Celtic slammed as Martin O'Neill transfer claim made

12 Oct 2026 13:57 BST 2 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes Martin O’Neill was let down in the transfer market this summer.

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The Hoops boss was appointed on a permanent basis following a hugely successful interim stint during the 2025-26 campaign, but reports surrounding his long-term future at the club were rife before the international break.

Three consecutive losses across all competitions fuelled rumours that he may depart and O’Neill even hinted that he had doubts over whether he would continue in his role.

And while Sutton has acknowledged that O’Neill shouldn’t have publicly admitted that he was considering his future at Celtic Park, he believes the Hoops boss was let down in the transfer market over the summer.

“I think he [O'Neill] was wrong to come out and say that he had doubts. I think that was a big mistake from Martin, but that's how he felt at that time,” Sutton told Sky Sports (via The Daily Record).

“I've never heard him talk like that before in his whole managerial career, but I just think if I was Martin I'd just want an easy life. What has he got going for him at Celtic at this moment in time?

“He didn't get the players he wanted, in terms of trying to compete at the highest level in Europe, so he was let down there.

“Then, he was undermined by one of his players. Cameron Carter-Vickers, a lot of admiration for him as a player, but he shouldn't be coming out publicly and undermining the tactics.

“If he did that in the sanctuary of his own dressing room, I do not have a problem with that, but it just shows where the club is at the moment - it's like the wild west. There are shots fired in every direction.”

Who did Celtic sign this summer?

While O’Neill may not have been pleased with Celtic’s transfer business this summer, the club made Kasper Hogh their all-time record signing, while they also completed the permanent signings of Haissem Hassan, Mika Baur, Camilo Duran, Joel van den Berg, and Jordan Lotomba.

In addition, Oliver Sorenson, Sam Johnstone, Shumaira Mhueka and Landon Emenalo all arrived on loan.

However, Celtic ended the summer window with a positive net spend after sanctioning the sales of Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Luis Palma, Johnny Kenny, Maik Nawrocki, Hayato Inamura and Josh Clarke.

The Bhoys secured a 2-0 win over Motherwell in their first fixture back after the international break on Sunday, and they travel to face Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday evening.