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 and Chris McKay
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.

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
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
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.

Callum Osmand of Celtic FC
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?

The Celtic Board
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.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie - Putting on the Style both by David Potter
Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
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Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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8 Comments

    • Comments hurt the players feelings f**k sake. They should be getting there ar*e kicked every time they go up the tunnel and getting their face slapped when the come of at the end of of the game win lose or draw

      • Brendan is part of the problem! A huge part of the problem. He wanted Trusty for 6M yet starts Murray today who was at fault for two goals and should have stuck a leg out on the other. Brendan wanted Engels, Bernardo and Balikwisha, that’s a total of 31M that he himself doesn’t see better than a Honda Civic.

  1. UEFA changed ruling earlier this year. If a player in European competition squad is injured. You can register a new player mid competition. And Ur not stuck with new player. Example you can exchange Iheanacho for Shin Yamada & if Iheanacho recovers mid competition. You can swap them again and bring I Iheanacho.

  2. Your views on the board messing up big time with the transfers are well said. It was a disaster and they should take full responsibility.

    However, we must all be realistic with all the talk about the manager. He is not, as has been stated so often, a top flight manager. He went back to England for the money. He got lucky and then messed up big time. He’s good, but he’s no Alex Ferguson.

    What has become so obvious is that his arrogance has gotten the better of him. He has played a political game publicly, which is completely out of order. This public moaning must have upset the players. You can see the result of their depression in the results prior to the last game. He got his team selections wrong before the latest European match.

    Brendan Rodgers should have been as forthright and as vigorous as possible with his views on the transfer business in private. He should have taken no prisoners in his discussions with the board. His fury should have been vented upon them, but it should have stayed private. As a result of his stupidity, the players have been damaged and the fans outraged with the performances.

    His treatment of the two new Japanese lads has been deplorable and will disgust all our fans. We don’t treat our p[layers like that. It sickens us. Whoever they are, they are of us and they matter.

    At the moment, our first choice striker couldn’t hit a barn door. Johnny Kenny, for all his effort, is perhaps not a striker suited to the SPL or Europe.

    Maybe Shin should be given a start. Brendan has to swallow his pride and give the bhoy a chance.

    I understand Brendan’s frustrations, his desire to manage a top team, but it might be time to part ways and bring in someone new, either now or at the end of the season. Ange could come back and galvanize everyoneand this desparate politicking would stop.

    • This is the best comment I have seen for a long time. Spot on Chris!
      Rodger’s is arrogant and is playing personal games.

      Also how can Schmeicel be chosen ahead of the much superior Vinjami Sinisalo?

  3. The manager has been hung out to dry ,the fans taken for mugs, and board leak out rumours to play everyone it’s All guff . Stop giving them your money

    • The fans keep buying season tickets and merchandise so if the want then we might need suffer a poor season the only thing these leeches on the board will take notice is a dramatic loss of revenue nothing else money is the big factor so it’s up to the fans plus Rodgers not at his best these last 6 months to be honest.

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