Celtic plan 'huge' signing spree as incoming manager gets board’s backing

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(Credit: Getty Images) Sat 23 May 2026 20:45, UK Celtic‘s board know that they need to back their new manager and spend more in the summer transfer window to avoid more fan unrest and poor performances in Europe.It looked for all the world like Celtic were going to miss out on a fifth successive Premiership title until they beat Hearts in a season-deciding clash last weekend.They will now enter the Champions League play-offs in August, and have the small matter of appointing a new manager before the summer window opens.As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, the Hoops’ board are keen to back whoever their new boss will be with sufficient funds to avoid another season like 2025-26.Celtic’s transfer plans will also be dictated by the appointment of a new Director of Football, with most of their key business likely to take place towards the end of the window. 🔄 Celtic Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on latest signings, departures, and contract news from the Parkhead boardroom. VISIT THE CELTIC TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Celtic owners to make big changes as new manager given better budgetCeltic are operating without a clear link between the board and the manager right now, after Paul Tisdale was relieved of his Head of Football Operations duties in January 2026.Many supporters have been angered by their lack of big signings in transfer windows gone by, but that looks set to change with the introduction of a new manager and era at Parkhead.PlayerSigned fromFeeSebastian TounektiHammarby£5.2mMichel-Ange BalikwishaRoyal Antwerp£4.5mShin YamadaKawasaki Frontale£1.5mBenjamin NygrenNordsjaelland£1.7mJunior AdamuFreiburgLoan fee: £430,000Hayato InamuraAlbirex Niigata£250,000Celtic’s signings that cost a transfer fee in 2025-26Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “We have spoken countless times about how it is going to be a huge summer for Celtic.“They’re looking to bring in a new director of football, we still don’t know what is going to happen with the manager, and obviously there was a lot of unrest in the last couple of windows with fans unhappy that the board didn’t put their hands in their pockets and sign more players.“The squad, despite winning the league, still needs a massive overhaul for me.

So I would expect Celtic to be busy and money will need to be spent to strengthen that squad.”Who are the leading candidates to be Celtic’s next boss?Celtic are expected to accelerate their plan to appoint a new manager now that their season has officially ended after a Scottish Cup final victory against Dunfermline.Veteran interim boss O’Neill has repeatedly insisted that he does not want to continue in the Parkhead dugout beyond this campaign, but a longer stay can not be ruled out quite yet.Sources have exclusively told Football Insider that Celtic want to appoint Roberto Martinez as their next manager, but he will not be available until after he takes Portugal to the World Cup.Martinez is currently priced as the 2/1 second-favourite to be the next Bhoys boss with a top UK bookmaker, with Robbie Keane at evens after he left Ferencvaros, while Craig Bellamy (3/1) and Kjetil Knutsen (6/1) are among other apparent candidates.