FALKIRK, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 14: Celtic manager Martin O'Neill during a William Hill Premiership match between Falkirk and Celtic at The Falkirk Stadium, on January 14, 2026, in Falkirk, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill is continuing to deflect away from Celtic’s failure to sign a striker.
Two weeks and three matches into the transfer window the need for a striker has never been more obvious.
Celtic toiled throughout last night’s 1-0 win away to Falkirk with Ben Nygren heading the winning goal shortly before half-time.
The next SPFL match is away to Hearts on January 25, it is unlikely that Celtic will take full points with a similar level of performance.
O’NEILL ON STRIKER WATCH
Every day strikers are being mentioned in the media but there seems little real sign of activity going on towards getting deals completed.
Before and after every match transfer activity is the main topic during O’Neill’s press conferences.
The interim boss appears increasingly weary about the topic.
Franko Kovacevic of Croatian side NK Celje was prominent in Wednesday’s speculation but O’Neill was typically evasive when questioned on a specific target.
O’Neill was asked if Kovacevic was among the strikers that he had looked at with he Daily Record reported the Celtic boss saying:
I’m probably sure I have done. I’ve only looked at about four and a half thousand at this minute and that’s not bad given I’m only in a week.
You can tell that we definitely need to get a centre forward. Young Johnny Kenny has done really fine in the games but I think it’s really harsh to put that kind of pressure on a young lad.
We’re looking for help. I’m not diverting to your thing, but I’m just not answering you! But you know, I am trying. I know I haven’t done anything since yesterday but I am trying. We will definitely get people in.
FORWARD PLANNING?
O’Neill will go through another media performance on Friday as he looks forward to the Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot.
Celtic should have far too much to see off the Ayrshire outfit but the clock is ticking rapidly towards the match against Hearts.
Celtic go to Tynecastle trailing the leaders by six points, any new striker will be making their SPFL debut in that match, in the toughest of circumstances.
Any signings made this month won’t be able to play in the Europa League. The matches against Bologna and Utrecht will be faced with last night’s squad, minus Julian Araujo.
Time is very tight for O’Neill and Shaun Maloney. With Paul Tisdale removed there appears to be very little of a recruitment department at Celtic.
Kelechi Iheanacho may be available for that match but after two hamstring injuries already this season care will be required with the former Leicester striker.
CLICK HERE for Kovacevik Transfermarkt profile
https://youtu.be/RloeDtIVhaQ
If I was O’Neill I would walk away instead of spouting words about how good the Board have been, it just makes him look stupid.
We are halfway through the transfer window and not only have we not brought in a striker, we haven’t got a midfielder, goalkeeper, winger and a central defender.
This window is going to be a disaster like most other windows .
DESMONDS OUT NOW – Parasites..
No-goal Johnny Kenny – 4 year contract (thanks Bren for getting one over the board)
Daniel Cummings (29 goals including 6 Youth Champions League goals in 37 games in 2024-5) – buck off and don’t darken Big Boy Pete’s door again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp_BNkiXl7A
I wonder if Martin privately thinks he has done the wrong thing coming back to have to deal with these old withered grey Bast***ds !