Celtic's Manager Search: Keane and O'Neill Discussions, Rangers Eye Skoglund

The Glasgow football map is being redrawn in boardrooms and back corridors as much as on the pitch, and the next week could prove pivotal.

Celtic's Managerial Search

At Celtic, the search for a new manager has moved Robbie Keane from rumour to serious contender. The club have held what are described as constructive talks with the former striker over the vacancy, with more discussions pencilled in for this week. This is no courtesy call to a former hero; it is a live option on the table.

Running alongside that process is a question that tugs at Celtic’s recent past. Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond is set to speak with interim boss Martin O'Neill to gauge his appetite for remaining at the club in some capacity. O’Neill, who stepped back into the breach to steady the ship, now finds himself at the centre of a bigger conversation: is there a longer-term role for him in the next Celtic structure, or was this always going to be a brief return?

Keane’s candidacy brings clear appeal. He knows the club, he carries stature, and he offers a modern, attack-minded profile that fits Celtic’s self-image. Yet the presence of O’Neill, a title-winning figure with deep roots in the support, complicates the picture in a way that goes beyond simple job titles. Desmond’s conversations in the coming days will shape not only who stands in the technical area, but what kind of power structure sits behind him.

Rangers' Recruitment Strategy

Across the city, Rangers are working a different angle. They have opened direct contact with the representatives of Hammarby right-back Hampus Skoglund, a player tied to the Swedish club for another three years. That detail matters. Any deal will require Rangers to pay for potential, not just current output, and to persuade Hammarby to cash in on a long-term asset.

The move underlines a clear trend at Ibrox: targeted recruitment in specific problem positions rather than scattergun shopping. Right-back has been a pressure point, and Skoglund fits the profile of a modern full-back who can add energy and width. Opening talks with his camp is only the first step, but it signals intent and timing. Rangers want their defensive rebuild mapped out early, not patched together in late August.

West Ham's Scottish Interest

Further south, West Ham United are preparing for life in the Championship with a sharp eye on Scotland. The London club have made an initial enquiry about Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan, 23, as they begin to shape a squad capable of handling the grind of a 46-game league campaign. Mulligan offers age, legs, and room to grow — the type of profile that can anchor a promotion push and retain value beyond it.

West Ham are not stopping there. They are also monitoring Celtic centre-forward Callum Osmand, another sign that Scottish football remains a fertile market for English clubs looking for hungry, developing talent. Celtic, though, are described as unlikely sellers. At 20, Osmand represents both present depth and future upside for the Scottish champions, and they hold all the leverage.

So the picture sharpens.

Celtic weigh romance and renewal as they talk to Keane and consider how, or if, O’Neill fits into the next era. Rangers probe Scandinavia for a long-term solution at right-back in Skoglund. West Ham, adjusting to a new reality, cast their net north for Mulligan and keep a watching brief on Osmand.

Different clubs, different pressures. One common thread: the decisions made now will echo deep into next season.