Martin O’Neill familiar with Franko Kovacevic as speculation mounts

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The Celtic Star

·15 January 2026

Martin O’Neill familiar with Franko Kovacevic as speculation mounts

Martin O’Neill has suggested he is familiar with Franko Kovacevic amid growing speculation linking the forward with a move to Celtic…

Franko Kovacevic of NK Celje runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Paddy Barrett of Shelbourne during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between NK Celje and Shelbourne FC at Stadion Celje on December 18, 2025 in Celje, Slovenia. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

The NK Celje attacker has emerged as a reported target for the Scottish champions after an impressive run of form, having scored 11 times in 14 league matches this campaign.

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When questioned about the 26-year-old and whether he features on the club’s radar, O’Neill offered a measured response. “I think that I would, I am probably sure I have done, I have only looked at about four and a half thousand at this minute, and that is not bad since I am only in a week,” he said as reported by TCS. “So, yes, we definitely, you can tell a mile away, we need to get a centre forward.

Johnny Kenny of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“I mean, for instance, young Johnny Kenny has done really fine in the games. I think that is really harsh, to put that sort of pressure on a young lad, he has only just arrived at the football club. So, we are looking for help. I am not diverting to your thing, I am just not answering you!”

Despite returning with all three points from a narrow 1-0 away win over Falkirk, O’Neill admitted he was dissatisfied with the overall display.

Martin O’Neill and John McGlynn shake hands at the final whistle. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

He added: “We didn’t play well in the game. We saw it through, and we can play much, much better. Just seems strange in contrast to where we were so good on Saturday and tentative tonight, lost the ball in areas where we shouldn’t have been doing it.”

“Overall, I think Falkirk would have found themselves really unlucky to be behind at half-time in the game. I thought we pressed a bit better in the second half, but overall, we didn’t play well in the game.”

O’Neill’s men now face Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup fourth-round at Rugby Park on Sunday.

Conor Spence

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