Martin O'Neill insists that any future Celtic boss would be thrilled with the three fresh contract extensions he has secured this week. The seasoned manager highlighted the importance of stability and continuity as the club prepares for the final stages of the season. The first signing announced was veteran winger James Forrest, who put pen to paper on Thursday.
The 34‑year‑old will now remain at Celtic until the conclusion of the 2024‑25 campaign, adding another year of experience to the squad’s attacking options. A day later, Celtic confirmed that Irish centre‑back Liam Scales had agreed to a new deal that locks him in until the summer of 2030. The agreement also includes a club‑held option to extend the contract for an additional season, giving the Parkhead side flexibility to retain the defender well beyond his current term.
The third addition to the list of extensions was midfielder Luke McCowan, who signed a contract that runs through 2028, again with an optional extra year at Celtic’s discretion. The trio of renewals demonstrates O’Neill’s commitment to keeping a core group of players in place while the club eyes a possible league and Scottish Cup double. O’Neill, who is serving his second stint as interim manager after the exits of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, has been clear that his own future beyond the summer remains uncertain. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that the club’s proactive approach to securing key personnel will leave any incoming manager in a strong position.
When asked whether it might be wiser to let a new coach assess the squad before offering fresh contracts, O’Neill acknowledged the point but argued that the timing was appropriate. “That’s a very good observation, absolutely,” he said. “A new manager will certainly want to know which players are available, whether they’re fit and whether they have the quality to deliver results.” He went on to illustrate his reasoning with specific examples. “Take Liam Scales, for instance – he’s approaching 28 and his current deal is about to expire.
You’d want to sort that out now rather than waiting until the last minute.” O’Neill added that the defender’s performances have left no doubt about his value: “We all see that Liam can deliver, so my presence or absence won’t change that. He’s good enough for the club and will only get better with time.” Speaking about Forrest, O’Neill praised the winger’s consistency: “James essentially speaks for himself. He’s been terrific, a real asset to the team, and it doesn’t matter who takes over – he’s worked under several managers and will continue to impress whoever arrives.” He described the decision to extend Forrest’s contract as a “no‑brainer,” emphasizing the winger’s professionalism and impact on the pitch.
Regarding McCowan, the interim boss highlighted the midfielder’s desire for more playing time: “Luke has done really well for us. He’d love to start more games, and he’s been excellent when called upon.” O’Neill believes that retaining McCowan will give the next manager additional options in the middle of the park. Overall, O’Neill’s message was clear: the club has taken decisive steps to safeguard its future by locking in three players who have proven their worth. He expressed genuine delight for both the individuals and the organization: “I’m delighted for Liam and the club.
He’s deserved the contract in front of him. The same goes for James and Luke – they’ve earned their extensions through hard work and quality performances.” While the interim period continues, Celtic supporters can take comfort in the knowledge that the squad’s backbone is now secured for several more seasons.
The new deals not only reward the players’ contributions but also provide a solid foundation for any incoming manager to build upon, whether the goal is to chase domestic silverware or to make a mark in European competition. In summary, Martin O’Neill believes that the proactive contract strategy will leave Celtic in safe hands, regardless of who ultimately takes the helm. By ensuring that key figures like Forrest, Scales and McCowan remain at the club, Celtic can focus on on‑field success without the distraction of looming contract negotiations.
This forward‑looking approach, O’Neill argues, will make the job of any future manager considerably easier and set the stage for continued achievement at Celtic Park.