Martin O'Neill is confident that any future Celtic boss will be thrilled with the trio of new contracts he has secured this week. The veteran winger James Forrest, now 34, put pen to paper on Thursday, extending his stay at Celtic until the conclusion of next season.
A day later, the club confirmed that Irish centre‑back Liam Scales has agreed to a fresh deal that locks him in until the summer of 2030, with an additional one‑year option at the club's discretion. Midfielder Luke McCowan also committed his future to the Parkhead side, signing a contract that runs through 2028 and again includes a possible one‑year extension for Celtic.
O'Neill, who is serving his second stint as interim manager after the exits of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, is currently steering the team toward a potential league‑and‑Scottish Cup double. Yet his own future beyond the summer remains uncertain. Despite that, he insists that the club’s proactive approach to securing key players puts Celtic in a stable position, regardless of who takes over the reins. When asked whether it might be wiser to allow a new manager to assess the squad before handing out fresh contracts, O'Neill acknowledged the merit of the suggestion.
“That’s a very good point, absolutely,” he replied. He then outlined three simple criteria that any incoming manager would likely consider: the desire to retain the players, their fitness levels, and their overall quality. "First, the new manager would certainly want to keep these individuals.
Second, they are fit enough to perform the job. Third, they possess the talent required to succeed," O'Neill explained. He used Scales as a case in point, noting that the defender, who is now 27‑28 years old, was approaching the end of his existing contract.
"You’d want to address that now rather than later," O'Neill said, adding that Scales has consistently demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level for Celtic. "His presence, whether I’m here or not, won’t make a huge difference – he’s good enough to play for the club and to keep improving as time goes on. That’s how the club sees it, and I’m delighted for both Liam and Celtic." O'Neill also praised Forrest, describing his contributions as self‑evident.
"James speaks for himself with what he’s achieved. He’s been terrific, a truly great player.
It doesn’t matter who ends up in charge; he’s worked under several managers and will continue to impress whoever arrives. It’s a no‑brainer," he said. Regarding McCowan, O'Neill highlighted the midfielder’s progress and ambition.
"Luke has done really well for us. He’d love more game time, but he’s already been excellent," the interim boss commented, underscoring the player’s potential to become an even more integral part of the squad. Overall, O'Neill’s message was clear: the club’s forward‑looking contract strategy ensures that Celtic retains a core of experienced, fit, and high‑quality players, providing any future manager with a solid foundation to build upon. By locking in Forrest, Scales and McCowan, Celtic not only safeguards its immediate competitive edge but also signals a long‑term commitment to stability and success on the pitch.
While the interim period continues and the search for a permanent head coach unfolds, supporters can take comfort in the knowledge that key members of the squad are tied down for the foreseeable future. This proactive approach, O'Neill believes, will allow the next manager to focus on tactics and results rather than worrying about contract negotiations or potential departures.
In summary, the trio’s new deals reflect Celtic’s determination to maintain continuity and quality within the team. Whether the club ultimately appoints a new permanent manager or O'Neill continues in his interim role, the secured contracts provide a reassuring level of certainty for players, staff, and fans alike.