DO CELTIC have what it takes to reinforce their dominance this 25/26 season? Data from the Bhoys’ previous performance can provide critical insights into what lies ahead. Here’s everything we know about the squad setup in 2025.
Celtic Squad 25/26
| Position | Players |
| Goalkeepers (3) | Schmeichel, Sinisalo, Doohan |
| Defenders (Centre) (6) | Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Simpson-Pusey, Scales, Inamura, Murray |
| Full-Backs (4) | Johnston, Ralston, Tierney, Saracchi |
| Midfielders (6) | McGregor, Hatate, Engels, Nygren, Bernardo, McCowan |
| Wingers (6) | Maeda, Jota, Balikwisha, Tounekti, Yang, Forrest |
| Attackers (4) | Iheanacho, Yamada, Kenny, Osmand |
Many bettors and sports enthusiasts will agree that champions Celtic are probably in quite a vulnerable state at the moment, and city rivals Rangers may look to take advantage of things and finally deliver a serious Scottish Premiership title challenge. The odds from Sportsbooks and casinos, as initially reported by JohnSlots.com, seem to have less faith in this Brendan Rodgers’ side, despite being a penalty shootout win away from bagging another domestic treble last season. With Celtic’s current line-up, are they ready to defend their title? Here’s how the Bhoys’ previous performances can guide our expectations.
Goalkeepers
The Celtic squad for the 2025/2026 Scottish Premiership League consists of 29 players. Goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo, Kasper Schmeichel, and Ross Doohan have remarkable performance metrics that set Celtic up for success.
Starting with Kasper, who is the best goalkeeper in the Scottish Premiership, as reported by Sky Sports, the goalkeeper boasts a save percentage of 77% and a passing accuracy of 94%. While having a goalkeeper with an average of 0.67 goals conceded per league game is a brilliant strategy, Kasper’s age (38) and recent injuries are top considerations for the 25/26 season.
The keeper suffered a shoulder injury in March 2025 while playing for Denmark against Portugal. Due to the injury, Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers had to replace him with Viljami Sinisalo. Viljami kept four clean sheets and helped seal the Scottish Premiership title for the 24/25 season. And Celtic is betting on him to step up for the 25/26 season as needed.
Defenders
Celtic isn’t holding back on securing the best defence players in the league. The Bhoys squad features a strategic mix of mature and experienced players with young and promising footballers. Last season, Cameron Carter-Vickers averaged 1.24 interceptions with 4.61 clearances per 90 minutes. In addition to a passing accuracy of 92%, Cameron leads Celtic’s defence team.
Auston Trusty is also a great recruit. The centre back player conceded 14 goals and kept 10 clean sheets out of 22 matches last season. While Trusty demonstrates very good potential to help Celtic clinch the trophy again this season, returning player Kieran Tierney’s 6 clean sheets with 1 goal conceded in 13 matches make the veteran a much -alued defender in the squad.
Midfielders
Celtic’s midfield looks settled with Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernado in contention for the three slots. McGregor scored 8 goals in 35 matches, averaging 0.25 goals per 90 minutes last season. The midfielder made a total of 11 goals and assists, bringing his goal involvement up to 0.34 per 90 minutes.
While McGregor’s performance metrics are fair for the midfield position, Reo Hatate delivered a bit better, with 10 goals over 37 matches, bringing his average to 0.37 goals per 90 minutes. Hatate’s goals and assists last season totalled 14, averaging 0.52 goal involvement per 90 minutes.
Wingers
Celtic’s attacking midfielders are top of the league, starting with Daizen Maeda, Celtic’s current left winger, who in the last Premiership took 50 shots in 34 matches. Daizen was able to land 29 shots on target out of the 50 shots, giving him a shooting accuracy of 58%. Yang Hyun-jun, who saw a move to Birmingham City collapse on deadline day, remains part of Celtic’s wingers’ team. Yang’s goals scored per 90 minutes is 0.46, scoring 5 out of 23 matches in the Premiership last season. With a goal involvement of 0.65 per 90 minutes, Yang provides good support in the right wingers’ team for the 25/26 season. New Bhoys Sebastian Tounteki, who has made a fine start, and Michel-Ange Balikwisha plus veteran James Forrest provide strong performance metrics for the secondary attacking lineup in the Celtics. A fully-fit Filipe Jota should be back in action early in the new year.
Attackers
Celtic’s frontline is anchored by Kelechi Iheanacho, Shin Yamada, Johnny Kenny, and Callum Osmand. Iheanacho was signed for a one-year contract shortly after the transfer window. The striker’s shooting accuracy in the last two seasons of the League has hovered at around 50%. Japanese frontman Shin Yamada is new to the Celtics team. The 25-year-old was signed in July for a 4-year contract after placing 6th in the J-League. Although Yamada will be playing his first Premiership with the Celtic, fans expect the Japanese player to deliver exceptionally on the field.
Celtics’ 25–26 Season Potential
The Celtic squad set up for the 25/26 season bears some significant changes. But the club has consistently pulled off outstanding performances, capturing nine straight titles from 2011/12 to 2019/20 and adding another four in a row from 2021/22 to 2024/25. Out of the last 14 Scottish Premiership crowns, Celtic won 13. With Rodgers’ experience over the years, the manager continues to demonstrate skill in creating a formidable team. For Celtics fans, the Scottish Premiership trophy may more likely than not remain with the Bhoys.
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