Martin O’Neill has revealed he is contributing to plans aimed at strengthening Celtic’s long-term future, while stressing that ultimate authority over key decisions remains with the board…
The interim manager expressed his satisfaction after Liam Scales and Luke McCowan agreed new contracts, following on from James Forrest’s recent extension.
Scales has signed on until 2030, while McCowan has committed his future to the club through to 2028.
O’Neill – who is due to step aside at the conclusion of the campaign – believes the trio of renewals were straightforward choices given their value to the squad.
However, with no permanent manager appointed, O’Neill acknowledged supporter concerns over who will have the final say as Celtic prepare for a significant overhaul in the months ahead.
Martin O’Neill at Ibrox. theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Speaking via Daily Record, O’Neill said: “The final call would, I think, always would come from the board. They have to finance the things, but I’m quite sure that they would be listening to perhaps myself, Shaun, Mark Fotheringham and the coaching staff. I think that’s the point.”
“If you’re attending the football matches week in, week out, both home and away, as a number of the board members do, I think they would see a reason for taking these people on.”
“Liam Scales is a very, very capable centre-back, who can also play left-back if Kieran’s not fit. So I thought that that would be relatively okay to do that.”
Liam Scales celebrates after Celtic won the Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Celtic’s recruitment team have begun identifying targets across various markets as preparations continue for the next transfer window, with O’Neill also assessing potential options for his eventual successor.
Despite that groundwork being carried out, the board are expected to delay any major financial commitments on players until a permanent manager is installed.
Luke McCowan scores during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
O’Neill added: “Let’s say you’re looking abroad at a player and that he’s going to cost you a reasonable amount of money. I think that’s where you could have a difference, particularly if I’m outgoing.”
“If I thought somebody was decent, but it’s going to cost let’s say 5 million euros, I think that’s where the board would be quite right to say, ‘Well, wait a minute. Hold on, that’s a different issue. Let’s spend some money on someone that a new manager may not take in?’
“So that’s something that hasn’t got to that. We’re looking at a lot of players, but it’s not got to that stage. I’d like to minimise my influence in these things, because I have a minimal influence on events here.”
James Forrest during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
“But what I’m saying is that I don’t think that that’s big. If you were talking about players coming from abroad, you could put them into [a different category]. We will have to try and act relatively quickly on players.”
Conor Spence
Click to join Celtic Pools
Not to surprising that MoN is already having an input, within the planning process for next season already imo?
3 extended contracts, for which 2 would help with our homegrown quota requirements, isn’t of any real surprise?
Only really adding a small bit of stability within the squad building process, which is going to be tested to max levels during the summer period?
MoN possibly already knows, just how many players haven’t got a future with ourselves. Whether that’s players wanting to move on, or regarded as not good enough for ourselves, is irrelevant, with the amount of players involved, which is way too high for our liking imo?
At present, we have 7 midfield options available. We are currently looking at McCowan as the only certainty for next season?
And this was meant to be our strongest areas at the start of this season?
Even today, within our 20man match day squad, MoN usually goes with 5 midfield options, so has McCowan jumped ahead of Hatate now? Especially as Paulo has turned into the forgotten man this season?
Not much better in our attacking areas either, but at least a few for any new manager to work with?
So is MoN thinking of using players who have more intentions of being here next season, for this run in?
Could well be looking at players he can trust moreso, especially if they have that extra desire to gain the results, we require?
Couldn’t really blame him if he decides to take such an approach imo?