Danny Rohl could block Celtic move for RB Salzburg star in final Rangers favour - expert

Danny Rohl could do Rangers one last favour as he plans to block RB Salzburg star Bobby Clark from joining Celtic this summer.

The 21-year-old is believed to be high on Martin O'Neill's list as they plan to strengthen in midfield, but it will now be difficult to agree terms following the change in manager.

Rohl is assessing his Salzburg squad ahead of his imminent appointment, and currently has no plans to let any of his first-team stars move on.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Clark is unlikely to be allowed to leave Salzburg despite Celtic's plan to make an offer.

While his Rangers allegiances are unlikely to play a key role in his decision, Rohl could do his former club one final favour by stopping their rivals landing a top target.

Clark is likely to play a key role for the Austrian giants next season, and the new manager hopes to keep him around rather than risk losing key players.

Football Insider predicted on 14 June that Rohl could ruin Celtic's transfer plans by preventing a move for Clark, and that looks set to be the case, at least in the short-term.

Following his appointment, the new boss is keen to analyse his squad and he will assess all of his players when they return for pre-season training next month.

Celtic could be the first club to suffer from that decision, with Clark now unlikely to leave Salzurg until closer to the end of the window.

"Rohl could play a big role in whether Clark joins Celtic," Brown told Football Insider.

"I don't necessarily think he'll go in and actively stop any player joining Celtic, it would be unrealistic to expect that.

"But I would be surprised if any player was allowed to leave there in the near future so soon after he's set to join.

"As with any manager, he will want to go into Salzburg and assess his players, where they might fit into his team, into his squad, and whether they might not.

"He'll want to have a look at them and how they perform in pre-season, how they adapt to the change of manager and how they respond to his tactical changes.

"A decision may well be made to let Clark leave, but it's not something that will happen until the end of the window, so it depends on whether Celtic or any other club are prepared to wait."

Clark spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Derby County, where he was able to reignite the strong form he showed before his move to the Austrian Bundesliga.

Those performances have attracted high-profile interest, not just from Celtic, but from a number of top clubs across European football.

However, Football Insider revealed last month that Derby are keen to sign Clark on a permanent deal and could push to agree terms before rival clubs can swoop.

The East Midlands outfit are aware that their chances of securing the midfielder long-term are likely to hinge on his price tag, which could make any deal difficult.

Following Rohl's appointment, meanwhile, he is unlikely to be allowed to complete any move away until he has been assessed by the new boss.