As the January transfer window rumbles on, Celtic's primary business appears to be holding onto their most prized assets rather than welcoming new ones. Manager Martin O'Neill has been forced to publicly bat away speculation linking his club captain, Callum McGregor, with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.
McGregor Speculation Casts Shadow Over Parkhead
The source of the rumour is a familiar face. Brendan Rodgers, who is now managing Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, is a long-term admirer of the midfielder. Rodgers joked about his relief that McGregor turned down a move to Leicester City when he was in charge there, and it is understood he would welcome a reunion in the Middle East.
For O'Neill, in his third spell as Celtic boss, the potential loss of his 32-year-old captain in the middle of a turbulent season is an unthinkable prospect. O'Neill described McGregor as the team's "talisman" and "driving force", highlighting his crucial goal against St Mirren during the manager's previous interim stint.
"I would obviously be disappointed if somebody came in at the last minute and whisked him away," O'Neill stated firmly. "I don't want to see that happening." While acknowledging McGregor deserves a big payday after his stellar service, O'Neill's message was clear: now is not the time.
Schmeichel Retains Manager's Faith Despite Criticism
Another veteran whose position has been scrutinised is goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. The 39-year-old Dane has faced criticism from some fans after a saveable shot from Mikey Moore found its way past him last weekend.
However, O'Neill is standing by his experienced shot-stopper. He pointed to Schmeichel's past heroics, including a vital save in a semi-final against Rangers and another in the Champions League against Feyenoord. "Kasper's got a lot of experience, I think he's a really, really terrific goalkeeper," O'Neill said, attributing some recent issues to the ill-fated tactical system of former boss Wilfried Nancy.
O'Neill indicated he is reluctant to immediately promote deputy Viljami Sinisalo, instead focusing on simplifying the team's approach and restoring confidence. "You just take responsibility for your own performance," was his message to Schmeichel, who is expected to start against Dundee United.
Back to Basics as O'Neill Seeks Stability
After a chaotic period under Nancy, O'Neill's immediate plan is to return to fundamental principles. He hinted at a shift back to a familiar 4-3-3 formation, arguing against overcomplicating instructions for players.
"Brian Clough, a magician, never gave us new instructions like 24 hours before the game," O'Neill recalled. "The things that he preached were real simplicity. So, that's the way I would go about it."
This philosophy is likely to see a recall for defender Liam Scales, who was a peripheral figure under Nancy but praised by O'Neill for his performances during the manager's previous spell in charge. Scales is expected to partner Austin Trusty in central defence as O'Neill looks to stabilise his back line.
With the club struggling to secure the high-calibre signings O'Neill has called for, and key players like McGregor facing uncertain futures, the new manager's third debut at Celtic Park comes at a critical juncture. His immediate task is not to revolutionise, but to steady a ship that has been rocked by instability both on and off the pitch.
