O’Neill Aims for Signings Despite Celtic’s Champions League Exit
Manager Martin O’Neill remains optimistic that Celtic can still attract new players despite their recent failure to qualify for the Champions League. The team will now compete in the Europa League after suffering a 5-1 defeat to LASK in Tuesday’s play-off, allowing the Austrian club to advance with a 5-4 aggregate victory.
Celtic, the Scottish Premiership champions, have already brought in four new players as the transfer window approaches its closing next week. “I’m hoping that’s not the case,” O’Neill stated when asked if missing out on the Champions League would hinder their recruiting efforts. “We’re still trying to get some players in, we would need a few in obviously to supplement the squad. I’m hoping that we can get some people in before the transfer deadline.”
The club has faced mounting criticism from supporters, particularly regarding their transfer activities since last summer. Fans have expressed dissatisfaction following last season’s early exit from the Champions League, where they were eliminated by Kairat Almaty.
Prior to the clash with LASK, Celtic signed Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Haissem Hassan, and Mika Baur, but key players Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels left the team for Ipswich Town and West Ham United, respectively. “The Champions League is a big carrot for, particularly a lot of younger players,” O’Neill noted. “The prestige is not there the same [in the Europa League], it’s still a great competition. Obviously, the finance is still the big thing.”
Reflecting on the disappointment of Tuesday’s match, O’Neill expressed that Celtic “should’ve been out of sight by half-time,” as they led 4-1 on aggregate at that point. “We did not do well in the second half,” he admitted. “The result’s the most important thing and we got beaten. I’m obviously disappointed with myself. I have to really analyse it again. We could’ve maybe defended our box a wee bit better. I have to look at my own part before I look at anybody else’s. You have to recover pretty quickly. You really have to. We have to show real character.”
Manager Martin O’Neill hopes missing out on the Champions League will not mean Celtic miss out on prospective signings.
O’Neill’s side will feature in the Europa League after Tuesday’s 5-1 defeat by LASK after extra time, with the Austrian side winning the Champions League play-off 5-4 on aggregate.
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The Scottish Premiership holders have signed four players so far this window, which closes next week.
“I’m hoping that’s not the case,” O’Neill said, when asked about the possibility of missing out on players.
“We’re still trying to get some players in, we would need a few in obviously to supplement the squad.
“I’m hoping that we can get some people in before the transfer deadline.”
Celtic have faced criticism from supporters since last summer for the business done – or lack of it – in advance of the Champions League play-offs, which they also lost last season against Kairat Almaty.
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Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur all arrived at Parkhead before the LASK tie, but influential players Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels left for Ipswich Town and West Ham United, respectively.
“The Champions League is a big carrot for, particularly a lot of younger players,” O’Neill said.
“The prestige is not there the same [in the Europa League], it’s still a great competition. Obviously, the finance is still the big thing.”
Reflecting on “the major disappointment” of Tuesday’s loss, O’Neill admitted Celtic “should’ve been out of sight by half-time”, at which stage they led 4-1 on aggregate.
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“We did not do well in the second half,” O’Neill explained
“The result’s the most important thing and we got beaten. I’m obviously disappointed with myself. I have to really analyse it again.
“We could’ve maybe defended our box a wee bit better. I have to look at my own part before I look at anybody else’s.
“You have to recover pretty quickly. You really have to. We have to show real character.”
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