Interim manager Martin O'Neill has issued a stark warning that Celtic's squad requires a major overhaul if the Scottish champions are to become competitive in European football once more.
European Struggles Highlight Rebuild Need
The call for a significant rebuild comes as Celtic prepare for their Europa League clash against Feyenoord in Rotterdam on Thursday evening. This match represents O'Neill's potential European farewell before he hands over to incoming boss Wilfried Nancy early next week.
Celtic's European campaign has been deeply disappointing, beginning with their shock exit from the Champions League qualifiers against Kairat Almaty. Their performances have failed to improve since dropping into the Europa League, with poor summer recruitment being a key factor in former manager Brendan Rodgers' departure.
O'Neill's Final Message: Recruitment is Essential
The 73-year-old interim manager, who expects to take charge for the final time against Hibernian on Sunday, emphasised that recruitment is absolutely essential for the club's future European ambitions.
"Recruitment is essential," O'Neill stated. "It's really important. I think last year in terms of Europe it was like a nice, shining light, as if you could push on. Then you step back again and it's not so strong."
He acknowledged the challenges ahead, suggesting: "In the next couple of years, Celtic will come again in European football. They might just have to step back for a while at this minute. But recruitment is really important."
New Manager Under Pressure to Win Immediately
With Celtic in the final stages of talks with Nancy, the 48-year-old Frenchman is expected to be in Glasgow this weekend and could watch from the stands at Easter Road. Barring any last-minute issues, he will be officially unveiled as Rodgers' permanent successor early next week.
O'Neill didn't mince words about the expectations facing the new manager, stating: "He has to win - and he has to win right from the off. You've got to win. Celtic over the last 20 years have obviously been the dominating force in Scottish football."
The interim boss explained that immediate success provides "a bit of respite" and then allows a manager to "build a team in your manner, whatever that manner may be."
Currently sitting with four points from four games, Celtic face a crucial match against Robin van Persie's Feyenoord at the notoriously hostile De Kuip Stadium. A victory would revitalise their European campaign and give them a chance of progression, while also providing O'Neill with a memorable European send-off.
Reflecting on his potential farewell, O'Neill admitted: "That would be nice. Listen, I have no doubt that there is difficulty ahead of us. But it would be nice to do that. So it would be lovely to leave on a good note."
He realistically assessed their chances, noting that ten points would likely secure progression, meaning they would need to win two more games - a challenging task given their remaining fixtures include a match against Serie A leaders Roma.
