Celtic slump to £4.8m loss as Champions League absence hits revenue

Celtic have announced a loss after tax of £4.8m for the year ending June 30, a dramatic reversal of fortune just 12 months on from posting a profit of £33.9m. The Scottish Premiership leaders attributed the shift largely to the failure to secure Champions League participation last season.

The figures show revenue down by 22.7% to £111m, compared with £143.6m in 2025, with the club reporting a cash in the bank total of £66.4m against £77.3m the previous year.

A season of turbulence at Parkhead

The 2025-26 campaign proved extraordinarily volatile behind the scenes, with Celtic going through three different managers. Brendan Rodgers departed mid-season, Wilfried Nancy was sacked after just an eight-game reign, and chairman Peter Lawwell retired in December, citing "abuse and threats".

Describing the campaign as "more turbulent than anyone would have wished for", interim chairman Brian Wilson paid tribute to Martin O'Neill and his staff for "demonstrating extraordinary resilience" to deliver a league and Scottish Cup double in the most testing of circumstances.

"The events of the past 12 months have been dramatic, sometimes joyful and at other points deeply frustrating," said Wilson. "The departure of Brendan Rodgers was an unanticipated event which initiated a period of instability. In other circumstances, the appointment of Wilfried Nancy might have worked but his arrival in mid-season and the changes which followed clearly did not."

"Parting ways with Wilfried was hugely disappointing but decisive action had to be taken. The return of the great Martin O'Neill, supported by his backroom team as well as a fine squad of players, then proved to be a triumphant success."

Summer spending and transfer business

Wilson revealed that Celtic spent £31.6m this summer to recruit Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Mika Baur, Haissem Hassan, Joel van den Berg and Jordan Lotomba, while loan deals were completed for Landon Emenalo, Shumaira Mheuka, Sam Johnstone and Oliver Sorensen. He did not, however, disclose how much had been raised from the sale of players, including Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate.

Europa League return and on-field struggles

Celtic are competing in the Europa League again this term after a shock capitulation away to LASK in the Champions League play-off. The domestic picture has also turned challenging: they are already out of the League Cup, and their Premiership lead has been cut to just two points following back-to-back defeats by Rangers.

Wilson also referenced the need to improve "communication and supporter engagement", describing that work as "ongoing", and confirmed that the search for a permanent chairman continues.