‘Supply teacher’ Martin O’Neill says Celtic squad needs bolstering

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The Celtic Star

·9 gennaio 2026

‘Supply teacher’ Martin O’Neill says Celtic squad needs bolstering

Following Wilfried Nancy’s departure from Celtic and Martin O’Neill’s return, the new Celtic manager has said in his most recent press conference that, whilst he felt like a ‘supply teacher’ during his interim term earlier in the season, he will now settle in for the rest of the season and has advised that the squad will definitely need bolstering.

Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill speaks at a mainstream conference on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at Lennoxtown after returning to the club following the sacking of Wifred Nancy. Photo Andy Buchanan Shutterstock

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O’Neill advised the media that there is ‘absolute no question about that’ when discussing the January transfer window. Whether the board will allow O’Neill to go after the targets he wishes remains to be seen. However, Paul Tisdale’s departure, alongside Nancy, means there is a vacancy in the head of football operations at the club, which may well free up how Celtic do business in the coming window.

O’Neil has said that the club must go ‘all out’ in the coming window to make sure they are in the best position possible to claw back six points from Hearts. For those wagering on no kyc betting sites with their anonymity and vast markets, the odds for Celtic winning the league are likely to vastly shorten should O’Neil manage a winning return against Dundee United on Saturday and bring in some extra players to the squad. In terms of the team’s chances of winning the league, bookmakers are currently giving Celtic odds of 11/8.

Julian Araujo of Celtic – new loan signing from Bournemouth poses with a Celtic jersey. Celtic Team Training and press conference, 2 Jan Gary 2026. Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Julian Araujo has already arrived on loan from Bournemouth, but the right back came on against the defeat to theRangers and made little impact. However, given that Ralston is in poor form, Araujo will want to make that position his own in the coming weeks. O’Neil will likely revert to the system he was using during his previous interim term, which was solid and worked for the team, a far cry from Nancy’s shambolic attempt to morph the team into a 3-5-2 formation. This change is set to favour Araujo.

It has emerged that O’Neil is now close to bringing in Bull Bragantino winger Ignacio Laquintana. Reports suggest that the clubs are now in talks about a possible transfer for the Uruguayan international, who has two caps for his country and has played his entire career in South America for the likes of Santos and Penarol. He would be a welcome addition on the wing, given there has been little penetration in those positions this season.

Celtic v Falkirk 29.10.2025 Scottish Premiership. Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney, Gavin Strachan and Mark Fotheringham Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

O’Neil has brought back Shaun Maloney in the coaching staff, along with other ex-players, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus. Maloney, according to O’Neill, has been ‘working in the background’ on things regarding recruitment.

The club is allegedly continuing its negotiations with Hapoel Petah Tikva winger Jocelin Ta Bi, with reports suggesting that the deal could be worth around £2 million to bring the player to Glasgow’s East End. It is thought the player is keen for a move to Celtic Park, but it seems this will be done through a loan-to-buy option during this window as the preferred negotiation clause.

Callum Wilson of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United at City Ground on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Given that West Ham may be terminating Callum Wilson’s contract, reports are suggesting Celtic could swoop in to buy the striker. Wilson comes with bags of international and Premier League experience in an area of the pitch which Celtic haven’t replaced since selling Kyogo and Idah in the last two windows. The hoops have been without a reliable goalscorer, and whilst aging Wilson can be injury-prone, he also comes with a wealth of experience and talent.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores the opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on December 03, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Whilst Martin O’Neill has sent a clear message to the board about bringing players in, he will also want to ensure key players don’t leave. McGregor has been linked to Rodgers’ new side in the Saudi league, whilst there have been murmurs of Maeda and Yang also leaving.