Blackburn rivalling Celtic to sign ‘quality’ free agent who Mowbray personally wants

Celtic have spent the week rebuilding their squad without allowing the transfer scramble to interrupt their Premiership momentum.

Martin O’Neill now has 10 summer recruits, with six arriving during a burst of business before Wednesday’s European registration deadline.

REUTERS/Lee Smith

Oliver Sørensen, Sam Johnstone, Shumaira Mheuka and Landon Emenalo joined on loan, before permanent deals for Joel van den Berg and Jordan Lotomba completed the late rush.

That group followed earlier signings Camilo Durán, Kasper Høgh, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur, leaving O’Neill with fresh options throughout his team.

There has been movement in the opposite direction too.

Reo Hatate joined Burnley and Johnny Kenny signed for Preston, while Arne Engels had already left for West Ham.

Celtic have been replacing established players as well as increasing competition for places. Several newcomers are still settling in, but the results have remained strong domestically.

Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Aberdeen made it four league wins from four and lifted the champions to 12 points.

Durán, Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun scored before the interval, allowing O’Neill to introduce Sørensen and Mheuka from the bench with the contest under control.

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

The next test promises to be more demanding.

Celtic visit St Mirren on Saturday, and the hosts are unbeaten themselves, sitting second and only two points behind O’Neill’s men.

O’Neill has nevertheless left the door open to further recruitment, saying after the Aberdeen match that he would welcome another addition even after the European deadline.

With midfield departures still shaping Celtic’s thinking, an experienced player available without a transfer fee could offer another route.

Will Smallbone is one name now being linked, with journalist Michael Shearer identifying the Republic of Ireland international and free agent as a possible Celtic target.

There is, however, reported interest elsewhere.

Blackburn rivalling Celtic for Will Smallbone on free transfer

TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook says Blackburn Rovers are among several Championship clubs looking at Smallbone, with manager Tony Mowbray personally keen to take him to Ewood Park.

The midfielder, who Millwall boss Alex Neil called ‘quality’ last season, is 26 and became a free agent after Southampton allowed his contract to expire this summer.

His departure ended an 18-year association with the Saints, where he progressed through the academy and helped the club win promotion in 2024.

He has also experienced Championship football during loans at Stoke and Millwall, with his most recent temporary stint at the Den disrupted by a hamstring injury which kept him out for a large portion of 25/26.

For Celtic, his availability removes the need to negotiate a fee with another club, and more importantly, he can be signed after the deadline.

Crucially, Blackburn can also pursue eligible free agents despite England’s transfer window having closed.

Smallbone’s next destination remains undecided, and Celtic’s interest has not progressed yet.

If O’Neill wants him, Blackburn’s presence gives Celtic another factor to consider while preparations continue for Saturday’s trip to Paisley and another important league test.