NafisaCeltic may have opened their Scottish Premiership title defence with a 1-0 victory over Dundee, but Martin O’Neill made it crystal clear afterwards that the champions are nowhere near finished in the transfer market.
While much of the post-match discussion centred around Benjamin Nygren’s winning goal and the encouraging first appearances of new arrivals Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, the Celtic boss quietly dropped a major transfer update that could shape the remainder of the summer window.
Despite collecting all three points on flag day, O’Neill admitted there are still important areas of his squad that require strengthening before the transfer deadline, especially with another European campaign just around the corner.
One position, in particular, has now become an urgent priority.
Speaking after the match, O’Neill confirmed Celtic are actively searching for another left-back to support Kieran Tierney, acknowledging the Scotland international cannot be expected to carry the workload across an entire campaign.
He said:
“Of course, and that’s something we are definitely looking at. Kieran, with the best will in the world, will not get through every single game.”
The Celtic boss explained that balancing domestic football with European commitments makes additional depth essential.
“If we are going to be playing in European football one way or the other, it would be a bit like last year; he was recovering then and didn’t see some games out because he puts so much into it. That’s dead right. So we’re looking along those lines.”
Although the club has promising youngsters progressing through the academy, O’Neill believes relying on them this season would be asking too much.
“We’ve got some young lads in the academy who are very fine players, but I think it’s a wee bit early for them.”
O’Neill also defended his two summer recruits after their first competitive appearances in Celtic colours.
Kasper Hogh, who arrived from Bodo/Glimt in an £11 million move, created several excellent opportunities but couldn’t find the net. The manager insisted the Danish striker’s goals will come once he fully settles into the squad.
“Kasper had a number of chances; he could have scored two or three goals quite easily. I think it was one of those evenings where you want to try and impress, and of course he wants to impress the home fans here.”
“It’s the first time he’s played for us, he’s done some training, and he will definitely get better. There’s no question about it, and he will score goals for the football club.”
Camilo Duran also received praise despite operating slightly out of position.
“For Duran, he played a little bit out of position because we haven’t actually had time for them to play together yet.”
“He can turn people as he did on the edge of the six-yard box, brilliantly really, and crosses the ball that we could have scored from. That’s his game; that’s what he can do.”
With Celtic now openly confirming they are targeting another signing before the transfer window closes, supporters can expect further activity at Parkhead as O’Neill looks to strengthen his squad for another title challenge and the demands of European football.
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