Celtic Manager Confident of Late Transfer Window Activity
Martin O'Neill has emphatically dismissed suggestions that Celtic's board are reluctant to spend money, insisting the Parkhead club are prepared to splash the cash in the final days of the transfer window. With the deadline approaching at 11pm on Monday night, the veteran manager expressed confidence that he will secure the reinforcements needed to strengthen his squad.
Addressing Supporters' Financial Concerns
Many Celtic supporters have grown anxious about the club's apparent hesitation to invest some of the £77 million reportedly sitting in bank accounts from recent financial statements. So far this month, the Glasgow giants have only completed loan deals for Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara, leaving fans questioning the club's ambition in the transfer market.
'First of all, you need to get players,' O'Neill stated firmly. 'Who is to say we might not spend money? There is a willingness. I think we'll get some in. I think we'll do as much as we can to get players in.'
Strategic Approach to Recruitment
The Celtic boss explained the careful methodology behind their transfer dealings, revealing they operate with multiple lists of potential targets. 'If you have a set of players that you think, this is it, this is your A list, and there's a B list, I'm not so sure that you want to be going down to an F list,' O'Neill elaborated, emphasising his commitment to quality over quantity.
He acknowledged the fluid nature of transfer negotiations, noting how situations can change rapidly: 'There's some things that you thought: "Yeah, that's really good and looks great" and 25 minutes later something changes like a price or somebody else comes in.'
Specific Targets and Timelines
When pressed about the exact number of signings he hopes to secure, O'Neill confirmed: 'We'll go, let's go with it, let's go for three.' He added that these would address 'certain positions' within the squad, suggesting a targeted approach to recruitment rather than wholesale changes.
The manager revealed they have 'quite a number' of potential recruits under consideration, explaining: 'Really, it would be foolish to focus on one or two and then be thwarted at the last minute. So, we have a number and most of them I think are of decent quality.'
VAR Controversy Resurfaces
Meanwhile, O'Neill has reiterated his strong criticism of the Video Assistant Referee system, claiming it is now re-refereeing football matches. The comments follow Auston Trusty's yellow card being upgraded to red after VAR intervention during Celtic's recent match at Tynecastle.
'I think that VAR have intervened on a situation where the referee gave a yellow card,' O'Neill remarked. 'My only feeling about VAR is that it is actually refereeing games now. I just don't know what the rules are anymore.'
Defending Coaching Staff
The Celtic manager also came to the defence of coach Mark Fotheringham after Hearts boss Derek McInnes expressed irritation with the conduct of what he called one of Celtic's 'less experienced' coaches during Sunday's match.
O'Neill countered: 'Mark is not inexperienced. Mark's record as a manager and assistant manager, in Germany, is extraordinary. He and Felix Magath. They saved a club from relegation.'
As the transfer deadline approaches, O'Neill remains optimistic about strengthening his squad while managing multiple off-field controversies, balancing domestic commitments with European ambitions during a challenging period for the club.
