Celtic

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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At the end of the season, Martin O'Neill cast doubt on his ability to go back to the coalface one more time, but his words were never convincing.

For all his talk of how draining the job is - and that much is beyond dispute - he clearly basks in it.

Arguably, the most difficult part of the role was not the on-field stuff at all - he knows more than anybody how to organise and motivate Celtic players and how to engage with Celtic supporters.

Dealing with the disconnect between sections of the fans and a deeply unpopular board was, obviously, a strain on him until the run-in, when the whole place finally managed to start pointing in the same direction.

The issues that caused the rancour in the first place have not gone away. This is an uneasy truce and it could be broken at any time. O'Neill will know that.

He managed his way through all of that, even when his team were putting in dreary performances.

They did not lack for spirit, though. They had tons of it and the steel O'Neill instilled was the thing that got them over the line in the Premiership and the Scottish Cup.

Appointing O'Neill can only be one part of a bigger jigsaw. Creating a properly functioning and trusted recruitment department is every bit as important. Probably more important, in fact.

READ MORE: O'Neill safest of safe bets as Celtic opt against another gamble

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Martin O'Neill says he will not "rest on past success" as he calls on Celtic to "drive forward together" after being confirmed as manager on a permanent basis.

The Northern Irishman has penned a one-year deal, with the option of a further season, after guiding the team to a league and cup double last term.

He says it is "a great privilege" to continue in his role and adds that a triumphant end to last campaign has made him hungry for more at the age of 74.

The legendary Celtic manager continued: "Last season will live long in all our memories and to be part of that success has in a big way whetted the appetite to work again for more days like those and bring our supporters those moments.

"Of course, none of this could have been achieved without the players and staff and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for bringing that level of focus, determination and talent to bear at the conclusion of the season to deliver the league and cup double.

"I would particularly like to thank the board for asking me back and giving me this opportunity again.

"We know of course that Celtic can never rest on past success so we are now aiming to drive forward together in the coming season as we aim to deliver again for the club and our fans.

"I thank our fans for their ongoing support, it means everything to us. I look forward to being back at Celtic Park next season when we will come together and we will strive again to bring our fans the success which that support deserves."

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Celtic's hierarchy have shared their delight following the news that Martin O'Neill has been confirmed as first-team manager on a permanent basis.

The 74-year-old guided the side to a Scottish Premiership title triumph and a Scottish Cup success in two interim spells last term.

Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham assisted O'Neill last campaign, but there is no mention of either coach in the Parkhead club's statement amid reports agreements are yet to be reached.

Celtic's principal shareholder Dermot Desmond: "Time and time again Martin has shown his qualities and what he can bring to Celtic.

"We know he is a winner, we know what the club means to him and he continues to be the outstanding candidate to give us the best opportunity to realise our objectives.

"He knows the demands at Celtic and I know how determined he is again to bring success to the club and to our supporters.

"The club will support Martin fully again across the close season to make sure we are well prepared to achieve domestic success and compete on the European stage."

Celtic interim chairman Brian Wilson: "I warmly welcome Martin's re-appointment and look forward to more of the same leadership, inspiration and success he has delivered for the club.

"The achievements which he and the team secured in the season just gone have created a great platform for the one that lies ahead.

"This is the start of a busy summer and we will ensure that we are in the best possible position to compete, with Martin back at the helm."

Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson: "We are really pleased to keep Martin as manager. His knowledge and experience proved vital to us last season and we know his leadership will be hugely important to us going forward.

"He is someone who continues to deliver, who knows how to win and a manager we have absolute confidence in to once again drive the team through the next period.

"We have important challenges ahead and the immediate priority of everyone at the club is to ensure we are ready to tackle these with confidence and deliver success again for our supporters."

Martin O'Neill has been confirmed as Celtic manager on a permanent basis after leading the team to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double

The 74-year-old has agreed to stay at Parkhead on a one-year contract with the option for a further year.

Now the news is confirmed, what should his priorities be this summer?

Send us your thoughts to have your say.

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.

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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."

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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

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Former 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.

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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

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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.

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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

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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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

Friday's Scottish gossip