Celtic Diary Wednesday June 10 2026: Tales Of The Expected

Martin O’Neill arrived back from his holibobs yesterday, and was immediately surrounded by drunks at the airport, offering to carry his bags in the hope of hearing some tittle tattle from the Celtic manager.

Frank MacAvennie, who wasn’t at the airport , beat them to it by announcing that he’d heard the manager would be handed a transfer budget of £40m, in order to fund what seems to be a universally accepted rebuild.

According to the drunks who waddled behind O’Neill, he’s sort of right. There is a base figure, which when added to any money raised from the departure of players, should actually exceed £40m.

Granted, that doesn’t get you a lot these days, so the pressure is on the recruitment team to get value for money.

Which would be a nice change, because one cannot help thinking that , based entirely on the last few windows, the current recruitment team couldn’t spot a football player if he spent all night dancing on their driveways playing a vuvuzela and smashing a ball through their windows.

Additions to the coaching staff will also be made, although that might be duff information.

The search for a striker is already underway, according to Sky Sports Switzerland, with the club looking at Elias Filet, of Aarau, in Switzerland, and even going as far as to ring his agent.

After a remarkable season in the Swiss Challenge League, the 24-year-old French-Martinican striker is attracting increasing interest in the transfer market. According to our information, Belgian club KRC Genk  has already begun discussions with the player.

An offer is currently on the table, and the Flemish club’s interest is confirmed. In Scotland, Celtic FC  has also accelerated its pursuit. A video conference between representatives of the Scottish club and the player’s agent took place on Tuesday, June 9th.

Celtic’s management’s priority is now clear: to reach a contractual agreement with Filet before entering into official negotiations with FC Aarau.   

Aarau are in the Swiss second division, so it’s nice to see we’re shopping at the premium counter.

James Bell Walker, the former Chelsea international scout may well have found us a gem, though really I think it’s time for someone to go and find James Bell Walker.

 He’s been rather quiet since he arrived in January. Perhaps he’s still stuck in traffic.

Celtic took a few players on loan last season, given the chaotic situation the club was in, and one or two caught the hearts and imagination of the supporters. However, only one remains on the managers wishlist, and if O’Neill is to revert to his tried and tested 3-5-2, then you won’t be surprised to learn that keeping Saracchi to compete with Keiran Tierney is seen as a priority.

 Right wing back is more or less sorted with Alastair johnston, and Colby Donovan and Tony Ralston are able deputies.

The idea of three central defenders is a little worrying, and that may be where the bulk of the spending goes. Simply because O’Neill favours big baby eating bruisers at the back, and we don’t have any of them at the moment.

 Midfield will see a few new faces as well, and up top only Calum Osmand will remain. finding a battering ram typoe of player to go alongside him is on the agenda, and hopefully someone will turn the telly off every time Lyndon Dykes is on, just in case.

 That may seem harsh on the players who rolled their sleeves up last year, but bear in mind a few of them want away anyway.

 As it stands, it’s all just speculation anyway, but O’Neill is geared up to go out on a high, and isn;t going to hang around waiting for players to give him a decision.

Elsewhere, and the World Cup is almost underway, and it’s not without controversy. Even at this early stage.

Somalian referee Omar Artan has been refused entry to the USA by authorities, despite having all the required documentation.

 He failed some sort of test at the border, apparently, when quizzed by an ICE agent.

 One or two heads were raised in hope at the SFA that one of their referees might take his place, but a telegram from FIFA dashed their hopes

 Dear SFA 

     Don’t even fucking  ask 

 FIFA

 There was talk of a possible referee strike in sympathy to the Somalian, which could force FIFA to draft in an entrely new set of referees for the tournament.

Dear SFA 

     Don’t even fucking  ask 

 FIFA  

 There’s already controversy about the price of beer and sioft drinks in the stadia over there, and a spokesman was forced to explain;

 “We couldn’t take the risk of several drunks shouting shoot at the same time, as it could be misunderstood.” 

 Yesterday, we had this…

Today