Celtic is set for a major squad overhaul this summer, according to Martin OâNeill. Significant player departures and a rebuild are expected as several loanees return and key players may be sold.
Celtic facing major squad overhaul this summer says Martin OâNeill
OâNeill expects significant movement at Celtic Park, with a number of players likely to depart as the club prepares for a huge rebuild.
Several loanees are set to return to their parent clubs, while players such as Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels could be sold to help finance the rebuild. Fringe players â including Maik Nawrocki, Luis Palma and Johnny Kenny â are also due back for pre-season training at Lennoxtown, adding to the likelihood of a clear-out.
OâNeill â who is anticipated to step away from his current role â admitted he had underestimated the scale of the changes needed.
Spirit of â86 â Celtic teamâs welcome to Paradise. Saturday 25 April 2026. Celtic v Falkirk. Scottish Premiership. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Speaking via Daily Record, OâNeill said:
Several players, including Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels, are expected to be sold, along with fringe players returning for pre-season.
The overhaul is part of a significant rebuild to improve the team's performance and financial stability.
Martin OâNeill is a former manager of Celtic, and he has provided insights on the club's upcoming changes and player movements.
The changes are aimed at revitalizing the team and enhancing competitiveness in upcoming seasons.
Borussia Dortmund's academy has successfully integrated young talents like Luca Reggiani and Samuele Inacio into the first team, showcasing a commitment to youth development. Academy director Paul Schaffran emphasizes the hope this brings to the club's future.
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âOf course weâve got some players here that other teams in big leagues will probably want. And thatâs something to consider. But if youâre talking about players coming back from loans and stuff like this here, who maybe have another two years to run, those things might be difficult.
âSo it is, yeah. I suppose the last thing that those players want to do is having been out on loan, then going back out on loan again. Either they want something permanent or they want to feel as if they could do the job here.
âThe answer is I havenât seen those players. So I should really be looking at what they can do. But I honestly havenât at the time at this minute.â
OâNeill also confirmed, as reported on The Celtic Star earlier this morning, Â that Daizen Maeda rejected a contract extension back in August and reiterated that Wolfsburg were interested in signing the Japanese forward in the summer window.
Daizen Maeda opens the scoring during Celticâs 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The Celtic manager indicated that unless the Daizen Maeda puts pen to paper on a new deal this summer, he may move on to help fund the significant squad rebuild at Celtic this summer. OâNeill was asked about the possibility of a new contract being agree with the Japanese talisman.
Heâs got one more year,â Martin OâNeill pointed out via The Herald. âThat would be something [new contract]the club, and he would have to be talking about.
âIf he didnât want to stay any longer, then that would be a choice for the football club to try and sell him with a year left to run. I just assume that would be the normal thing.
Daizen Maeda celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
âBut heâs come back to a bit of form, which is great. And Iâll look short-term at this minute and see how he can cope with the next five games.â
âI think there were contract talks with him⊠was it last August time or was it the time before that? I do know that there were talks and there was a contract in front of him, which he didnât sign at the time,â Martin OâNeill said.
âI donât know the position now. Wolfsburg were coming in for him and it didnât materialise. I think obviously he became a bit despondent because it was a chance for him to play in the Bundesliga.
âSo that didnât happen. Maybe his head was all over the place for a while, but he has certainly settled down. âBut in terms of whatâs happening in the future, I donât know.â
Conor Spence
Daizen Maeda celebrates during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
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