Martin O’Neill names the position Celtic ‘definitely’ want to strengthen

Updated: 4 Aug 2026 14:33 BST | 4 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Martin O’Neill has revealed Celtic are “definitely” trying to sign cover for indispensable left-back Kieran Tierney this summer.

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Tierney was on song as the Bhoys opened up their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-0 home win over Dundee on Monday.

But O’Neill accepts the 29-year-old defender will need help if Celtic are to go far in four competitions this season.

Celtic have been drawn against Austrian side LASK in the Champions League playoffs, and will also compete in three domestic competitions in 2026-27.

When asked if the club are keen to sign a left-back, O’Neill told BBC Radio Scotland: “Of course, and that's something we are definitely looking at. Kieran, with the best will in the world, will not get through every single game.

“If we are going to be playing in European football one way or the other, it would be a bit like last year; he was recovering then and didn't see some games out because he puts so much into it. That's dead right. So we're looking along those lines.

Current ETV

Kieran Tierney

D (L)

Celtic

Kieran Tierney

D (L)

Celtic

ETV Range

€3.8M - €5.6M

“We've got some young lads in the academy who are very fine players, but I think it's a wee bit early for them.”

O'Neill backs Hogh to come good after rusty debut

Celtic have made just two signings so far this summer, with forwards Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran both making their league debuts against Dundee.

Duran operated on the right flank against Dundee, while club-record signing Hogh passed up a number of chances to score at Parkhead.

However, O’Neill had sympathy for Denmark international Hogh, citing his lack of preparation having only joined Celtic last week.

O’Neill said: “Kasper had a number of chances; he could have scored two or three goals quite easily. I think it was one of those evenings where you want to try and impress, and of course he wants to impress the home fans here.

"It's the first time he's played for us, he’s done some training, and he will definitely get better. There's no question about it, and he will score goals for the football club.”

And when asked for his thoughts on Duran’s performance, O’Neill added: ”For Duran, he played a little bit out of position because we haven't actually had time for them to play together yet.

“Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, we'll be able to work on that in training. He can turn people as he did on the edge of the six-yard box, brilliantly really, and crosses the ball that we could have scored from.

“That's his game; that's what he can do. From the wide right-hand side, I think sometimes the game might pass him by.”

O'Neill previously ruled out Celtic signing a centre-back

O’Neill confirmed in the lead up to the Dundee match that he and Celtic are not looking to sign a centre-back this summer.

The reigning champions are keen to sign a winger, however, with Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis and Haissem Hassan of Real Oviedo among their targets.

© IMAGO - Alistair Johnston (left) and Arne Engels (right)

But Celtic are also facing a battle to keep hold of star duo Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels, who have interest from Everton and West Ham United respectively.