Martin O'Neill issues Celtic transfer warning

Cameron Smith

27 Nov 2025 03:47 CST
3 min read

Interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill believes the Scottish giants need to spend big in the transfer market over the next few years if they want to consistently challenge in Europe.

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The Bhoys were knocked out by Kazakhstan side Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-offs this season and they are therefore competing in the Europa League this term, having failed to reach Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2021-22.

However, Celtic have only picked up four points from their opening four Europa League fixtures in 2025-26 and they travel to Rotterdam to take on Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord on Thursday evening in a bid to climb up the league phase table.

O’Neill, who has been in interim charge since Brendan Rodgers’ resignation in October, is expected to be replaced by Wilfried Nancy next week, with Celtic close to finalising a deal for the Columbus Crew boss to become their new head coach.

Speaking ahead of what is believed to be his penultimate game in charge, O’Neill revealed that Celtic must fix their issues in the transfer market if they want to establish themselves as regular challengers in European football.

Celtic receive official transfer message

“Recruitment is essential,” O’Neill admitted to reporters (via The Daily Mail). “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 [after reaching Champions League knockout stages]. Then you step back again and it’s not so strong.

“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.

© IMAGO - Wilfried Nancy is on the verge of being appointed as the new Celtic boss

“I know people always say about January being a difficult window, and it may well be.

“But if you’re talking about rebuilding the football club to be able to compete in Europe and to be able to not have a big intake of breath when someone expects you to go to Feyenoord and win, then that is the point.

“Jock Stein said it - European football is where Celtic should be. But at this minute it’s a struggle for us.”

Celtic spent €15.1 million on five new permanent signings over the summer, however Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Shin Yamada have only started three league games between them and Hayato Inamura has been included in a measly two matchday squads.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Tounekti has scored just two goals and has already been linked with an exit, and Benjamin Nygren is yet to appease himself to the fanbase, despite registering 11 goal contributions.

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