Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 Play off round second leg match between LASK and Celtic at on August 25, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
After missing out on a place in Europe’s top table after suffering a devastating loss to LASK on Tuesday, we are far from being a Champions League club, but Martin O’Neill says the club must aim to act like one going forward.
Losing out on a potential £40 million could well have a bearing on our transfer movement with the transfer window slamming shut at 5pm on Thursday.
But even after spending nigh on £30 million on Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Mika Baur, and Haissem Hassan, it’s still expected that the veteran Irishman will be handed the chance to add to his squad.
Mika Baur of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 Play off round second leg match between LASK and Celtic at on August 25, 2026 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Martin wants to see the club strengthen as if they were competing at the top level of European football and that means spending big on quality additions.
“I honestly think that that is the club’s aim,”said O’Neill. “We’ve brought in a couple of players that I think will do really fine for us. I’m hoping that there’s that opportunity before the transfer deadline to make the squad stronger, to make it better, to make the squad better.
“And to compete in European football, you need that.”
Martin yesterday at his media conference identified two areas of the pitch that he believes are a priority. “You would be definitely looking for a left back for Kieran(Tierney), because Kieran’s not going to, with the greatest respect, play all the games at the end of the day,”he added.
“You’d need probably need a really strong replacement for Arne Engels, a box-to-box midfield player. We definitely just would need strengthening and that’s what we’re going to try and do.”
Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo has been linked with a loan move, and being a left back he will be seen as the player to compete with Kieran Tierney.
Torino FC vs Juventus FC Photo by IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM85058271 – Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC during the Italian Serie A match Photo Nderim Kaceli Turin Italy PA Sport/ABACA – Imago.
Several players, most notably Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis have been identified as the box to box midfielder Martin is craving, but his price tag might deem a move for the Lithuanian international dead in the water, but Martin’s stance about us acting like a Champions League winner will hopefully force the Celtic Park hierarchy to make a move for the 22 year old.
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