Football Apr 29, 2026

Martin O'Neill: Any Celtic boss would be happy James Forrest, Liam Scales and Luke McCowan have signed new deals

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Martin O'Neill: Any Celtic boss would be happy James Forrest, Liam Scales and Luke McCowan have signed new deals

Martin O'Neill believes any potential new Celtic manager would be pleased with the triple contract extensions he has overseen this week.

Veteran winger , keeping the 34-year-old on until the end of next season.

The Parkhead club announced on Friday that Irish defender Liam Scales signed a new contract which will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2030, with Celtic having an option to extend for a further year.

Midfielder Luke McCowan has signed a new deal until 2028, again with Celtic taking the option to extend for another year.

O'Neill is in his second spell as interim manager this season after the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy and while he chases a league and Scottish Cup double, there remains some uncertainty around him staying on beyond the summer.

However he is confident that, regardless, "proactive" Celtic are in safe hands with their new deals.

Asked if it would not be better to let any new manager have a look at the players first before any new contracts were offered, he said: "I think that's a very good point you make. Absolutely.

"I think that the new manager coming in, one; would accept that he would definitely want these players. Two; are they fit enough to do the job? Yes.

"Three; are they good enough to do the job? Absolutely.

"Let's say Liam Scales, he's 27, 28 years of age, his contract is running down at this minute. I think you'd want to do something about it now.

"We all see that Liam Scales can do it so I don't think that my presence either here or there is going to make a big difference. That's how I see it.

"I just think that he is good enough to play for the football club. Good enough to improve as well too as time goes on. That's probably how I'd see it and more importantly, I think that's how the club see it.

"I'm delighted for Liam and the club.

"He certainly proved himself this season. I don't know what he was like before I came in, but in my two spells here he's been absolutely outstanding.

"He's deserved the contract in front of him.

"James, in that sense, speaks for himself really, with what he has done.

"He's been terrific here, he's been a really great player. It doesn't matter who's going to be the manager, he's worked under quite a number. And I'm sure he will impress whoever's coming in at the end of it all so that is one, what's that phrase - a no-brainer?

"I genuinely think whoever was going to come in would enjoy working with those players.

"Luke has done really well for us. He would like to start more games if he could. But he's been excellent."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Brentford 3-0 West Ham: Hammers suffer damaging defeat to give Tottenham chance to move out of Premier League relegation zone

Brentford 3-0 West Ham: Hammers suffer damaging defeat to give Tottenham chance to move out of Premier League relegation zone

West Ham have presented Tottenham with the opportunity to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone after suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat at Bre...

Ipswich Town 3-0 QPR: Tractor Boys promoted back to Premier League from Championship at first time of asking

Ipswich Town 3-0 QPR: Tractor Boys promoted back to Premier League from Championship at first time of asking

Ipswich have been promoted to the Premier League after a 3-0 win over QPR.A draw would have been enough if Millwall failed to beat Oxford and Middlesb...

Millwall 2-0 Oxford United: Lions must settle for play-offs despite victory

Millwall 2-0 Oxford United: Lions must settle for play-offs despite victory

Millwall had to settle for a place in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs despite finishing the regular season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over rele...

EFL play-offs 2026: Schedule, fixtures and Wembley finals for Championship, League One and League Two

EFL play-offs 2026: Schedule, fixtures and Wembley finals for Championship, League One and League Two

The EFL have confirmed the dates for the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two play-offs.All three divisions' regular seasons will c...

Millwall 2-0 Oxford United: Lions must settle for play-offs despite victory

Millwall 2-0 Oxford United: Lions must settle for play-offs despite victory

Millwall had to settle for a place in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs despite finishing the regular season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over rele...

Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka on target as Gunners go six points clear of Man City

Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka on target as Gunners go six points clear of Man City

Arsenal moved six points clear of Manchester City and boosted their goal difference with a dominant 3-0 win over Fulham.The Gunners scored all three g...