Celtic have opened talks with the agent of Elias Filet and are seen as favourites to win a keenly contested race to sign the striker from Swiss second-tier club FC Aarau. (TeamTalk)
Celtic have yet to reach an agreement with key members of Martin O'Neill's backroom team despite the interim boss agreeing to become the permanent manager on a one-year deal. (The Herald)
Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.
Image source, SNSStephen Welsh spent most of last season with Motherwell
Stephen Welsh says Swansea City "really wanted me" after he agreed to join the Championship club from Celtic following a second loan spell at Motherwell.
The 26-year-old defender will arrive in Wales on a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months on 1 July after agreeing to terminate his contract at Celtic Park.
Welsh made 31 appearances in total last term, with two of those for Celtic in between his loan spells at Well. He netted once and overall has six goals in more than 100 senior club appearances and has been capped up to under-21 level by Scotland.
"I am delighted to be joining Swansea, it's a big club with a proud history," Welsh said.
"They made it clear that they really wanted me and with the way the head coach (Vítor Matos) spoke about the club, the environment he wants to create and the way he wants to play, it was a no-brainer."
Image source, Getty ImagesBenjamin Tahirovic has been capped 28 times by his country
Celtic have made contact with Brondby over the availability of 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic. (Spilxperten), external
Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland are stepping up their interest in Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 22. (Scotsman - subscription required), external
Jackie McNamara believes former club Celtic should expect transfer interest in Canada right-back Alistair Johnston, 27. (Record), external
And McNamara praises manager Martin O'Neill for guiding Celtic to a domestic double last season amid a series of injuries. (National - subscription required), external
O'Neill has been spotted at Glasgow Airport, with the 74-year-old expected to continue as Celtic manager next season. (Sun), external
Swansea City are closing in on the signing of Celtic centre-back Stephen Welsh, who is out of contract after his loan spell with Motherwell, and the 26-year-old has agreed a two-year deal, with the Championship club having the option to extend by a further year. (Anthony Joseph on X), external
Image source, SNSFormer Celtic chairman Kevin Kelly has died at age 88.
Kelly chaired the board from 1991-94 and left following the Fergus McCann-led takeover of the club.
Prior to his spell as chairman, Kelly, grandson of former Celtic captain James, had been a director since 1971.
"Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Kevin's family at this very difficult time," Celtic said.
Image source, Getty ImagesAC Milan will visit Glasgow in July
Scottish champions Celtic will host AC Milan in a pre-season friendly on 25 July.
The match at Celtic Park will kick off at 15:00 BST, with the sides sharing a pitch together for the first time since their 2020 Europa League meetings.
It will be one of Celtic's warm-up matches for the 2026-27 domestic season, with their Premiership opener expected on the weekend of 1 and 2 August.
Celtic are set to continue with Martin O'Neill as manager after he guided the side to a league and Scottish Cup double last season.
During his first spell as Celtic boss, Celtic faced Milan in the Champions League - a home win for the Italians and a draw in Glasgow in 2004.
Former Celtic forward Alan McInally believes Martin O'Neill will have been told he has funds to spend in the transfer market, with O'Neill expected to continue as the club's manager next season. (Record - subscription required), external
Nottingham Forest face competition from two other clubs for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 22. (National - subscription required), external
Former Ferenvaros head coach Robbie Keane was fully aware that Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill had first refusal on the job permanently during his discussions with major shareholder Dermot Desmond and there remains a strong chance he could become the club's team boss in the future. (Irish Independent), external
Celtic will have to pay £4.4m to land Go Ahead Eagles midfielder Jakob Breum after reviving their interest in the 22-year-old who was of interest in January. (VI via Daily Record), external
Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Reo Hatate, the 28-year-old Japan midfielder who remains under contract until 2028 but fell out of favour under Martin O'Neill, has informed Celtic that he wants to leave the Scottish champions this summer. (The Herald), external
Tokyo have agreed a £1.3m transfer fee for centre-half Hayato Inamura to move permanently from Celtic following the 24-year-old's loan spell back in Japan. (Kazu Kakiuchi on X), external
Michael Noonan, the 17-year-old striker for whom Celtic submitted an offer in January, is in advanced talks to join Ajax from Shamrock Rovers, according to the42., external (Scottish Sun), external
Celtic players "love" assistant Mark Fotheringham and hold him in high regard, former Celtic striker Tony Watt has claimed. (The National), external
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSReo Hatate fell out of favour with Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill
Celtic have an interest in Rodez forward Tairyk Arconte, 22. (Foot Meracto - in French), external
Meanwhile, last season's top scorer, Sweden midfielder Benjamin Nygren, 24, is not ruling out a Celtic exit (Glasgow Times), external
Defender Dara Jikiemi, 16, has turned down a new contract at Celtic, amid interest from Liverpool. (Record - subscription required), external
Former Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy is linked with Lorient. (L'Equipe - in French), external
Image source, Getty ImagesAlistair Johnston (second from left) and Liam Scales (far right) played a half each in Montreal
Celtic defenders Alistair Johnston and Liam Scales missed out on a direct international match-up after each played a half in Canada's 1-1 friendly draw with Republic of Ireland.
Johnston, 27, started for Canada at Montreal's Stade Saputo - winning his 58th cap - and was replaced at half-time by Niko Sigur.
Scales, 27, replaced Corrie Ndaba at the break for Republic of Ireland for a 15th international appearance.
Jake O'Brien's own goal gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half and Chiedozie Ogbene levelled on the hour mark.
World Cup co-hosts Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B.
We asked for your thoughts after the news broke that Celtic are set to appoint Martin O'Neill manager on a permanent basis.
Here's what some of you said:
Daniel: Feel like a treble now Martin's signed up for next year.
Patrick: Fantastic news! Clearly a great manager who knows the club and players. That will be a valuable head start in pre-season which is much needed. A double this year, let's see what next year brings with MON at the wheel!
John: The best news this season. Best man for the job. Let's have less of all the nonsense that's went on this season and get behind the team.
Cameron: A fantastic announcement for Celtic supporters and one that brings a welcome sense of stability at a time when the club has found itself navigating considerable uncertainty. What a manager, and an uplifting moment for the Celtic support.
James: Really pleased he has decided to take on the job for at least another year. I wouldn't have minded Robbie Keane and thought he would have been a good appointment in terms of football, however his appointment will have sown division in the support which last season proved cannot happen again. Let's hope he can get the board moving their hands to their pockets and give him the backing in continuing to unite the supporters.
TJ: Delighted. Deserves a chance at a full season and European football that he delivered.
John: Brilliant. Best decision the board has made in a long time. Now they need to get on with transfer business as soon as possible to be ready for the Champions League qualifier. We don't want a repeat of last year's debacle.
So Celtic fans, Martin O'Neill is staying at Parkhead for another year at least.
The 74-year-old led Celtic to a league and Scottish Cup double last season.
We want to know your thoughts on the appointment, are you happy O'Neill is staying?
Tell us here.
Celtic defenders Alistair Johnston and Liam Scales may be up against each other when Canada face Republic of Ireland in Saturday morning's friendly. (Sun), external
Meanwhile, Celtic and Rangers appear to have missed out on BK Hacken midfielder Silas Andersen, who has opted to join Portugal's Sporting. (Herald - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSThe 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).
Image source, SNSRobbie Keane is being heavily linked with Celtic
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
Image source, Getty ImagesLuis 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.
Image source, PACeltic 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."
