Thomas Hatton set for Celtic exit as Ayr United agree loan move | OneFootball

Celtic youngster Thomas Hatton is set to join Ayr United on a season-long loan as the winger looks to continue his development with regular senior football.

Thomas Hatton of Celtic. Celtic v Middlesbrough, Pre Season Friendly, Celtic Park, – 18 July 2026. Photo Phil Oldham

IMAGO/Shutterstock

The 20-year-old caught the eye during Martin O’Neill’s pre-season preparations and remained around the first-team picture before returning to Celtic B for competitive action.

According to TCW, Hatton, who scored in the B team’s 3-1 Challenge Cup victory over Hamilton Academical last week, is set to head to Somerset Park for the remainder of the campaign.

The move comes after Hatton earned significant praise from O’Neill following Celtic’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan last month.

Hatton came off the bench and went close to scoring, with his willingness to run directly at defenders particularly impressing the Celtic boss.

O’Neill said: “I just congratulated Tam for his spell on the field. He’s prepared to take people on. I think that’s like a dying art, which is great.

“He’ll get all the encouragement in the world.

“And now he’s a young lad making his way in the game. Obviously, there’s a battle on to try and get him to the side like anything else.

“But I was really impressed with him. As I have been impressed with his attitude during the whole pre-season.”

Hatton remains under contract at Celtic until the summer of 2028 and is predominantly a left winger, although he can also operate from the right.

A season in the Scottish Championship should now provide the youngster with valuable first-team experience.

Gary Naysmith’s Ayr currently sit second in the Championship after two matches and were narrowly knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by Kilmarnock on Friday.

Hatton will become the latest Celtic youngster to head out on loan, with Aidan Rice and Owen Hartington already at Dumbarton, while Kyle Ure is also expected to join Crewe Alexandra.

HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…

Celtic Shorts is the new home for the team from The Celtic Star

NEW BOOK LAUNCH FROM CELTIC STAR BOOKS…Celtic in the Fifties in two volumes, available to pre-order now…

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!

Click to join Celtic Pools