Martin O'Neill is confident that any future Celtic boss will be delighted with the trio of new contracts he has secured this week. The veteran winger James Forrest, now 34, agreed to a fresh deal on Thursday that will keep him at the club until the conclusion of the next season.
On Friday, the Parkhead side confirmed that Irish centre‑back Liam Scales has signed a new agreement that runs until the summer of 2030, with Celtic retaining an option to extend the deal for an additional year. Meanwhile, midfielder Luke McCowan has committed his future to the club with a contract that lasts until 2028, also featuring a one‑year extension clause at the club's discretion. 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 success on the pitch, his own long‑term future remains uncertain beyond the summer.
Nevertheless, he insists that the club’s proactive approach to securing key players puts any incoming manager in a strong position. When asked whether it might be wiser to allow a new manager to assess the squad before offering fresh contracts, O'Neill acknowledged the point: "I think that's a very good point you make. Absolutely." He then outlined his reasoning, stating that a new manager would likely want to retain the core group, ensure they are fit for the demands of the season, and confirm that they possess the quality required to compete at the highest level. "Take Liam Scales, for example," O'Neill continued.
"He's 27 or 28 now, and his contract was about to expire. You would want to sort that out immediately. We all see that he can perform, so my presence or absence won’t change that fact.
He is good enough to play for Celtic and to keep improving as time goes on. That's how I see it, and more importantly, that's how the club sees it. I'm delighted for Liam and the club." He praised Scales’ contributions this season, noting that while he did not know the player’s form before his own arrival, Scales has been "absolutely outstanding" during O'Neill’s two spells at Celtic and fully deserves the new contract. Turning to James Forrest, O'Neill said the winger essentially "speaks for himself" with his performances.
"He’s been terrific here, a really great player. It doesn’t matter who the manager is; he has worked under a number of coaches and will impress whoever comes in. It’s a no‑brainer." Regarding Luke McCowan, O'Neill highlighted the midfielder’s desire for more regular starts but affirmed that his contributions have been excellent: "Luke has done really well for us.
He would like to start more games if he could, but he’s been excellent." The manager’s comments underline a broader strategy: by locking in key assets now, Celtic can offer stability and continuity to any successor, reducing the risk of a disruptive overhaul in the transfer market. This approach also signals to supporters that the club is committed to maintaining a competitive squad capable of challenging for honours in the coming seasons.
While O'Neill’s own tenure may be temporary, his focus on contract security demonstrates a long‑term vision for Celtic. The three extensions cover a range of experience levels—veteran Forrest, prime‑age defender Scales, and emerging midfielder McCowan—ensuring that the squad retains a blend of leadership, defensive solidity, and midfield dynamism.
Fans can stay updated on further developments, transfer news, and match analysis by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, which offers the latest sports headlines, videos, features, and in‑depth commentary. As the Scottish Premiership race intensifies, Celtic’s proactive contract policy may prove a decisive factor in sustaining momentum toward a domestic double and possibly laying the groundwork for future European ambitions.
In summary, O'Neill believes that securing Forrest, Scales and McCowan on long‑term deals not only rewards their individual contributions but also provides any incoming manager with a solid foundation. By addressing contract expiries now, Celtic avoids the uncertainty that can accompany managerial changes and ensures that the club’s core remains intact, ready to compete at the highest level in Scotland and beyond.