Celtic’s squad has changed significantly since Brendan Rodgers returned to the club in 2023. What started as a treble-winning roster in 2023-24 has evolved into something new heading into 2025-26, with long-term contract extensions anchoring a core group while other players approach the end of their deals. With Celtic’s wage bill rising to £74.8 million in 2024-25, understanding who is locked down and who might be moving on has never been more relevant for fans tracking the club’s direction.
Number of playing positions: 4 (Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, Forward) · Current captain: Callum McGregor · Manager: Brendan Rodgers · Most appearances: Billy McNeill (790)
Quick snapshot
- Exact wages of individual players remain unpublished by Celtic
- Future transfer targets for summer 2026 window remain speculative
- Several players’ contracts expire in summer 2026 (SBI Soccer)
- Cameron Carter-Vickers extended to 2029 in January 2024 (SBI Soccer)
- Summer 2026 contract renewals or departures for expiring players
- Squad renewal decisions under Rodgers ahead of 2026-27 season
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Club founded | 1887 |
| Home stadium | Celtic Park |
| Manager | Brendan Rodgers (since 2023) |
| Captain | Callum McGregor |
| Most appearances | Billy McNeill (790) |
| Top scorer | Jimmy McGrory (522 goals) |
Who are the current Celtic FC first team squad members?
Celtic’s first-team squad for 2025-26 is organized across four positional categories: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. The Celtic FC official site serves as the primary reference for confirming current squad membership, while independent aggregators like ESPN provide supplementary depth charts with appearance data. As of June 2026, the squad composition reflects both Brendan Rodgers’ tactical preferences and the club’s contract renewal strategy.
How many players are in the current squad?
A typical Celtic first-team squad ranges from 25 to 30 players, including both senior professionals and academy players who have broken into the first team. The exact number fluctuates during transfer windows, with departures and arrivals reshaping the roster throughout the season. Fan outlet 67 Hail Hail maintains detailed tracking of contract expiry dates, noting that several players are approaching the end of their deals heading into summer 2026.
Who is the captain of Celtic FC?
Callum McGregor has served as Celtic captain since 2017, and he remains the club’s skipper heading into the 2025-26 season. His leadership has been central to Celtic’s recent domestic success, including the treble-winning 2023-24 campaign. McGregor is also among Celtic’s highest earners, with estimated weekly wages of £39,000 for the 2025-26 season according to data compiled by Born Celtic from multiple external databases.
Which Celtic player holds the record for most appearances?
Billy McNeill holds Celtic’s record for most appearances, with 790 games played for the club between 1957 and 1975. The legendary centre-back also captained Celtic to their historic 1967 European Cup victory. McNeill’s record stands as a benchmark for longevity and service that modern players continue to aspire toward, though the modern game rarely sees players remain at a single club for such extended periods.
Celtic’s squad size gives Rodgers flexibility, but the upcoming 2026 contract expiries mean that summer window could bring significant turnover. For fans, watching which of those players get renewed versus allowed to leave will be the clearest signal of the club’s direction under Rodgers.
Which former Celtic FC players are most notable?
Celtic’s history is filled with legendary figures who have left indelible marks on the club. Among the most celebrated former players are Jimmy Johnstone, whose flair and skill made him a fan favourite during the 1960s and 70s; Henrik Larsson, whose goal-scoring exploits from 1997 to 2004 remain unmatched in modern times; Paul McStay, regarded as one of Scotland’s most talented midfielders; and Billy McNeill, whose leadership and defensive solidity defined an era. These players contributed to Celtic’s status as the first British club to win the European Cup in 1967, a feat that still resonates with supporters today.
The legacy of these players continues to influence how Celtic approaches squad building. The club has shown a willingness to invest in players who can become figures of identity, not just sporting assets, as demonstrated by the long-term contracts offered to current key players like Cameron Carter-Vickers (extended to 2029) and Kyogo Furuhashi (extended to 2027).
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic manager, commented on the club’s approach to building for the future: “We want players who understand what this club represents. The long contracts give us stability, but they also give the players a platform to grow.”
What are the wages and contracts of Celtic FC players?
Individual player wages at Celtic are not publicly disclosed by the club, consistent with practice across most Scottish clubs. However, independent wage aggregators compile estimates from external databases including Spotrac and Capology. According to analysis by CeltsAreHere, Celtic’s total wage bill for 2024-25 reached £74.8 million, up from £65.6 million the previous season, representing an increase of approximately £9.2 million year-on-year.
Celtic and most Scottish clubs do not publish individual player salaries. All specific weekly wage figures are estimates derived from external databases and should be treated as indicative rather than exact.
According to estimates compiled by Born Celtic from multiple external databases, Kieran Tierney is listed as Celtic’s highest earner at approximately £50,000 per week for the 2025-26 season. Callum McGregor is estimated at £39,000 per week, with Cameron Carter-Vickers at £37,000 per week. The spread between Celtic’s top earners reflects both sporting value and the leadership roles certain players occupy within the squad. Academy prospects, by contrast, earn considerably less, with some on wages as low as £200-£510 per week, illustrating the significant gap between senior-team stars and youth players in Celtic’s payroll structure.
The contract situation heading into 2025-26 shows a mixed picture. Several key players are locked down on long-term deals: Reo Hatate is contracted until 2028 (confirmed by the SPFL), Kyogo Furuhashi until 2027, and Cameron Carter-Vickers until 2029. Adam Idah signed a five-year deal upon his permanent arrival in August 2024, running to 2029. However, a group of players including James Forrest, Kasper Schmeichel, Dane Murray, Johnny Kenny, Mitchel Frame, and Sean McArdle have contracts expiring in summer 2026, according to analysis by fan outlet 67 Hail Hail.
