League: EPL Sport: Soccer Country: England Category: Scores & Results

Celtic pursued Emile Heskey during Martin O’Neill’s tenure

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 7, 2026, 7:35 PM

Last updated Oct 7, 2026

Celtic pursued Emile Heskey during Martin O’Neill’s tenure

Summary

Emile Heskey disclosed that Celtic attempted to sign him while Martin O’Neill managed the club. Heskey, then a prominent forward in the Premier League, opted to stay in England, favoring regular top-flight play. This revelation highlights Celtic's ongoing challenge in attracting top talent amid financial and competitive disparities. O’Neill’s efforts built a successful team that achieved league titles and a UEFA Cup final appearance, but the inability to secure Heskey illustrates historical recruitment difficulties for Celtic.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Celtic expressed interest in signing Heskey during O’Neill's first tenure.
•Heskey prioritized Premier League football over a move to Scotland.
•Celtic achieved success under O’Neill with multiple titles and a UEFA Cup final appearance.
•Celtic faces pressure after recent poor performances, including three consecutive losses.

Latest Updates

7:35 PMYahoo Sports — Celtic Transfer Twist As £10m Forward Rejected O’Neill: Could A 62-Cap Striker Have Changed Things?

What they're saying

"
Emile Heskey has revealed that Celtic tried to sign him during Martin O’Neill’s first spell in charge, but the former England forward never seriously considered leaving the Premier League.The reve...
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Liverpool Newcastle United EPL Soccer