Celtic has placed Marc Leonard at the top of their wishlist for the 2026/27 season, according to reports by Pete O’Rourke. The 24-year-old Scottish midfielder has been generating attention during a successful loan spell at Hearts from Birmingham City. Celtic scouts are closely monitoring his performance and intend to keep an eye on him throughout the remainder of the season.
Celtic Targets Marc Leonard Amid Summer Midfield Overhaul
Leonard joined Tynecastle in January as a replacement for the injured Cammy Devlin, a decision that proved beneficial as he quickly secured a spot in the starting lineup. He has contributed one goal and three assists in 12 games, but those figures don’t fully capture his contribution. His true worth lies in his ability to maintain ball circulation, his intelligent positioning, and his skill in navigating through tight spaces.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was spotted in the stands at Tynecastle on Monday to observe Leonard in action, indicating that interest in the midfielder is intensifying. Clubs across Europe are also tracking his progress, and Birmingham City will not entertain offers below a substantial seven-figure fee.
“He’s a player that’s impressed a great deal up in Scotland this season; he’s been instrumental for Hearts. He’s been one of their most crucial players during the second half of the season, and Celtic will certainly be aware of him,” an industry expert stated. “Leonard has been on their radar for quite some time, even before his move to Hearts. He remains under contract at Birmingham for another two years, so Birmingham’s plans for him remain unclear.”
“I’m confident he’s a player Celtic are considering, but competition for his signature will be fierce if Birmingham decides to let him leave,” the source added.
Leonard previously spent four years in the Hearts academy before being signed by Brighton at the age of 16. He has made 64 appearances for Birmingham over 18 months before this current loan. However, one critique of his game is that he can occasionally play it too safe; he doesn’t frequently push the ball into the final third, which may limit his impact in forward positions at a higher level.
Do Celtic Need Leonard More Than They Realize?