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Fullname: Marcelo Josemir Saracchi Pintos
aka: Marcelo Saracchi
Born: 23 April 1998
Birthplace: Paysandú, Uruguay
Signed: 29 August 2025 (on loan from Boca Juniors)
Left: 31 May 2026 (returned to Boca Juniors, end of loan)
Position: Left-back, Defender
Debut: TheRangers 0-0 Celtic, SP, 31 Aug 2025
Squad No.: 36
Internationals: Uruguay
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
Saracchi arrived at Celtic as a back-up loan to the returning fan favourite Kieran Tierney in 2025, after Greg Taylor had opted to move on. Little known to the support, there was some concern, as Celtic and Scottish football had a mostly woeful record with players from Latin America. However, expected to play a deputising role to Tierney, it wasn’t a big risk—given Tierney’s injury history, Saracchi was certain to feature regularly for the first team, even if often from the bench.
Argentinian football was on a high at this time, so picking a player from their league was seen as a wise move by some—a league many felt Celtic had underutilised over the years.
Season 2025/26
He arrived at an inauspicious time for the first team. Despite being league title holders, the club had mismanaged the 2025 summer transfer window, leaving the squad woefully short. This was reflected in the performances and the backlash from supporters. Saracchi’s loan was mostly overshadowed by these events, and he slipped quietly into the first team without fanfare or drama.
He made his debut as a substitute for Tierney in a goalless draw with Rangers, a match in which both sides—coming off humiliations in Europe—unsurprisingly played out a drab affair with little to write home about.
He then set up the opener in his next match, a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock (Sep 2025), and from there on, he was a steady performer when called upon.
As a player, he was officially a defender, but he was clearly better in attack than in defence. A physical player, he was willing to take on opponents with or without the ball. He had aggression, but nothing excessive, while his energy, urgency, and ability to carry the ball were notable positives in his appearances.
He was one of those rare commodities who simply got on with the job and always played for the first team.
His only real low was a disastrous performance against Motherwell (Oct 2025), when he conceded a penalty and was substituted off—yet Celtic still won 3-2. It was a rare black mark against his name.
Curiously, he had the odd lucky coincidence of being injured for much of the Wilfried Nancy era, so he was mostly unhindered by what was a disastrous time.
Effectively, when he returned to action, it was as if nothing had changed, with Martin O’Neill back as interim manager.
The support were highly relieved to see him return in February 2026. By then, Celtic had endured a nightmare period and were clinging on for dear life in the title race. O’Neill had returned for his second interim stint after the 33-day debacle of the Nancy regime. He would have been happy to have Saracchi back to boost a depleted squad.
He then scored a screamer in his second match back, a 2-1 win over Livingston, earning plaudits from everyone.
At the end of the day, despite all the positives, he mostly played second fiddle to Tierney. But as Tierney was widely regarded as player of the season and had managed to stay fit for most of the campaign, it was understandable why he was chosen ahead of the on-loan Saracchi. That isn’t to undermine Saracchi’s value or contribution, who—even in what was a trying season for any aspiring player—really proved himself. With Rodgers’ departure, the disastrous reign of Nancy, and then the two interim spells of O’Neill, it was a challenging environment. Off-field commotions and protests didn’t help either.
Despite all that, he was certainly a more developed player at the end of the season than at the start. It was great to have two functional and reliable left-backs in the squad.
However, for those questioning why Tierney was first choice ahead of Saracchi, the penultimate league match against Motherwell (3-2, May 2026) demonstrated the reasoning. When Saracchi was subbed on for Tierney, there was a noticeable difference. Down the left side, Motherwell took charge, and the team looked in danger, leading to an equaliser. Some felt Tierney was the greater all-round player, while Saracchi was more forceful in attack than defence.
Despite that, the pair added great value to the squad. In the winner-takes-all league title showdown against Hearts (3-1, May 2026), both were vital in the goals. Firstly, Tierney won the penalty for the equaliser, and later, Saracchi was subbed on. With some robust efforts, he was crucially involved in the build-up for the match winner with only three minutes of normal time left—his significant contribution to the goal went largely unheralded. The side needed fresh impetus, and Saracchi’s substitution was part of that success.
After the match, Martin O’Neill singled out Marcelo Saracchi’s contribution in the dressing room following the title-winning victory over Hearts, calling him a “special guy” and highlighting his value off the field as much as on it.
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Quotes
“We had an intense, beautiful year together where we achieved so many of our goals. My agent and I did absolutely everything within our power to make a return to Glasgow happen. I’m truly gutted I won’t be able to continue at the club at this stage of my career. However, I know our paths will cross again in the future.”
