The Celtic board are once again in the firing line this season, and the latest to add his voice to the growing wave of criticism is veteran pundit Hugh Keevins. Known for his uncompromising views and often sensational takes on all things Celtic, Keevins has developed a reputation as one of the club’s harshest critics. Yet, despite his sometimes exaggerated delivery, there are occasions when the outspoken broadcaster strikes a chord with supporters — and on this occasion, many would argue he has done exactly that.
Speaking on Superscoreboard, Keevins launched a fierce assessment of the current state of affairs at Parkhead, blaming the club’s hierarchy for what he described as a series of poor decisions in the transfer market. He claimed that the Celtic board’s failure to adequately replace key players who left over the summer has left the squad littered with “mediocre” signings — a situation that has directly contributed to the team’s noticeable decline this season.
Keevins did not hold back, accusing Celtic of trying to “bluff their way into the Champions League” rather than seriously addressing the need for quality reinforcements. According to him, the warning signs were there long before the current crisis, pointing to the club’s defeat to Aberdeen in the cup final as the moment that should have triggered major alarm bells within the boardroom.
“The decline is alarming,” Keevins said. “The cup final against Aberdeen should have been the red flag for everyone connected to the club. But instead of facing reality and improving the squad, the board spent the summer refusing to engage properly with the transfer market. They tried to bluff their way into the Champions League and failed to replace the quality players who had gone out the door. Now, in 2025, Celtic are left with mediocrity where there used to be excellence — and they’re reaping what they sowed.”
The journalist went on to criticise both the board and, to an extent, manager Brendan Rodgers, suggesting that neither seemed to take the warning signs seriously enough. In his view, even after the loss in the cup final, there was a lack of urgency or recognition of just how far standards had slipped.
Keevins’ comments come amid mounting frustration among the Celtic fanbase, who have voiced their displeasure over the club’s summer transfer dealings. Demonstrations against the board have become increasingly common at Parkhead, with many supporters accusing chairman Peter Lawwell and the recruitment team of lacking ambition and foresight.
The situation is further complicated by uncertainty surrounding Rodgers’ future. Reports suggest the manager could depart at the end of the season, raising serious questions about how the club will approach the upcoming January transfer window. Keevins argued that this only adds to the club’s woes, as decisions made in the next few months will shape Celtic’s short-term future — yet the trust between the fans, the board, and even the management team appears to be at an all-time low.
“Now Celtic are in trouble,” Keevins warned. “They can’t change anything until the January window opens, and even then, who would you trust to spend the money? Given the record of recent signings, that’s the biggest question facing the club right now.”
He also highlighted the ongoing confusion about who exactly is responsible for Celtic’s recruitment. Rodgers has previously suggested that some of the players currently in the squad were “club signings” — implying that he had limited influence over certain transfers. For Keevins, this lack of clarity is part of the wider problem at Parkhead.
“The issue now is simple,” he added. “If Rodgers doesn’t have full control over signings, then who does? And if the people making those calls are the same ones who oversaw the last window, why should anyone have faith that the next one will be any different?”
In Keevins’ eyes, Celtic’s predicament is not the result of bad luck or isolated mistakes — it’s the product of long-term complacency and poor leadership. His warning is clear: without accountability and a proper rebuild, the club could find themselves slipping further behind both domestically and in Europe.
For many fans, Keevins’ words may be difficult to hear, but they echo a growing sentiment among the support. After years of dominance, Celtic appear to be a team losing direction, and unless decisive action is taken, the consequences of this decline could be felt for seasons to come.
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