Martin O'Neill makes fresh Celtic transfer plea

Cameron Smith

15 Jan 2026 09:33 GMT
4 min read

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill has urged fans to be patient in regards to any potential January signings.

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The Hoops have been heavily linked with signing a number of players during the winter window, but the loan acquisition of Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo is the only piece of business the club have completed thus far.

Current ETV

Julián Araujo

D (R)

Celtic

Julián Araujo

D (R)

Celtic

ETV Range

€12.6M - €15.4M

Celtic are expected to prioritise the addition of a new centre forward before the end of the mid-season window, with the club rekindling their interest in Chelsea outcast David Datro Fofana after accepting defeat in their pursuit of Birmingham City’s Kyogo Furuhashi.

The reigning Scottish Premiership champions have also been linked with moves for Callum Wilson, who has been tipped to terminate his contract at West Ham United, Franko Kovacevic, who has netted 11 goals in 14 league matches for Slovenian side NK Celje so far this term, and Hibernian star Kieron Bowie.

O’Neill, who was reappointed as interim boss following the sacking of Wilfried Nancy earlier this month, has already confirmed his desire for reinforcements to arrive at Celtic Park before Deadline Day, but he is aware that time is needed to identify the right signings.

© IMAGO - Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana

Martin O’Neill issues Celtic transfer message

“We're making progress on things and certainly by the end of the window we should have some players to supplement this squad,” O’Neill told BBC Scotland following his side’s 1-0 win over Falkirk on Wednesday evening.

“I thought my time was done here, so I wasn't expecting to pick up the pieces again and look at players. Just give us a little bit of time, cut me a little bit of slack and we'll be OK.

“The focus is to try and win some football matches, but the other aspect to it is to add a bit of extra quality to help the players out here.”

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