Martin O’Neill Wants Additions Before Celtic’s Champions League Test vs LASK | OneFootball

Celtic began the defence of their Scottish Premiership title with a 1-0 victory over Dundee at Celtic Park, but Martin O’Neill made it clear afterwards that his attention has already shifted towards strengthening his squad before the club’s UEFA Champions League qualifier against LASK.

Benjamin Nygren’s second-half header proved enough to separate the sides on opening night, ensuring the champions started the new league campaign with three points after controlling large spells of the contest.

The Hoops created the better chances throughout, with new signing Kasper Høgh going close on several occasions before Nygren finally broke the deadlock early in the second half. Kieran Tierney’s excellent delivery was met by the Swedish forward, who powered a header beyond Owen Goodman to score his first league goal of the campaign.

Celtic remained largely in control after taking the lead, although Auston Trusty produced a crucial recovery challenge to deny Joe Bevan, while Viljami Sinisalo preserved the clean sheet with an important late save from Ashley Hay.

While pleased to begin the Premiership campaign with a victory, O’Neill acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side after they were drawn against Austrian champions LASK in the Champions League.

“They are Austrian champions, so it would be difficult for us,” O’Neill said.

“If that had been our first game tonight instead of here, it would have been a bit of trouble.

“But we will get a chance to have a look at them as they will do with us as well. They opened up the season with a 3-0 win, didn’t they? It will not be easy for us. There were a few other draws I wouldn’t have minded having.

“I was even prepared to travel to Almaty!

“If I thought there were other draws that we could have got, it is what it is.”

Despite securing an opening-day win, the Celtic manager admitted he is eager to strengthen his squad before the European tie, stressing the importance of giving new arrivals time to settle into the group.

“I would like to do that,” he said when asked if additions were needed before facing LASK.

“I would definitely like to do that. I think the most important thing of all is obviously getting the players in and getting them to work with each other.

“This is the point.

“Kasper is getting to know the players’ names as much as anything else and getting players to play together. Even if it was only on the practice field. Just to get that mindset as much as anything else.”

The victory over Dundee provides the ideal start to Celtic’s domestic title defence, but O’Neill’s comments underline that he believes further recruitment is required if the club is to be fully prepared for the challenge of returning to Europe’s elite competition.

With a trip to Kilmarnock to come before the first leg against LASK, Celtic have started the season positively. However, O’Neill’s message was unmistakable: the squad still needs reinforcing if it is to compete on multiple fronts in the months ahead.