Martin O'Neill is confident that any future Celtic boss would be delighted with the three contract renewals he has secured this week. The veteran Scottish club has locked down key members of its squad, ensuring continuity regardless of who takes charge after the current interim period. The first signing was veteran winger James Forrest, who agreed to a fresh deal on Thursday. The 34‑year‑old will now remain at Celtic until the conclusion of next season, providing the team with experience on the flank and a reliable option in attack.

On Friday the club announced that Irish centre‑back Liam Scales had also signed a new contract. Scales’ agreement runs until the summer of 2030, with Celtic retaining an option to extend the deal for an additional year.

The long‑term commitment signals the club’s belief in his defensive abilities and his potential to be a mainstay in the back line for years to come. The third extension came for midfielder Luke McCowan, who has committed his future to the Parkhead side until 2028. As with the other deals, Celtic holds an option to add another year to his contract, giving the club flexibility while rewarding a player who has shown steady progress and versatility in the midfield.

O'Neill, who is serving his second stint as interim manager after the exits of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, is currently steering Celtic toward a possible league and Scottish Cup double. Despite the on‑field ambitions, his own future beyond the summer remains uncertain. Nevertheless, he insists that the club’s proactive approach to securing player contracts puts Celtic in a strong position, regardless of who eventually assumes the permanent managerial role.

When asked whether it might be wiser to allow a new manager to evaluate the squad before offering fresh contracts, O'Neill acknowledged the point, saying, "I think that's a very good point you make. Absolutely." He went on to outline three simple criteria a successor would consider: the desire to retain the players, their fitness levels, and their quality. "One, the new manager would certainly want these players.

Two, are they fit enough to do the job? Yes. Three, are they good enough to do the job?

Absolutely," he affirmed. Discussing Scales specifically, O'Neill noted the defender’s age—27 or 28, depending on the source—and the fact that his contract was nearing its end. "You would want to act now," O'Neill said, emphasizing that waiting could jeopardise the club’s ability to keep a player of Scales’ calibre. He added that his own presence, whether on the touchline or in the dugout, would not significantly alter Scales’ performance, underscoring the player’s intrinsic quality.

"Liam has shown he can perform at the required level, and I don’t think my involvement will change that," O'Neill explained. "He is good enough for Celtic now and will only improve with time.

That’s how the club sees him, and I share that view. I’m delighted for Liam and for Celtic.

He has proven himself this season. In my two spells here he has been outstanding, and he fully deserves the contract he’s been offered." Turning to Forrest, O'Neill said the winger essentially “speaks for himself” with his contributions. "He’s been terrific, a great player who has performed under several managers.

Whoever comes in will be pleased with his work – it’s a no‑brainer," O'Neill remarked, suggesting that Forrest’s consistency makes him a valuable asset no matter who is in charge. Regarding McCowan, O'Neill praised the midfielder’s development and expressed a desire to see him feature more regularly. "Luke has done really well for us.

He’d love more starts, and he’s been excellent when given the chance," O'Neill said, highlighting the player’s eagerness to grow and his positive impact when on the pitch. Overall, O'Neill’s message was clear: the club has taken decisive steps to secure its core players, providing stability and a solid foundation for any incoming manager. By locking in Forrest, Scales and McCowan on long‑term deals, Celtic ensures that the new boss will inherit a squad with experience, talent and the right attitude to compete for titles.

The proactive contract strategy, according to O'Neill, removes a major source of uncertainty and allows the focus to remain on achieving success on the field.