Celtic in 2031: What Our Team Looks Like

With everything going on at Celtic just now, from the European disappointment to the frustration around recruitment and the questions being asked about the direction of the club, I think it is worth looking a bit further ahead for fun.

With FM27 coming out soon, I wanted to look at what Celtic looks like five seasons into an FM26 save. To be clear, this isn’t me predicting who we will sign or claiming this is what our real squad will look like in five years. This is what the game has produced in 2031/32.

And, to be honest, there are a few things about this team that I quite like.

Kieran McKenna is in charge, Callum McGregor is captain, and we have a mixture of academy graduates, familiar faces and some interesting signings. It is the sort of squad that makes you wonder what Celtic could look like if we get recruitment right and give young players a proper chance.

The Starting XI

GK – Gavin Bazunu (29)

The Republic of Ireland international is the man between the sticks. At 29, he is in his prime as a goalkeeper and gives us a solid option behind the defence.

RB – Colby Donovan (25)

I like seeing Donovan established in the team. There is something satisfying about an academy graduate making the position his own and staying at the club during his prime.

CB – Dane Murray (28)

Murray has become a dependable centre-back (a different story in real life currently). It would be great to see one of our own come through the system and establish himself. 

CB – Oskar Wojcik (27)

The Polish defender adds strength and presence at the back, complementing Murray and giving the defence a different profile. Interestingly he was linked with Celtic this summer.

LB – Kieran Tierney (34) – Captain

Tierney is still at Celtic, still playing left-back and, most importantly, wearing the armband with McGregor on the bench. I would love to see that. There are few players who understand what Celtic means quite like Tierney, and having him captain the team five years down the line feels right.

CM – Sean McArdle (24)

Another academy graduate who has made the step up. McArdle brings energy to the midfield and although we have only seen glimpses, this seems realistic. 

CM – Aster Vranckx (29)

The Belgian midfielder gives us some much-needed physicality and quality in the middle of the park. It seems we have finally found our wanyama replacement 15 years later!

LW – Ben Doak (26)

Doak is in this team. I had to have a second glance when I saw it. Given the questions around his game time currently, it is interesting to imagine a future where he returns to Scotland and becomes a major player for Celtic.

CAM – Liam Kennedy (22)

Kennedy is one of the younger faces in the team and provides the creativity behind the striker. He has been on the bench for Europa league matches recently. 

RW – Adrian Blake (26)

Blake, another player who we were linked with in the summer gives us pace, direct running and someone who can beat a defender. He feels like the sort of signing Celtic should be looking at: a player with room to develop, rather than another expensive name who does not necessarily fit the team.

ST – Callum Osmand (25)

Osmand leads the line. Five seasons into the save, he has developed into the main striker and gives Celtic a focal point in attack.

The Bench

Viljami Sinisalo (29) – A familiar face providing competition and dependable cover in goal.

Alistair Johnston (32) – Johnston is still here and remains a useful option when Donovan needs a rest but can’t seem to displace him.

Luke Graham (27) – Currently at Stoke City in real life, he’s found himself back in Scotland.

Joseph Haney (22) – The young left-back who currently is at the club who made a few appearances in pre-season

Jacob Devaney (24) – The sort of young Irish midfielder I would like Celtic to keep an eye on. He has come through Manchester United’s academy and is gaining senior experience in Scotland currently with Hibs. 

Zion Pullan (20) – One of Celtic’s best young attacking prospects. If he continues to develop, he could be an exciting option to bring off the bench.

Lucas Clearie (22) – Another academy prospect who has made it into the senior squad currently.

Daizen Maeda (33) – Back at the club! Still bringing energy and relentless pressing out wide. Even at this age.

Callum McGregor (38) – Still playing at this stage of the save, his experience and understanding of Celtic make him a valuable option in midfield but he has finally made his way onto the bench. 

Kieran McKenna’s Celtic

What I like about this squad is the mixture of youth and experience. Tierney is captain, Donovan and Murray have established themselves, and academy players such as McArdle and Kennedy have become important members of the first team.

Of course, this is Football Manager, and anyone who has played a long save knows how quickly things can change. Players develop differently, transfers happen and sometimes the game throws up a wonderkid you have never heard of.

But that is the fun of it.

With FM27 coming out soon, I am looking forward to seeing what the next game brings for Celtic. For now, this is what FM26 has produced in 2031/32: Kieran McKenna in the dugout, Kieran Tierney wearing the armband, and a team built around a mixture of academy talent and sensible recruitment.

If only getting the real Celtic squad to look this balanced was as straightforward as it is on Football Manager.