Former Celt makes surprise return to professional football

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The Celtic Star

·3 de abril de 2026

Former Celt makes surprise return to professional football

Former Celtic loanee Tyler Blackett has made a surprise return to professional football, two years after stepping away from the game…

The defender has signed for USL Championship outfit New Mexico United, marking his first move since his last appearance for Rotherham in 2023.

Blackett briefly featured for Celtic during the 2015/16 campaign – joining on loan from Manchester United under Ronny Deila – but managed only a handful of outings before departing Old Trafford on a permanent basis later that year.

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Daniel Berg Hestad of Molde scores his team’s second goal despite the challenge from Tyler Blackett of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Celtic FC and Molde FK at Celtic Park on November 5, 2015. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

He went on to spend several seasons with Reading, followed by a stint at Nottingham Forest, before moving to the United States to play for FC Cincinnati.

A short-term switch to Rotherham in March 2023 was later extended into the following season, but his release in 2024 had seemingly brought his playing days to a close.

Now, in an unexpected twist, New Mexico United – currently struggling near the bottom of the USL Championship – have confirmed his arrival as they look to bolster their squad.

Speaking via their official website, New Mexico United sporting director Itamar Keinan, said: “We are thrilled to add someone with Tyler’s pedigree to our club.”

“Tyler is not only bringing a wealth of experience with him, but also real quality and leadership to our backline. Welcome to the Black and Yellow Tyler.”

In other news, Steven McLean has been appointed referee for Celtic’s trip to Dens Park on Sunday.

McLean will be joined by assistants Calum Spence and Douglas Ross, while Matthew MacDermid has been appointed to oversee VAR duties, with Chris Graham providing support as AVAR from Clydesdale House.

The fixture will mark the fourth time this season that McLean has refereed a Celtic game. His previous appointments include the Hoops’ 3-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle in October.

He was also in charge during Celtic’s 3-1 loss to the Ibrox club in January, as well as Martin O’Neill’s side’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Hearts later that same month.

Conor Spence

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