Key Points
- Celtic recorded zero net spend in the January 2026 transfer window with no permanent signings.
- Club brought in loan players Julian Araujo from Bournemouth and Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Monchengladbach.
- Several players returned from loans including Stephen Welsh and Adam Montgomery.
- Hearts lead Scottish Premiership by six points ahead of Celtic under manager Martin O’Neill.
- Transfer rumours persist for attackers but key targets like Kyogo Furuhashi return appear doomed.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) January 30, 2026 – Celtic fans face a potentially greater disappointment from the club’s inactive January transfer window than recent London Road attacks, according to analysis in The Herald.
The Scottish Premiership contenders concluded the winter window with loans and recalls but no new permanent additions, leaving their squad reinforcement efforts underwhelming amid a title race.
Why has Celtic’s transfer activity fallen short?
Celtic’s confirmed incoming transfers for January 2026 consisted solely of loans for defender Julian Araujo from Bournemouth and forward Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Monchengladbach, as reported by Sports Mole and Sky Sports.
As reported by Sports Mole of Sports Mole, the club also welcomed back Stephen Welsh from Motherwell and Adam Montgomery from Livingston, alongside Odim Holm ending his loan at Los Angeles FC, but outgoing loans of Hayato Inamura to FC Tokyo and Shin Yamada to Preussen Munster balanced the activity.
What impact does this have on Celtic’s title challenge?
Hearts currently top the Scottish Premiership table, six points clear of Celtic, increasing pressure on Martin O’Neill’s side to bolster their attack and defence before the window closed.
Which rumoured deals failed to materialise?
Reporting by The Celtic Way podcast hosts notes plans for Mabi Natala fell through after medical tests, while a move for former striker Kyogo Furuhashi back from Birmingham collapsed following his recent FA Cup goal.
Links to Kieran Bowie and others surfaced late, but no further incomings were confirmed, per transfer round-ups from Sky Sports and 67 Hail Hail.
How might fans react to this transfer inaction?
The Herald’s assessment highlights that failing to secure key signings could overshadow other setbacks for supporters, given the urgent need to close the gap on leaders Hearts and strengthen under O’Neill’s third stint.
With the window now shut, Celtic must rely on their existing squad for the remainder of the campaign.
