Martin O’Neill’s surprising Celtic transfer confession

Robin Bairner

14 Jan 2026 13:27 GMT
2 min read

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admits that he was left unprepared for the January transfer window having been rushed into the job following the sacking of Wilfried Nancy.

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O’Neill got a good look at the Hoops’ squad during an eight-match stint as interim boss but departed the club following the arrival of Nancy.

Once the Frenchman’s catastrophic, short-lived reign ended, the Irishman was thrust back into the hotseat and has been charged with leading Celtic to the Premiership title.

Recruitment looks necessary in order to be competitive, but the only definite move that O’Neill has taken has been to recall Stephen Welsh from Motherwell. Previously, Nancy had signed Bournemouth full-back Julian Araujo, in a smart-looking move.

Hibs’ Kieron Bowie, Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega and Hacken’s Silas Andersen are linked with the Parkhead giants, but O’Neill has admitted Celtic are behind where they should be with regards making necessary signings.

Vital to sign players, O’Neill admits

“I agree, it is vital to get players in, I’m well aware and I’m not going to minimise it,” O’Neill admitted.

“I promise I am not sitting on my backside; I’m trying my best. I’d be very hopeful of bringing a few in. I am in the process of looking at these.

“Away back in my first spell as manager, I had time to do that before I was bringing people in. I had that all prepared.

“Unfortunately, it’s me, and I haven’t got this prepared now at this minute. Because I had Christmas at home, not expecting this.”

O’Neill’s situation is complicated by a lack of support from above. Celtic’s head of football operations Paul Tisdale has also departed the club this month following a summer in which the Hoops failed to strengthen, despite making nearly €30 million in sales.