Celtic have bolstered their recruitment department by bringing in long-serving Chelsea scout James Bell-Walker…
After spending the past nine years working as a Senior International Scout at Stamford Bridge, Bell-Walker has now made the switch north to link up with the Scottish Premiership champions.
The well-travelled recruitment specialist, who has previously held senior roles at Bolton Wanderers and Everton, confirmed his new position via LinkedIn, posting: “New adventure starts today. Delighted to be joining Celtic, a huge club with huge ambitions.”
Julian Araujo of Celtic
Julian Araujo of Celtic – new loan signing from Bournemouth poses with a Celtic jersey. Celtic Team Training and press conference, 2 Jan Gary 2026. Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Celtic kicked off their January business yesterday by securing Bournemouth full-back Julian Araujo on a loan deal for the rest of this season.
Attention has now turned to further reinforcements, with talks ongoing over highly rated Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi amid rival interest from Trabzonspor, while Uruguayan wide player Nacho Laquintana also remains on the club’s radar. Recruitment plans could extend further, with two centre-forwards potentially being added before the transfer window closes.
The addition of Bell-Walker comes in the wake of chief scout Jay Lefevre’s exit, with the former Head of Scouting departing for English Championship outfit Swansea City.
Chris McKay and Paul Tisdale - It's time to go
Chris McKay and Paul Tisdale, Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Meanwhile, Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale has faced mounting scrutiny following a disastrous summer window, prompting assurances from the club that their transfer processes will undergo a formal review.
Discontent over recruitment strategy has been voiced both internally and externally, with former manager Brendan Rodgers previously expressing concerns and supporters growing increasingly frustrated after attacking areas were left unaddressed ahead of Celtic’s embarrassing Champions League elimination by Kairat Almaty.
Julian Araujo of Celtic
Julian Araujo of Celtic – new loan signing from Bournemouth at Celtic Team Training on 2 January 2026. Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Araujo could go straight in this lunchtime against theRangers whether that be at right centre-back or right-wing back. Either way, the team needs supported by new additions and hopefully the Mexican adds the sufficient quality Wilfried Nancy so desperately needs.
A defeat for Nancy today – which would be his sixth in eight games – would probably be even too much for the Celtic board to ignore. A win, and it will buy him time until Dundee United next week. After all, that is the nature of life in Glasgow – which the Frenchman hasn’t seemed to grasp.
🗣️ “The Celtic players look directionless. The squad is in dire need of major surgery.”
Celtic fan Conor Spence from the Celtic Star reflects on the Motherwell defeat, Wilfried Nancy’s future and Saturday’s Old Firm – live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/SRaCuTU1aS
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 31, 2025
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Thirties – Both Volumes Half in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…
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