GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 10: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park, on January 10, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill had no transfer news to report at his press conference to preview Wednesday’s match at Falkirk.
Jullian Araujo was signed on loan from Bournemouth on January 2 but since then there have been no additions to the Celtic squad.
That timeline covers a change of manager and the departure of Head of Operations, Paul Tisdale.
O’NEILL THE DIPLOMAT
It seems that O’Neill is almost starting from scratch in terms of recruitment.
After the match at Falkirk, Celtic are next in SPFL action when they face Hearts on January 25 in a critical fixture.
Before that Celtic have a Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot and a Europa League match away to Bologna. The squad for the Europa League can’t be altered.
Most fans would have assumed that a striker would have been signed by now. Alas there is still no sign of replacements for Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah.
As it stands the striking options for Falkirk will remain Daizen Maeda, Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada.
? “We are genuinely working hard in the background…”
? “I think that we are relatively close…”Martin O’Neill is hoping new Celtic signings are imminent ?? pic.twitter.com/Q6KR6pj10t
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 13, 2026
Nothing has changed, really. Even when I’ve been out of the game: the January transfer window is pretty difficult.
Because unless you’ve identified a player that you absolutely know is going to improve your team, and that you’re prepared to spend the money on them, I think it becomes more difficult.
I think I might’ve said to you a couple of weeks ago that the new manager would’ve wanted to have the January transfer window so that he could identify players for his particular system.
Now, we are genuinely working really hard in the background. So there’s no impediment in that sense. It’s just about trying to get some people in that we think can help us now, at least until the end of the season.
Essentially, it’s true [that I’m being presented players to make a judgement on]. I have discarded some. That is true.
I know it’s famous last words, but we are making progress – or we think we are. But you’re talking about agreements with club, if that’s the case, number one, agreements with players themselves.
And then a player finding out that there’s interest elsewhere, so you’re always competing. All these things come into consideration, which is no surprise to me.
And I know you’re thinking. ‘We’re halfway through January now.’ But I think that we’re relatively close… those are famous last words.
O’Neill also did a separate media conference for newspapers which will be embargoed until 10.30pm.
Couple of diddy’s on loan you’ve never heard of , probably a striker who’s scored 2 goals in 20 games or an injured hamstrung crock
They’ll be like , you wanted a striker , there you go , you’ve got one , shut up and leave us alone now
See you later until we want more money and then look out for the pre recorded interview with Gerry
Hell mend you ya f*cking b*stards
F#ckers going to stitch you up to Martin.
Why is the interim manager answering questions about transfer business?
In the absence of Tisdale, MON should be deflecting transfer questions to the CEO.
And, does anyone believe that the Board will suddenly change its approach,
and buy in players that the [interim] manager actually wants…?
See if Mbappe or Ekiteke or Lewandoski or some big name walked in the door wi 2 days of January left, u would probably accept that and just say WOW! well done the suits, musta worked hard gettin thae deals over the line.
But its no…..its no names like that, its nearly always names we’ve never heard of, nearly always loans, or players who have been injured for a year, or no played for the team that pays ther wages.
How the actual fuck can we no get deals like this done? It cannot be that difficult to sign players who haven’t been playing and want to play….it’s beyond parody.
Guys if you got a cple minutes , go and read Dan Tearymon on yesterday’s propaganda blog Thick news , check the spelling and the wording, honestly it’s one load of keek an absolute Banger it’s on page 6 of yesterdays offering , a drunk cat could produce better
Should’ve been looked at and ready to deliver after last closed window.
Why did Don Mckay leave???
I want to believe ya Martin – I really do wanna believe you…
But But But !
How do you think they are going to pay for nancy ? , his team? 4 peoples pay off?. Its ” make do with the basics of the squad and recalls, do loan deals, tell meada once again he cant leave until summer.” By then we have long term injuries back, make do.
Do your level best to win the league
Probably a loan til the end of the season, in a position we don’t need, whom will arrive the 31st of January.
Relatively close Hmmmm…Hope he isn’t taking Nicholson or McKay’s word on the current status. Previous experience tells us that would be Millions of £££s apart
What a Transfer Fee, A signing on Bonus, Agents fee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope that Maloney’s new International Scout can unearth someone of real quality
Brighton :
https://trainingground.guru/brighton-make-trio-of-senior-scouts-redundant/
Why do we still use the back of ciggie packets !!