The Irishman took over as interim manager a month ago today, following Brendan Rodgers’ departure.
While Rodgers has yet to explain his resignation, an informed estimate would be that recruitment and failure to reach the Champions League were significant factors in his decision.
Celtic have profited during the last two transfer windows. Kyogo Furuhasi, Nicolas Kuhn, and Adam Idah have all been sold. Shin Yamada, Kelechi Iheanacho, Callum Osmand, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Sebastian Tounekti have not replaced the missing goals.
Throughout his tenure as manager, O’Neill has avoided squad difficulties.
Celtic have won four of their five matches, but suffered a heavy defeat in Midtjylland, a well-run club with less than one-third of Celtic’s turnover.
O’Neill is set to be replaced by Wilfried Nancy within the next week, once the January transfer market opens.
Ahead of Celtic’s match against Feyenoord, the interim manager was forthright in his demands.
The Sun reports. O’Neill says:
If you have recruited a manager, that is fantastic, but player recruiting is critical.
Last year in Europe, it felt like a bright light, as if you could go on. Then you take a step back, and it’s not as strong.
Celtic will return to European football within the next several years. They may need to take a step back for a moment, but recruitment is critical right now.
I know people usually say that January is a difficult month, and that may be true.
But if you’re talking about developing the club to compete in Europe and not having to take a deep breath when someone expects you to win at Feyenoord, that’s the purpose.
Jock Stein stated that Celtic should compete in European football. However, we are currently struggling.
EUROPE’S STRUGLES
Tonight’s match will be in Rotterdam; in two weeks, Nancy might face Roma at Celtic Park.
Work on the January transfer window should be well begun, as the club has admitted that mistakes were made in the summer.
The pressure is now on Michael Nicholson and Paul Tisdale to deliver the results the squad needs to win the SPFL Premiership.
Returning to the media, O’Neill will be able to provide a true insider’s perspective on Celtic’s January activities.
Celtic fans will pay close attention to January transfer activity.
On December 31, 2021, Celtic signed Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Yosuke Ideguchi. January does not have to be a stressful period. That is the standard against which Celtic fans will measure the January 2026 business.
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