Veteran manager Martin O'Neill has made an immediate demand for a list of transfer targets upon his sensational return to Celtic, as the club scrambles to turn around a faltering season.
O'Neill's Urgent Recruitment Drive
The 73-year-old Northern Irishman is back in the Parkhead hotseat for the second time this season, following the abrupt end to Wilfried Nancy's disastrous 33-day reign. With the club trailing league leaders Hearts by six points with 18 games remaining, O'Neill has instructed his backroom team, including coach Shaun Maloney, to swiftly identify potential new signings.
"We definitely need to supplement the squad, absolutely no question about that," O'Neill stated emphatically. He revealed he will lean heavily on the knowledge of Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, and Stephen McManus for player recommendations, but stressed the final decision would be his. "If they don’t do well, I’ll blame Shaun! And if they do brilliantly, then I shall take all the credit!" he joked.
Addressing a Critical January Window
O'Neill acknowledged the difficulty of the January market but insisted activity is essential, partly to address a summer transfer window widely criticised for its failings. "I would be hoping for it but, if the board were to listen to me, then we would have about 56 players, so I will try and narrow it down," he said.
A key priority is retaining Japanese winger Daizen Maeda, who was close to joining Wolfsburg last summer. "I’d love him to stay. It’d be actually really important for him to stay," O'Neill admitted, though he conceded he needed to speak to the player to ascertain his current mindset.
Navigating a Tight Title Race
O'Neill recognises the scale of the challenge, identifying a three-way fight for the Premiership with Hearts and Rangers. He praised the momentum of Hearts and the enduring threat of their Glasgow rivals, but believes his squad is up for the battle ahead. His immediate task is to lift spirits after a tough run, with a home match against Dundee United on Saturday.
He also expressed sympathy for his predecessor, Nancy, suggesting the Frenchman was unlucky during his short tenure. O'Neill hinted at a tactical shift, likely moving away from Nancy's 3-4-3 and back to a 4-3-3 formation that brought success during his first interim spell, where he won seven out of eight games.
Despite answering chairman Dermot Desmond's call once more, O'Neill was unequivocal about his long-term future. "I wouldn’t be thinking any longer than the end of the season for me, regardless of what happens," he stated, citing his age and a desire for the club to find a permanent solution in the summer.
