NafisaWith the summer window edging closer, Celtic’s recruitment plans are already beginning to take shape, as the club prepare for what is expected to be a major rebuild across several areas of the squad.
Attention is slowly shifting towards both incoming and outgoing business, with the hierarchy aware that significant change is unavoidable if progress is to be made next season.
Behind the scenes, discussions have been ongoing about how to refresh a squad that at times struggled for consistency, even though they still managed to get over the line domestically.
There is also an understanding that European ambitions will require far greater depth and quality, particularly in key attacking areas where performance levels fluctuated throughout the campaign.
Much of the late-season focus was on stabilising the environment and ensuring silverware was still delivered, something that looked in doubt before a strong turnaround in form.
The Bhoys faced a potentially disastrous conclusion to the season, had it not been for the impressive impact of Martin O’Neill and his coaching team, with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham especially playing key roles in supporting the Irishman’s push for success at Paradise.
Beating Hearts and Rangers to the punch
After edging ahead of both Hearts and Rangers during his interim spell, O’Neill was eventually handed a one-year contract last Friday, with the option of an additional season included in the agreement.
The scale of the job facing O’Neill and his staff is significant, following what many view as a prolonged period of underwhelming recruitment and structural inconsistency.
Several major names are expected to move on, with Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate strongly tipped to depart, while uncertainty continues to surround Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren and Alistair Johnston – with the latter pair also set to feature at the upcoming World Cup this summer.
Celtic set to miss out on Noonan
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Noonan of Shamrock Rovers – a club in which Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond reportedly holds a notable interest – now appears increasingly likely to seal a move to the Eredivisie side despite previous links with the Hoops.
According to the42.ie, the Dutch giants, the historic home of Johan Cruyff, are now in advanced talks to secure the highly-rated youngster, who is expected to join their development setup upon arrival in Amsterdam.
For Celtic, however, there is little time to reflect on missed opportunities, with a busy and demanding transfer window ahead requiring swift action in both recruitment and player departures.
Martin O’Neill will also be tasked with managing exits and restructuring the squad, ensuring that any players deemed surplus to requirements are moved on efficiently as part of the rebuild.
Reo Hatate has asked to leave Celtic:
Reo Hatate has made clear his intention to move on, and with Daizen Maeda also expected to depart, it signals the beginning of a transitional phase at Celtic Park, with supporters hoping it leads to a stronger and more competitive squad moving forward.
Nafisa
