GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 28: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill during a Celtic MD-1 press conference at the Lennoxtown Training Centre, on January 28, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Just before the shell of the Celtic first team returned for pre-season training this morning the club issued a statement.
As we have been told repeatedly by Brian Wilson and Michael Nicholson the club is looking to improve communications and fan engagement.
Now 33 days after last season ended the club published the briefest of statements.
Typically it raised more questions than answers.
In midweek a tweet reply confirmed that Gavin Strachan had left his coaching role for West Brom.
Today’s statement made no mention of a replacement for Strachan who has been involved with the first team for six years.
Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus were mentioned without any specific role.
Perhaps the club website could help? Not for Fotheringham who has yet to achieve the dizzy heights of a listing on the Celtic website.
It appears that speculation over the coaching staff has forced the club into striking deals with last season’s coaches. Except Strachan.
CELTIC- WHAT IS THE SET UP?
There is no mention of who is Assistant Manager and who is the first team coach.
Maloney has been linked with a variety of jobs at the club, none that he has previous experience of.
A year ago the former Hibs and Wigan manager was appointed as the Head of Professional Pathways. A grand title aimed at developing Academy prospects into first team players.
Celtic did strike a Co-Operation arrangement with Ayr United but not with any First or Second Division clubs.
Jude Bonnar, Kyle Ure and Francis Turley went on loan to the Championship side. While getting some experience it is unlikely that any will be forcing their way into the Celtic first team.
On July 7 we will get a first look at how Celtic 26/27 are likely to look when they face Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Until then there is unlikely to be much content from the club. Not even updates on Kelechi Iheanacho or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Fans will be left to try and piece together social media posts to find out what is going on inside Celtic.
Can’t wait for the last few hours of the final day Summer transfer ‘Mork and Mindy ? ‘ A veritable bee hive of last hours activity from the board attempting to prove to the fans that the ‘get it and care deeply !’ The massive problem there is that most players and agents tuning into the Celtic FC debacle at boardroom level most probably would not want to be associated or seen at Celtic Park ..under any circumstances ? And really who could blame them for adopting that attitude ? Would you buy a used car off any of those cowpoke snake oil sales reps ? Not me ….????
I have it, on very good authority, that Clubs and Agents , treat us differently because of our miserable penny pinching… and our attitude in general….Who would have thought that ?
With the unnecessary, ridiculous, extended uncertainty around the re-appointment of the
Double-winning manager and coaches,
the release of all the loan players together with the lack of any signings,
and with pre-season kicking off today…
it’s probably reasonable to surmise that the club is not a happy place to be just now?
And it’s all self-inflicted.
Crazy.
Better late than never but still rank amateur all the same !