Five former Celtic stars shining brightly this season | OneFootball

These five players after leaving Celtic have gone onto have successful careers elsewhere which actually doesn’t happen in every instance when many players find the grass isn’t always greener than at Paradise…

Celtic Park under the lights before kick off Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, – 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

1. Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool captain, Netherlands captain, standard-setter, still elite – a Rolls Royce of  footballer…Ratings 10/10.

Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Netherlands and Lithuania at Johan Cruijff Arena on November 17, 2025 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

The Dutchman established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world after leaving Celtic Park. A decade ago, van Dijk signed with Southampton, where he stayed for a couple of seasons. And nowadays, he’s the anchor of Liverpool’s defence, wearing the armband for club and country.

Under Klopp, van Dijk was considered the world’s best defender by many experts. His physical traits made him dangerous on set pieces in both boxes. With Arne Slot, he won last season’s Premier League. Even during Liverpool’s shaky 2025/2026 start, he remains a key player for the Reds and Slot. That’s why he’s still on this matchday’s games as one of the most important individuals for the Dutch coach.

The individual recognition has shown his form during his stint as a Liverpool player. Player of the Season in the Premier League, Starting XI of both the Premier League and the Champions League, FIFPRO World XI, World and European Teams of the Decade… the accolades haven’t stopped, even if he’s starting the twilight of his playing career.

2. Jeremie Frimpong – Oh my days! Another former Celt who found his way to Anfield and stars for the Netherlands after leaving Celtic…Ratings 8.5/10.

Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Frimpong’s signing for Liverpool was one of the main headlines of the last summer transfer period. His tenure as a Bayer Leverkusen player was successful, winning the first Bundesliga title in history for the German team. However, this wasn’t his first time in the British Islands. Frimpong is a graduate from Manchester City’s youth ranks, and he played two seasons for Celtic before moving to Germany.

As a Red, he had a debut to remember. He only needed 21 minutes at Wembley to score on debut in August’s Community Shield, flashing a crossshot in off the far post. It wasn’t enough for Liverpool, as they eventually lost on penalties, but it was a great first impression. His latest injury has cut his adaptation to Slot’s system; however, if he can continue to show his talent, he might be one of the best signings Liverpool have made in recent seasons.

3. Teemu Pukki – Struggled a little at Celtic but outstanding talisman at Norwich City and now back in Helsinki and always among the goals…Ratings – 7/10.

Teemu Pukki of Finland celebrates scoring Finland second goal with Juho Talvitie of Finland during International Friendly match between Portugal and Finland at Estadio Jose Alvalade on June 4, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Teemu Pukki is one of those players Norwich fans will never forget. He might not be the best striker in the world, and no top team’s fans would have ever asked to sign him. However, the Suomi veteran is still able to be in the starting XI in certain leagues… and be crucial for his squad.

His tenure at Celtic wasn’t as memorable as other players. Pukki only scored seven goals out of 32 matches in Scotland, clearly not enough to guarantee further opportunities in the team. However, he thrived during his time in Norwich, with two stunning seasons in the Championship and a good enough showing in the Premier League. After a couple of seasons in the American MLS, nowadays he’s back in Finland, playing for HJK. There, he’s still showing his class, with 11 goals in 18 matches for them. Even though he wasn’t able to have the impact we were looking for, he’s still one of the best Finnish players of the last decade. He retired from international football at the weekend after Finland’s World Cup campaign came to an end.

4.  Kristoffer Ajer – Brentford’s two-way pillar in a system that asks a lot, a key player for Norway too and like Scotland they are heading back to the World Cup Finals next summer after a 28 year absence…Ratings 8/10.

Kristoffer Ajer of Norway looks on following victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Bees have surprised a few soccer fans thanks to their stability in the Premier League since their first season back in 2021. And one of the reasons for their consistency is another former Celtic player: the Norwegian defender Kristoffer Ajer.

One of the highlights of his career was an amazing near-post flick from a long throw that helped spark a 3-2 win over Liverpool in late October, but it wouldn’t be fair to him to stop there. Beyond that one amazing moment, he’s been a consistent contributor across the league and cups. Celtic fans are not surprised at all by his performance. The raw materials were there when he played in Celtic Park: size, touch, calm… Brentford wouldn’t be succeeding nowadays without his finesse and regularity.

5. Ryan Christie – Craft, bite, and late-game moments for Bournemouth, he’s also heading the World Cup with Scotland…Ratings 6.5/10.

Ryan Christie of Scotland celebrates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Ryan Christie’s 2024/25 ended in April with a surgery, but he’s back into this campaign and already banked a signature moment: an 88th-minute strike at Selhurst Park that looked like it would send Bournemouth top of the Premier League. Either way, Christie’s one of the players under Andoni Iraola who’s helping the team become the surprise of the season. Bournemouth’s high, slidey press needs a connector, and Christie has been that man so far. The Cherries are enjoying what Celtic lost three years ago: a player who can be the extra body in midfield when out of possession and, at the same time, the spark that starts the fire of the top half of the team.

His wayward shooting at Celtic was always a cause for concern though.  Christie though is one of the Scotland player who if he keeps himself fit will be on the plane as part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad heading to the World Cup next summer.

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