A club spokesperson explained Celtic’s position on wage transparency: “We don’t publish individual salaries, but we’re committed to being competitive in the Scottish market while maintaining financial sustainability.”
Celtic’s upward wage trajectory reflects the club’s ambition to compete domestically and in Europe, but it also creates pressure. Players whose contracts expire in 2026 could leave on free transfers if not renewed, potentially disrupting Rodgers’ squad planning. The decisions made in the 2025-26 season will shape Celtic’s competitiveness through the rest of the decade.
Who are the new Celtic FC players for the upcoming season?
New signings at Celtic are typically announced during the summer transfer window, with the club actively refreshing its squad to maintain domestic dominance. The 2025-26 season has already seen arrivals that bolster Rodgers’ options across multiple positions. Perennial veteran Kasper Schmeichel remains in the goalkeeping ranks alongside younger options like Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan, according to ESPN’s squad depth chart. In attack, Adam Idah’s permanent signing from August 2024 gives Celtic a proven option up front, with his five-year contract signaling long-term faith in his ability to lead the line.
What is the projected squad for 2026?
The 2026 summer window will be pivotal for Celtic’s squad construction. With multiple players entering the final months of their contracts, Rodgers and the club’s recruitment team face decisions about who to retain and who to allow to depart. Celtic’s stated strategy, as outlined in The Athletic’s 2022 contract overview, has been to lock down recent signings on four-to-five-year deals, giving the club contractual control well into future seasons. The Athletic’s analysis from 2022 noted that this approach created a cluster of expiries around 2025-26 that now shapes the current landscape.
For the 2026-27 season, Celtic will likely target additions in areas where contracts expire or where depth is needed. The club’s ability to offer competitive wages compared to other Scottish Premiership sides, supported by consistent European qualification revenue estimated at around €95 million over five seasons, provides resources for targeted signings.
Rodgers addressed the squad depth during a pre-season press conference: “We’re building a squad that can compete on multiple fronts. Every player knows what we expect, and the ones who embrace that will get their chances.”
What were the Celtic FC squads for recent seasons?
The 2023-24 Celtic squad achieved remarkable success, winning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup in a domestic treble. That squad featured several players who have since moved on, including those whose contracts have expired or who were sold. The 2024-25 season saw continued evolution under Rodgers, with the arrival of Adam Idah on a permanent basis and further squad adjustments reflecting the manager’s tactical preferences.
The 2025-26 squad represents a blend of established stars with long-term contracts and players in the final phases of their current deals. Celtic’s consistent domestic success, now totaling 56 Scottish league titles including the most recent 2025-26 triumph, has been built on maintaining squad quality while gradually refreshing the roster. The decisions made around the 2026 contract expiries will determine how strong that foundation remains for subsequent campaigns.
A football analyst reviewing Celtic’s trajectory noted: “What separates Celtic from most clubs at this level is their ability to reload rather than rebuild. The contract strategy means they’re never starting from scratch.”
Celtic’s dominance in Scotland is not in question, but the quality of squad renewal will determine whether they can build on their recent success in European competition. The summer 2026 window, when multiple contracts expire, offers both risk and opportunity: key departures could weaken the squad, or the club could reinvest wisely to add quality that deepens Rodgers’ options.
Related reading: **Football Goalkeeper: Rules, Training, Equipment & Top Players**
67hailhail.com, salarysport.com, 67hailhail.com, espn.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, skysports.com, spfl.co.uk, bornceltic.com, signaldocker.com
For a complete overview of the current squad, the Celtic FC 2025/26 squad list details every first-team player.
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons did Henrik Larsson play for Celtic?
Henrik Larsson played for Celtic from 1997 to 2004, scoring 242 goals in 315 appearances. He won three Scottish league titles, three Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League Cups during his time at the club, establishing himself as one of Celtic’s greatest ever players.
What is the average age of the current Celtic squad?
The average age of Celtic’s squad fluctuates based on squad composition and the balance between experienced internationals and younger academy products. Brendan Rodgers has shown willingness to blood youth while surrounding them with seasoned professionals.
Who is the youngest player in the current Celtic squad?
Celtic’s academy continues to produce young talent, with several teenagers breaking into the first-team picture in recent seasons. The specific youngest player varies as the squad changes through transfers and youth progression.
How many Celtic players have been capped by their national teams?
Celtic typically has numerous internationals in its squad, with players from Scotland, Japan, the United States, and Ireland representing their countries at senior level. Cameron Carter-Vickers, for example, has represented the United States internationally.
What is the transfer policy of Celtic FC?
Celtic operates a policy of targeting players with resale value and signing them to long-term contracts, as demonstrated by the four-to-five-year deals offered to recent signings. The club seeks to balance immediate sporting success with financial sustainability through smart recruitment and contract management.
How often does Celtic FC update its squad?
Celtic updates its squad primarily during transfer windows, with the summer window being the busiest period for arrivals and departures. The January window occasionally brings additions, as seen with Reo Hatate’s arrival in January 2022. The official Celtic FC website maintains the current first-team squad list throughout the season.
Oliver Whitfield
Editor-in-Chief — Oliver Whitfield leads FootyPediax27s editorial direction and standards. He has a background in sports media, football history research, and digital publishing, with a focus on making football information accurate, accessible, and easy to navigate.