Chris Sutton has told Celtic they can expect to spend an eye-watering £50million this summer in what could be an extensive squad overhaul.
Hoops scouts are already on the prowl for new signings with the Scottish champions having a Champions League qualifier to contend with at the beginning of the campaign.
The club will also see loan players leaving while the likes of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and £25-million rated Arne Engels could be on their way out of Parkhead with offers expected to come.
That's why Sutton feels the hierarchy will have to splash out to ensure Celtic remain competitive in all competitions, qualify for the top tier of European competition and win domestic silverware.
So it could be an expensive few months for the club. "I think it's a different challenge," Sutton said. "Martin worked wonders last year, I didn't see Celtic winning the title from the position he was put in on a couple of occasions.
🍀 "I think that Celtic are possibly going to have to spend more than £50m" Chris Sutton says it'll be a "different challenge" for Martin O'Neill in the new season and that the squad needs a rebuild ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/djFaSDYi5U
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) June 18, 2026
"The run they went on towards the end of the season was extraordinary, the momentum they got under him. Now he's got the job permanently but I can't get away from the fact that there needs to be a lot of change at Celtic in terms of recruitment.
"They've got the Champions League qualifier which is really important. However exciting it was for Celtic fans to end up getting over the line last season - the final day was so dramatic - but you can't get away from the fact that Celtic throughout the season struggled at times.
"Martin will be looking, I'm sure, to bring players in. It will be interesting to see who goes out of Celtic. It looks like Reo Hatate will go, possibly Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels.
"They're big players for the team. Who are Celtic going to replace these players with? Celtic are possibly gonna have to spend up to or more than £50million, really, because the squad does need a rebuild."
