neill leads a squad featuring established players and academy prospects, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joins the team in Portugal after signing a new deal. The Herald will provide on‑site coverage, including live blogs, reaction, and updates throughout the trip as Celtic continue their summer rebuild ahead of the 2026–27 season.