NafisaCeltic may have started the new Scottish Premiership season with three points, but Martin O’Neill has already made it clear that his summer business is far from finished.
The Hoops looked comfortable during their opening victory over Dundee, with several of their key players producing encouraging performances as they began another campaign with optimism.
Yet despite the winning start, O’Neill knows there are still weaknesses within his squad that must be addressed before the transfer window slams shut.
Supporters have spent much of the summer focusing on potential attacking additions, but the Celtic manager has now revealed that strengthening another position has become an immediate priority.
Speaking after the 1-0 victory over Dundee, O’Neill confirmed the Scottish champions are actively searching for a new left-back to provide competition and cover for Kieran Tierney.
Asked whether Celtic still needed another player in that position, O’Neill left little doubt.
«”Of course, of course, and that’s something we are definitely looking at.»
«”Kieran, with the best will in the world, will knock it through every single game, and if we are going to be playing in European football one way or the other, whatever it may be, yeah, it was a wee bit like last year.»
«”He was recovering and didn’t see some games out because he put so much into it, but I think that’s dead right, so we are looking along that way.”»
Tierney once again demonstrated his importance by producing the cross that created Benjamin Nygren’s winning goal against Dundee, delivering one of the standout performances of the afternoon.
However, O’Neill accepts the Scotland international cannot be expected to shoulder the workload on his own throughout a demanding domestic and European schedule.
The Celtic boss also acknowledged the club have promising youngsters coming through the academy but admitted it would be unfair to place that level of responsibility on them so early in their development.
«”We’ve got some young lads in the academy, very, very fine players, but I think it’s a wee bit early for them.”»
With Marcelo Saracchi no longer at the club, Tierney currently remains Celtic’s only recognised senior left-back.
That lack of depth became evident against Dundee when Alistair Johnston finished the match on the left-hand side after Tierney was substituted.
As Celtic prepare for another busy campaign that includes European football, O’Neill is determined to avoid relying too heavily on one player.
The Hoops manager has already confirmed the club are continuing to work on further additions ahead of their upcoming Champions League qualifier, and finding another dependable left-back has now become one of the club’s biggest priorities before the transfer window closes.
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