Martin O’Neill is back at the helm of Celtic, but while his return has lifted spirits, the legendary boss is under no illusions about the scale of the task ahead or the financial constraints that might come with it.
O’Neill has made it clear he’s not expecting a spending spree this January, but insists the club must provide at least some backing in the transfer market if they’re serious about salvaging the season.
“I’m not saying that we’re going to break any sort of transfer records. I’m sure that will not be the case,” O’Neill admitted to TCW.
“I’m hoping that there is leeway then to be able to do things. I will be in a better position to know in the next couple of days.”
The veteran manager knows Celtic sit behind both Rangers and Hearts in the table, and with Champions League football and the title race on the line, recruitment is key.
The squad is light in several areas, and the January window represents a crucial chance to turn things around.
The squad desperately needs quality to claw back the gap. Hearts and Rangers are now ahead of Celtic, and have the momentum behind them, while Celtic have just two wins in the last 8 in all competitions, a form that led to Nancy getting the sack.
Chris Sutton is adamant that Martin O’Neill would’ve been given guarantees before accepting to come back to the job.
Celtic have got money in the bank, and it needs to be spent this summer, or that rainy day that the club have been preparing for will come back to back years.