Celtic’s Big Behind-The-Scenes Conversations With Askou: Does This Confirm What Celtic Supporters Suspected? | OneFootball

Former Aberdeen, Everton, and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness suggested Celtic are holding informal talks with Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou. These discussions likely cover which players Askou wants to keep at Parkhead next season. Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness highlighted the situation of Julián Araujo. The 24-year-old Mexican international right-back joined Celtic on loan from AFC Bournemouth on 2 January 2026.

Keith Wyness suggests Celtic may already be testing the water with their managerial frontrunner

Wyness argued that circumstantial evidence points toward an Askou appointment. He believes it is logical for Celtic’s hierarchy to gauge the Dane’s squad preferences now. If the deal is done behind the scenes, Celtic are almost certainly asking Askou which players he wants. This includes whether he would approve a permanent move for Araujo. Wyness served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 before spells at Everton and Aston Villa. He now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs. This adds importance to his view on how clubs operate during a managerial transition.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It does seem that the Motherwell manager seems to be the favourite.

“There could well be sounding, if this is going to be a done deal behind the scenes, which it may well be, then you’d think that they’d be reaching out and having soundings with him.

“Is this the sort of player you would want as well, and getting a thumbs up, which is probably wrong, but would probably still be happening in reality behind the scenes.

“So those are the sort of factors I think that you’ve got to think about for a player like that.”

Does this confirm what Celtic supporters suspected?

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 14: Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is seen during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Askou arrived at Motherwell at the start of this season. He has drawn comparisons to the Ange Postecoglou era. His side sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership and plays organised, attractive possession football. Before joining Motherwell, Askou won the 2024–25 Danish Super Liga title with FC Copenhagen, and it gives him a trophy-winning pedigree. He is the clear 2/1 favourite with top UK bookmakers to lead Celtic next season. Roberto Martinez and Robbie Keane trail in the betting. In this situation, the Wyness claim about Araujo feels like common practice at the top level.

Araujo has made a fine impression in Glasgow. He scored his first Celtic goal on 15 February. He netted a last-minute winner against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park with his weaker left foot. Araujo then celebrated by jumping into the stands with supporters. Bournemouth are happy to sell the 24-year-old this summer, and it makes the incoming manager’s approval more important.

This story reveals plenty about Celtic’s strategy. The club are running the appointment and squad-planning processes at the same time. This is a smarter approach than the chaos following the Wilfried Nancy debacle earlier this season. Motherwell have conceded just 18 goals this season. This is the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership. It shows the defensive discipline Askou builds into his teams. An energetic right-back like Araujo will suit that system perfectly. If Askou has already given his approval, the transfer may be far more advanced than the public knows.