The race to become Celtic’s next permanent manager has intensified, with two iconic figures from the club’s past emerging as the leading contenders. Former treble-winning boss Martin O’Neill and ex-striker Robbie Keane are locked in a high-stakes battle for the Parkhead hot seat. Major shareholder Dermot Desmond has already held discussions with Keane, while the board was reportedly set to meet the Irishman on Monday evening, positioning him as the frontrunner. The appointment will shape Celtic’s direction after a season of transition.
O’Neill’s credentials need little introduction in Glasgow. The 72-year-old guided Celtic to multiple Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups, and a UEFA Cup final during his glittering first spell between 2000 and 2005. His return would be a nostalgic move, tapping into a proven formula that brought domestic dominance and European credibility. However, O’Neill has been out of club management for some time, most recently taking on international roles, raising questions about his appetite for a daily grind.
Keane, 44, represents a modern, forward-thinking alternative. The Republic of Ireland legend enjoyed a brief but memorable loan spell at Celtic in 2010, scoring 16 goals and endearing himself to fans. After retiring, he cut his coaching teeth with the Irish national team and most recently led Ferencvaros to the Hungarian title before stepping down. His proposed backroom team is already generating talk: Stephen Glass (his Ferencvaros assistant), club captain Scott Brown, and current youth coach Jonny Hayes would form a Celtic-minded technical staff designed to blend passion with fresh ideas.
Whoever lands the role will face immediate squad decisions. Midfielder Arne Engels has signaled a desire to leave, joining a new agency to facilitate a transfer. AC Milan and several Premier League clubs are monitoring the 22-year-old, whose potential sale could fund a rebuild. Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future hangs in the balance—his fiancee Perrie Edwards has publicly hoped Celtic will trigger a one-year extension for the former Liverpool man, but no decision has been confirmed.
Out wide, the Luis Palma saga rumbles on. Celtic have stood firm, rejecting Lech Poznan’s attempt to lower an agreed £3.5m purchase option to around £2.6m. The Polish side has a week to activate the clause, but Sevilla are now circling, potentially leading to a bidding war. Palma’s departure would thin Celtic’s wing options, already light with Jota and Liel Abada gone in recent windows.
In defensive areas, there is at least some clarity: teenage right-back Colby Donovan remains under contract until 2028, ending speculation of an early exit. His development could be key if Celtic opt to promote from within during the new manager’s first summer.
Beyond Glasgow, Hearts are moving swiftly in the transfer market. The Tynecastle club has agreed a fee with Falkirk for winger Calvin Miller, with a medical set to finalize the deal. They are also closing on Rouen forward Amadou Ba-Sy, a 24-year-old who could add physicality and goals to a side that has often lacked a cutting edge. These moves suggest manager Steven Naismith—or any incoming boss—is keen to reshape the attack early.
Dundee United’s Will Ferry is attracting cross-border interest after an impressive campaign. The Tannadice club has knocked back an offer worth £900,000 and insists on a seven-figure fee, with sides from Slovakia and the Czech Republic monitoring. Losing Ferry would be a blow, but the demand reflects his growing reputation.
Elsewhere, Falkirk are set to bring in Latvian centre-back Denniss Melniks as a free agent, Hibernian striker Owen Elding has revealed he rejected bigger clubs for guaranteed game time, and Aberdeen’s Kjartan Mar Kjartansson could head out on loan. Bojan Miovski has not ruled out leaving Rangers this summer, determined to start more games, while Wolfsburg’s interest in Danny Rohl has reportedly cooled. Even the managerial carousel involves former SPFL figures: Estoril’s Ian Cathro is a wanted man.
With the window approaching its peak, the coming weeks promise to deliver concrete answers to these swirling stories. Celtic’s board faces the most pivotal choice: a gamble on the untested Keane or a reunion with the steady hand of O’Neill. For now, the gossip machine churns on, fueled by ambition, contracts, and the relentless quest for an edge in Scottish football’s top flight.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.