Celtic confirm £66.4m cash balance as club publishes latest financial results | OneFootball

Celtic have announced a £4.8million loss for the financial year ending June 2026 as the financial impact of missing out on the Champions League was laid bare…

Rod Stewart is seen in the stands before the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Hoops recorded a significant swing from the £33.9m profit posted in 2025, while revenue fell from £143.6m to £111.0m.

Celtic’s year-end cash balance also dropped by £10.9m, from £77.3m to £66.4m, with the club pointing towards reduced European income, increased operating costs and investment in the playing squad.

Since the end of the financial year, Celtic have committed £31.6m to the permanent signings of Kasper Høgh, Camilo Duran, Mika Baur, Haissem Hassan, Joel van den Berg and Jordan Lotomba.

Celtic chairman Brian Wilson during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on February 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Interim chairman Brian Wilson also addressed a turbulent period on and off the pitch, identifying Brendan Rodgers’ departure last October as the beginning of a period of instability and suggesting Wilfried Nancy may have succeeded under different circumstances.

Wilson said via Celtic’s website: “Season 2025/26 was more turbulent than anyone would have wished for, though ultimately it ended with one of the most dramatic title wins in our history as we secured the SPFL Premiership in the final moments of play before adding the Scottish Cup to complete a double a week later.

“I congratulate Martin O’Neill, the backroom team and players for demonstrating extraordinary resilience throughout the title run-in and thank our supporters whose backing was crucial to the outcome.

“Turning to a summary of our financial results, revenue decreased to £111.0m (2025: £143.6m) primarily as a result of dropping into the Europa League as compared to the Champions League in the prior year.

“As well as directly impacting UEFA distributions, this also had a knock-on effect on other parts of the Club including ticketing income and retail.

“The loss after tax amounted to £4.8m (2025: profit of £33.9m). This was driven by a combination of revenue decline, an increase in operating expenses primarily through wages and salaries, a reduction in gains from player trading to £16.0m (2025: £31.5m) and an increase in amortisation to £15.4m from £13.8m in 2025.

“Year-end cash decreased by £10.9m to £66.4m (2025: £77.3m) mainly due to cash consumption at the operating level coupled with net investment in players and capital items in the year.

“Committed player acquisition costs, including all agent fees, amounted to £17.5m in the year on top of the £42.6m spent in the prior year.

“The reduction in spend was in part down to a strategic decision in the January 2026 transfer window to adopt more loan signings with permanent transfer options in order to combine flexibility with the immediate strengthening of the playing squad.

Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on September 02, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Going into the summer 2026 transfer window post year-end, the Club has brought in the permanent registrations of Kasper Høgh, Camilo Duran, Mika Baur, Haissem Hassan, Joel van den Berg and Jordan Lotomba at a total cost of £31.6m as well as acquiring the temporary registrations of Landon Emenalo, Shumaira Mheuka, Sam Johnstone and Oliver Sørensen.

“Prior to the year-end we permanently disposed of Luis Palma and Hayato Inamura and post year-end permanently disposed of Maik Nawrocki, Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny. A number of players’ loans and playing contracts came to an end and they have moved on to new clubs or returned to their parent clubs.

“The early stages of the 2026/27 season have brought mixed fortunes. Our league campaign started strongly and the first leg tie in the Champions League qualifier gave cause for optimism.

“The second leg defeat to LASK was, accordingly, all the more deeply disappointing for every supporter of the Club. This has been followed by our exit from the League Cup. We now move into the Europa League as well as pursuing our defence of the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup, with renewed commitment to success.

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, applauds prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

“The events of the past 12 months have been dramatic, sometimes joyful and at other points deeply frustrating. The departure of Brendan Rodgers was an unanticipated event which initiated a period of instability.

“In other circumstances, the appointment of Wilfried Nancy might have worked but his arrival in mid-season and the changes which followed clearly did not. Parting ways with Wilfried was hugely disappointing but decisive action had to be taken.

“The return of the great Martin O’Neill, supported by his backroom team as well as a fine squad of players, then proved to be a triumphant success. It is also worth noting that eight of our players were selected by their countries for the World Cup finals.

“We welcomed Grant Scott as women’s team manager in January 2026 and while we were disappointed to finish the SWPL in 5th place after Grant transitioned into the role, we rounded off the season in style by winning the Scottish Cup. The season has started strongly with 5 straight league wins and progression into the quarter finals of the Sky Sports Cup.

“In December, Peter Lawwell retired from the chairman’s role. Peter’s contribution to the Club’s success over more than 20 years was outstanding and, as Celtic supporters, we owe him our appreciation.

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic and interim Chairman Brian Wilson arrives at the stadium before the Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on September 13, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I was asked by colleagues to step into the role of Interim Chairman and have done my best to bring people together in order to maximise the team’s prospects of success and to encourage improvement in areas where we could have been doing better including communication and supporter engagement. This work is ongoing.

“Tom Allison retired from the Board after long and sterling service for which we all express appreciation. The need for new Board appointments was apparent, and I welcome the immediate appointment of Mark Keane and soon to be appointed Raymond Buchanan. This process of refreshing the Board will continue including identification of a successor to myself.

“We have many fine people working for Celtic Football Club, each and every one committed to its identity, values and continuing success. I thank them all for their contributions in every aspect of the Club’s affairs. Our appreciation also goes, as ever, to the supporters who always were and always will be the lifeblood of the Club.”

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