Saracchi admitting defeat on a return to Celtic (July 2026)
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2025-26 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 27 |
| Goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
Scottish Cup
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Articles
Welcome to Celtic, Marcelo Saracchi
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/august/29/welcome-to-celtic–marcelo-saracchi/
First Team
By Celtic Football Club
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29 Aug 2025, 7:13 pm
Uruguayan internationalist, Marcelo Saracchi, has joined Celtic on a season-long loan from Boca Juniors, subject to international clearance.
The 27-year-old defender, who joined Boca in 2023, has been capped nine times by his country, and he actually replaced former Celt, Diego Laxalt, when he made his international debut.
Marcelo Saracchi also has previous experience of playing against Celtic, having been in the RB Leipzig side that faced the Hoops in the UEFA Europa League back in 2018. Celtic won the home match 2-1, while they lost 2-0 in Germany.
Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers said: “I’m really pleased we have been able to bring Marcelo to the club.
“He is someone who has great ability, a very solid defender but also, as an attacking full back, he can make a real impact for us going forward.
“Having played in Argentina’s Primera Division for a number of years, Marcelo has a very good level of experience within a strong football environment, so I believe he will be an important, quality addition to our squad.”
And speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, Marcelo Saracchi said: “I’m delighted to be here. I’ve met all the boys and my overriding emotion is just of excitement and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’ve known for a little while that I was coming so there’s a lot of excitement there and I can’t wait to get started, get out and get playing, and I’m looking forward to it.
“I remember the fans at Celtic Park. They were amazing and the stadium had a great atmosphere.
“The pressure of playing for a big club is something that I thrive on. It doesn’t hinder me, it’s the opposite. I look forward to it and I think it pushes me to be better.”
Saracchi ready to ‘thrive’ under Celtic ‘pressure’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9qyz041514o
Marcelo Saracchi in Celtic trainingImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Marcelo Saracchi trained with Celtic on Friday before the deal was announced
Published
29 August 2025
Celtic’s latest signing Marcelo Saracchi says the pressure of playing for a big club makes him a better player.
The Uruguayan left-back has signed on a season-long loan from Boca Juniors, subject to international clearance.
Saracchi, 27, started his career with Danubio in his homeland, before spells with River Plate, RB Leipzig – with whom he faced Celtic in 2018 – Galatasaray and Levante.
He switched to Boca in 2023 and has won nine caps for his country.
“The pressure of playing for a big club is something that I thrive on,” Saracchi told CelticTV.
“It doesn’t hinder me, it’s the opposite. I look forward to it and I think it pushes me to be better.
“I’ve known for a little while that I was coming so there’s a lot of excitement there and I can’t wait to get started, get out and get playing, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Saracchi joins Michel-Ange Balikwisha in joining Celtic since Wednesday’s Champions League play-off defeat by Kairat, as manager Brendan Rodgers strengthens his squad late in the window.
With Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp both leaving during the summer, Saracchi provides competition for Kieran Tierney on the left side of defence.
“I’m really pleased we have been able to bring Marcelo to the club,” Rodgers said.
“He is someone who has great ability, a very solid defender but also, as an attacking full-back, he can make a real impact for us going forward.
“Having played in Argentina’s Primera Division for a number of years, Marcelo has a very good level of experience within a strong football environment, so I believe he will be an important, quality addition to our squad.”
Tounekti relishing lice\ nce to thrill at Celticpublished at 11:58 BST 22 September
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/celtic
11:58 BST 22 September
Tounekti of CelticImage source, SNS
Winger Sebastian Tounekti says the freedom manager Brendan Rodgers has given him to express himself means he has fallen in love instantly with life at Celtic.
The Tunisia winger has earned two player-of-the-match awards from his first two matches for his new club since signing from Hammarby on deadline day.
Rodgers gave Tounekti a hug of appreciation as he was replaced after starring in the League Cup win against Partick Thistle – a game that included a first goal for Celtic following a nice combination with fellow new signing Kelechi Iheanacho.
“It was amazing to get my first Celtic goal,” Tounekti – who was described as a “real Celtic winger” by Rodgers – told the club’s YouTube channel.
“Those were nice words from the gaffer. I feel like I am a confident player. I like to play with a lot of confidence and the style of play is fitting me really well.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come to Celtic was the freedom I get. I’m really happy, and happy to help the team to win games.
“It’s been a pleasure from the start at Celtic. It’s been really easy to adapt because I have so many good team-mates and staff.”
