Site Staff 
With then interim manager (despite returning twice to save the board’s blushes) Martin O’Neill giving the Celtic faithful something to cheer about at the end of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership campaign as we eventually lifted yet another top flight title, it has been a bit of a mixed summer so far.
Whilst plenty will have enjoyed cheering on the national teams efforts at this summers World Cup tournament which was triple hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, many others will have kept their attentions trained firmly on Parkhead and what was happening behind the scenes of the club.
For fans who like a flutter on their football, and as many Irish betting sites may have predicted, the serial winner appeared to have some hiccups with his own permanent deal, and then there was a coaching staff snafu but with those all finally done and dusted real preparations for the year ahead could begin properly. One of the biggest headaches we quickly seemed to have was that a number of players had presumably had enough (how much off pitch issues effected that will probably continue to be unknown) and Monny had been diligently dealing with that, but it sounds like he is now resigned to the fact that moves will need to be arranged.
Leading the departures will be key attacker Daizen Maeda. The 28 year old, 30 capped Japanese international striker, has had a fantastic time with us since joining from Yokohama F Marinos back in 2022 and it is being claimed on the speculation rumour mill than he will be heading south of the border for the English Premier League. He is of course in the final year of his existing contract now after a move to German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg fell down last year.
O’Neill has stated that his preference would be for him to run his contract down, but he expects the player to move on and the club to take the chance to cash in whilst the opportunity is there.
Versatile right sided 22 year old Arne Engels also looks set to depart for pastures new with the four capped Belgian international already having been the subject of a reported £25 million offer from Nottingham Forest on winter deadline day. Despite the transfer window speculation it does not seem there is an offer on the table right now, but we are certainly expecting one (or more) to be shortly again.
The gaffer also confirmed that 28 year old fellow Japanese international midfielder Reo Hatate would also likely be moving on this summer, as after falling somewhat out of favour the 11 capped playmaker has already stated that he would now like a new challenge. A deal on that front is not yet guaranteed from his words, but it is being planned for, although he was quick to say he would be delighted if he remained with us after the window slammed shut.
Finally we have Swedish World Cup star Benjamin Nygren. The 25 year old, 15 capped international attacker helped himself to 21 goals across all competitions in his debut year with us, and obviously that has attracted attention from elsewhere. We are not active or open sellers when it comes to him, but again O’Neill is mindful that something could well happen in the next few weeks.
Hardly ideal season preparation, but if everyone is on the same page at least we can plan for eventualities and then enjoy a far more stable 12 months ahead.
Image Source: unsplash.com
Eric Knott 
