Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has refuted claims that he sought transfer assurances from majority shareholder Dermot Desmond before agreeing to remain at the helm this summer. Despite a sluggish start to the transfer window, O'Neill expressed confidence in the club's hierarchy and their efforts to secure new signings.
O'Neill's Stance on Transfer Guarantees
Speaking to the media, O'Neill stated: "No, I didn't. I didn't put anything at all. I just hope that we can do some business at the end of it all. But no, I didn't put any assurances." He added that he trusts Desmond based on their long-standing relationship, saying, "Maybe it's the fact that I know the owner of the football club for some time and I genuinely believe that he will come up and help when trying to get things over the line."
The Hoops have made only one signing so far—£6million striker Camilo Duran—with less than three weeks until the flag day. O'Neill acknowledged the need for more arrivals but dismissed any notion of broken promises.
Transfer Window Progress
O'Neill revealed that the club is making progress on potential deals. "We are making some sort of progress on that, as we have been for a while. It just takes a wee bit of time. Obviously, agreeing terms with the football club, agreeing terms with the players. But we have a couple of people that we think we can do," he said.
Despite fans' frustration and rivals Rangers and Hearts strengthening their squads, O'Neill remains unfazed. He praised the recruitment team's efforts: "On the recruitment side, honestly, they're working day and night. I'm in constant talks with them every single day. Genuinely, I'm really pleased with what they're doing. So, no, I'm not perturbed at this minute."
Head of Recruitment Role Delayed
Plans to appoint a new head of recruitment have been put on the back burner. The club has been without a permanent successor since Paul Tisdale was dismissed in January. Mark Cooper, a South American talent spotter, has been leading scouting operations. O'Neill confirmed that assistant manager Shaun Maloney is no longer involved in talent identification.
O'Neill said: "They're looking at that at this minute. Obviously, there's a process. They want to do that, but it's not at the top of the list at this minute." He praised Cooper's work: "Mark Cooper has been doing really well for us. He's identified players over the last 10 or 12 years for us. Some really fine players." When asked if an appointment could be delayed until January, O'Neill replied: "It might be. I think Mark's filling that type of role, head scout, whatever you call it, pretty well."
World Cup Scouting
O'Neill has been monitoring the World Cup but is cautious about signing players based on tournament performances. "Generally speaking, I wouldn't want to take somebody from the World Cup because you're seeing a different player to the one that plays normal league games, either good or bad," he explained.
He recalled an exception: "I did it for the Euros in 2000 when Joos Valgaeren was playing for Belgium. I thought, well, he's very quick, he's aggressive and he was brilliant. He was just exactly what we wanted to play." However, O'Neill noted that modern players maintain fitness better, and he often has prior knowledge of World Cup performers from league matches.
