Celtic reassessing how they operate in the transfer market, says Martin O’Neill

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The Celtic Star

·11 February 2026

Celtic reassessing how they operate in the transfer market, says Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Celtic are currently reassessing how they operate in the transfer market, with the aim of avoiding a repeat of last year’s turbulent summer…

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, Glasgow, 07 February. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock/IMAGO

Although he is due to leave his managerial role at the end of the campaign, O’Neill insists the club will have a stronger and better-structured recruitment framework in place for whoever takes over next.

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Speaking via The National, O’Neill said: “I am sure that the new manager coming in, and Celtic should be on the search now, should be looking and have his own scouting system up and running.

“There will be a more robust look at how we approach the transfer market. Sometimes it does go to the last minute, but it’s about having things in place and up and running, not like last year.”

“I don’t know [who Paul Tisdale’s replacement will be], but I assume that some sort of structure will come in that takes all of that into consideration.”

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic, arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Celtic FC and FC Utrecht at Celtic Park on January 29, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

O’Neill added: “If we are signing someone permanently, then you absolutely need to factor it in. We are looking at our own policy ahead of the summer, and what we can do better, and you need to take that into consideration.”

“If you are signing someone from a much lower league, you need to think, ‘Can you handle this and do it quickly?’ But if you are signing someone who has played often in the Bundesliga, they should be able to handle it.”

“If there is going to be some communication, debate, whatever, I am really hopeful that something positive can come out of it. We have a lot of big games coming up, and that would be nice. It is really important that there is some sort of togetherness again.”

Celtic players walk off the pitch triumphant after the final whistle. Celtic won the match 3-2. theRangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Ibrox, 11 March 2018. Photo: Stuart WallaceShutterstock /IMAGO

Meanwhile, O’Neill is hoping for a vocal Celtic turnout at Ibrox when his team face theRangers in their upcoming Scottish Cup clash next month, urging the club to push for a significantly larger allocation than has been granted in recent meetings between the sides.

Under Scottish FA regulations, Celtic can receive up to 20% of Ibrox’s total seating, with the exact section for travelling fans to be determined jointly by both clubs in consultation with police.

The Celtic boss outlined: “I don’t know what the club’s stance is, but if you take me out of the club at this minute, I want all the tickets that we can get, the allocation that’s available to us under the rules, and I assume that would be forthcoming.”

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order