Tounekti rejected interest from other clubs to sign a five-year deal with Celtic in the final moments of the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old arrived after Celtic had been knocked out of the Champions League, but the forward is relishing the chance to play in the Europa League with his new club.
Celtic face Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday in the first of their games in the league phase of the Europa League, with matches against Sporting Braga, Sturm Graz, Midtjylland, Feyenoord, Roma, Bologna and Utrecht to follow.
“I’m really looking forward to it – one of the reasons I wanted to come to Celtic was to play matches like these,” added
“Everyone wants to play in Europe and I’m really looking forward to playing in the Europa League with Celtic.”
The perfect example of O’Neill’s man-management brilliance
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/perfect-example-oneills-man-management-133116591.html
Tino – Fan writer
Tue, May 19, 2026 at 2:31 PM GMT+1·
Celtic posted a video on their YouTube channel in the aftermath of Saturday’s celebrations titled Champions Day Paradise, and if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s well worth 20 minutes of your time.
It takes you right inside the day. The players arriving, the build-up, the warm-up, and then into the action itself.
I’ve always liked that behind-the-scenes kind of access because it gives you a small insight into the different connections between certain players, certain coaches, who clicks with who etc.
As enjoyable as the footage of the goals and the celebrations are, it was something different altogether that stood out most to me.
It’s in the moments after the win, as Martin O’Neill calls Marcelo Saracchi forward in the dressing room. A player who – until Saturday – had played a fairly modest part in Celtic’s 38-game league campaign.
Calling him a “special guy,” O’Neill singles the Uruguayan out for his contribution to the game, much to the delight of the team-mates – but especially the player himself.
Saracchi is one of the smaller players in the Celtic squad, but at that moment he must have felt 10ft tall. And this is what O’Neill does.
We’ve spoken a lot in recent weeks about his ability to get the very best out of players – sometimes more than they may even believe they’re capable of themselves. And that clip is the perfect example of it in action.
A member of our Celtic Exchange community described him recently as ‘The Kelechi Whisperer’ in terms of his ability to get the very best out of Iheanacho.
But he’s also the Saracchi Whisperer, the Daizen Maeda Whisperer and so on…
In a game increasingly driven by data, structure and systems, and at times robot-like players, there’s something refreshing about seeing that the human side still matters.
Connection still counts. So too does motivation. So too belief.
And the cliche for a manger is knowing when to put an arm round a player, and knowing when some tough love is required.
It’s not an exact science by any stretch, but O’Neill has that skill in abundance. He knows what makes his players tick. And always has done. That’s why the conversation around O’Neill’s Celtic future shouldn’t just be a sentimental one.
It’s a strategic one. Because genuine footballing intelligence – real, instinctive, man-management brilliance – is rare.
And when you’ve got it on your doorstep, you shouldn’t let it go lightly.
‘SPECIAL CHARACTER,’ O’NEILL SALUTES SARACCHI
By CQN Magazine on 19th May 2026 Latest News
MARTIN O’NEILL singled out Marcelo Saracchi for praise in the midst of Celtic’s title party after the 3-1 triumph over Hearts at Parkhead
The on-loan Uruguayan international left-back came on for Kieran Tierney at the same time Calum Osmand replaced Auston Trusty in an inspired double substitution by the Hoops interim manager.
The 28-year-old defender, whose temporary switch from Boca Juniors expires next month, and the young Welshman combined to set up Daizen Maeda for the crucial second goal against the Edinburgh club in the 87th minute.
Saracchi surged inside before doubling back onto the left before releasing a perfect through pass into the path of Osmand.
The former Fulham kid whipped in a low cross and the Japanese ace provided the finishing touch.
An erroneous offside flag from touchline assistant David Roome temporarily stalled celebrations before VAR gave the strike the green light.
Osmand rolled in the third goal in the eighth minute of stoppage-time and the rest is history.
In the midst of the dressing room celebrations, Celtic TV caught the moment O’Neill called over Saracchi, put an arm around his shoulder and said: “Special character.”
The two-word salute was hailed by the entire playing staff.
Saracchi has been an extremely dependable stand-in for Tierney and made eight starts in his 19 league appearances. Overall, he had 26 outings for the champions.
He missed the entire Wilfried Nancy 33-day fiasco as he sat out 12 consecutive games with a hamstring injury.
And, underlining his immaculate sense of timing, Saracchi scored just one goal – and it was a vitally important one in the 2-1 home win over Livingston on the February 11 evening when debutant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the stoppage-time winner.
The Celtic fans are urging the club to make the player’s move permanent.
Saracchi would certainly be a popular signing as the squad gets poised to undergo a massive revamp in the summer.