Celtic centre-forward shortage, rumours of Boardroom changes

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The Celtic Star

·26 de outubro de 2025

Celtic centre-forward shortage, rumours of Boardroom changes

The Celtic board’s interfering laid bare with our striking dilemma with Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand now looking at being needed. There’s also whispers of boardroom change in the offing and not before time…

Michael Nicholson, Celtic CEO and Chris McKay, Celtic CFO, look on from the stands during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Just a couple of weeks ago Micheal Nicolson smugly shrugged his shoulders when asked about he and his cronies encroachment in team matters, ie recruitment.

Vídeos OneFootball

That meddling has now come back to haunt the club, as we suffer from something of a striking crisis, with Kelechi Iheanacho out and Daizen Maeda doubtful, meaning only Johnny Kenny, Callum Osmand and Shin Yamada being available for selection. All three can be classified as club signings, or maybe you prefer called them project signings or even punts.

Johnny Kenny of Celtic shoots at goal Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, , Celtic Park – 23 Oct over 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Only Kenny however will realistically be in line for a starting slot, whilst the other two will consider themselves lucky if they find themselves on the bench. But in the absence of anyone else that is increasingly likely. Indeed what happens if Johnny Kenny picks up an injury this side of Christmas.

Shin Yamada of Celtic. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

Such a scenario that is yet another indictment of the Celtic board’s interference in team matters and/or incompetence in operating successfully the transfer front, and yet more proof that the Celtic Fans Collective’s campaign for change is more than justified.

Callum Osmand was heralded as a fantastic piece of business, but so far he’s been surplus to requirements, the same as Japanese international Shin Yamada who’s also been absent from the match days squads. Neither are listed in the Europa League squad so Brendan Rodgers will need to be careful with Johnny Kenny in terms of the demands put on him while he awaits Daizen’s return from injury. That could be today, next week or next month, no-one has any idea really.

Clyde v Celtic B team KDM Evolution Trophy 12/08/2025. Callum Osmand of Celtic FC during the KDM Evolution Trophy match between Clyde and Celtic B team at New Douglas Park, Hamilton, on 12 August 2025. Photo Colin Poultney PSI

The fact that Osmand and Shin both been overlooked by Brendan Rodgers, and will continue to be given the cold shoulder treatment, even in a time of crisis tells you that both are just some of the recruits that were signed without the manager’s input.

Now though Rodgers has no other options but to look to the club signings and Shin is likely to be on the bench today at Tynecastle as Celtic look to avoid Hearts opening up a significant gap at the top of the table.

If Brendan was given the players that were identified then we would have more options for times such as these. Keep shrugging those shoulders Michael. Will you ever get the chance to deliver the Kyogo replacement or will the Celtic Board have its own January transfer window?

Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay applaud during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

There are certainly plenty of rumours doing the round about one or two significant changes that are likely to be welcomed by the Celtic support and may even result in Brendan deciding to stay beyond May, something that is highly unlikely to happen with the status quo.

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books