Solicitors have reported “significant progress” in Celtic’s efforts to settle legal claims related to historical abuse, with the potential settlement amount understood to be in the millions of pounds, according to the BBC.
Over 20 former players have initiated a class action lawsuit against the club seeking damages.
Celtic expressed its intention to resolve these cases in September.
Thompsons Solicitors has stated that the valuation of all cases has advanced over the past six months.
A spokesperson added: “We do not yet have all necessary evidence to commence settlement negotiations and so the court has granted a further short list of four months to allow opportunity to do so given the complexities of this task.”
In recent years, numerous former coaches and officials associated with the club have been convicted of sexual offenses against teenage players over several decades.
Last year, a judge approved a US-style “class action” group lawsuit to proceed against Celtic concerning alleged abuses at Celtic Boys Club.
Established in 1966 as a feeder team to the senior Celtic side, the boys’ club maintained close connections with the senior club, sharing players, officials, and facilities.
While Celtic has consistently asserted that it bears no responsibility as the boys’ club was a distinct organization, lawyers representing the former players argue that the boys’ club and Celtic were closely intertwined, rendering the senior club “vicariously liable” for the assaults.
The legal action pertains to historical allegations of sexual assault perpetrated by convicted paedophiles Jim Torbett, the founder of the Boys Club, and Frank Cairney, a former coach.
More recently, Celtic has stated that discussions with the victims’ legal representatives are ongoing.