Celtic step up rebuild as keeper target slips away
O’Neill wants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham retained on take-it-or-leave-it deals, while Efrain Juarez drops out and Gavin Strachan nears West Brom move.
Goalkeeper target De Busser is set for AZ Alkmaar for family reasons despite a £2.5m valuation, leaving Celtic to continue their search to replace Kasper Schmeichel.
O’Neill faces a rebuild as departures mount. Moves mooted for Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, interest in Elijah Just, with keeper, midfield and wide areas priority after Schmeichel retired.
Reo Hatate, omitted from Celtic’s last two squads, is on Kashima Antlers’ radar for a reunion with Toru Oniki after nearly 200 games and nine trophies in Glasgow.
Al-Qadsiah, led by Brendan Rodgers, want an ‘experienced foreign midfielder’, fuelling links to Celtic captain Callum McGregor, who has two years left and is expected to be retained.
Celtic tease an Adidas all-white third kit with green details and ‘Lisbon Lions’ tributes, set for Thursday reveal, following Martin O’Neill’s permanent appointment after the double.
Balikwisha, £5m signing with 14 apps, 0 goals and 1 assist, trains privately to revive his Celtic career. O’Neill sees him as a number 10, ‘definitely not’ a wide player, ahead of pre-season return.
Celtic start title defence v Dundee on 3 Aug, live on Sky. First Old Firm v Rangers at Celtic Park on 20 Sep. Boxing Day v Motherwell, Ibrox on 2 Jan. Champions League play-off in August.
