Celtic and Rangers Face Pivotal Summer Decisions

Celtic and Rangers stand on the brink of another pivotal summer, with key decisions looming on the touchline, in defence and across midfield as transfer interest intensifies on both sides of Glasgow.

Celtic juggle arrivals, departures and a veteran at the helm

Celtic’s recruitment department has moved early. The club have made contact with Brondby over the availability of Benjamin Tahirovic, the 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder. It is an ambitious target, one that fits the board’s familiar profile: young, with upside, and a potential asset in Europe as well as domestically.

While one midfielder is being lined up, another finds himself in demand. Arne Engels, 22, is drawing serious attention from England, with Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland all stepping up their interest. The prospect of a Premier League move, or a sizeable Championship project, places Celtic in a familiar position: weighing immediate squad needs against the lure of a substantial fee for a developing player.

There is also a warning from within the club’s own history. Jackie McNamara believes Celtic should brace themselves for offers for Alistair Johnston. The Canada right-back, 27, has become a mainstay and a fan favourite, the sort of dependable presence that attracts suitors in the current market. McNamara’s view is clear: a player of Johnston’s consistency will not go unnoticed for long.

McNamara has also reserved praise for the man steering the ship. Martin O'Neill, who guided Celtic to a domestic double last season despite a punishing injury list, continues to command admiration for the way he held the squad together. That resilience may be needed again. O’Neill, 74, has been spotted at Glasgow Airport and is expected to remain in charge next season, providing rare continuity at a time when many rivals are ripping up and restarting.

One player, though, looks set to move on. Stephen Welsh is closing in on a switch to Swansea City. Out of contract after his loan spell with Motherwell, the 26-year-old centre-back has agreed a two-year deal, with the Championship club holding an option for a further year. It is a fresh start for Welsh and a reminder that Celtic’s defensive reshaping is not just about marquee signings, but about trimming and turning over the squad’s depth.

Rangers plot life after Tavernier and fend off suitors

Across the city, Rangers are preparing for a summer that could redefine their back line.

The club have shown concrete interest in Bryan Reynolds, with Westerlo open to a transfer as the 24-year-old enters the final year of his contract. The Belgian side still want a windfall from any sale, but the door is open. For Rangers, Reynolds is not just another name on a list. The United States international, who missed out on their World Cup squad, is one of several options being assessed as they look to replace James Tavernier at right-back.

Replacing a captain and set-piece specialist of Tavernier’s influence is no small task. Reynolds brings athleticism and a different profile, and his age suggests room to grow into the role rather than simply fill it.

In midfield, Rangers are hovering around a situation that could turn into a three-way Championship battle. Hull City are weighing up a move for Dan Neil, with Middlesbrough also keen on the 24-year-old. Neil has already held discussions with Rangers as he exits Sunderland, underlining how seriously the Ibrox club view his potential. Whether they can outmanoeuvre ambitious English clubs for his signature will say a lot about their pulling power this summer.

At the back, there is also the matter of Jack Butland. The 33-year-old goalkeeper has attracted interest from Premier League clubs willing to bring him in as a back-up option. Rangers’ stance is firm: they have no plans to sell. Given Butland’s influence and reliability, it would take more than a casual enquiry to alter that position.

Leicester look to Martin after drop to League One

Away from Scotland, another story with a Glasgow thread is developing in England.

Leicester are in talks with Russell Martin about taking over as head coach following their relegation to League One. The former Southampton and Rangers boss is being considered as the man to lead a rebuild at the King Power Stadium after a bruising campaign. His possession-based approach, honed in previous posts, would mark a clear stylistic statement from a club trying to plot a way back up the ladder.

Celtic refining a title-winning squad, Rangers reshaping a defence and midfield, Leicester courting a manager with Ibrox in his past: the pieces are moving early. The question now is which of these plans will still look bold, and which will look reckless, when the season starts to bite.