Martin O’Neill made a sharp exit from his post Falkirk match media conference when he was asked about transfers.
As ever the Celtic boss made a joke of it as he left his younger admiring media audience.
Celtic decided to cut that reaction out of the video clip posted on their You Tube channel.
O’Neill had spoken extensively about his disappointment over Celtic’s 300 ticket allocation for the League Cup tie at Ibrox.
That guaranteed a few news lines and filled spaces while the glaring gaps in the Celtic squad go unaddressed.
As the substitutes bench in both matches against LASK demonstrated the Celtic squad is paper thin.
There isn’t a back-up goalkeeper or left-back with any sort of experience in that position.
Kasper Schmeichel last played in February, Celtic decided against signing Marcelo Saracchi despite the obvious fitness issues with Kieran Tierney.
The fitness of the former Arsenal defender won’t be helped knowing that he is the only left-back at the club.
O’NEILL CONTENT WITH CELTIC’S FAILED RECRUITMENT ‘MODEL’
O’Neill seems quite content to operate in this fashion.
When he discussed taking on the manager’s job he didn’t feel the need to seek any assurances about signings.
Asked about that issue when he was with the Albufeira Four O’Neill said that he trusted Dermot Desmond to get things over the line.
On Friday O’Neill was asked about what conclusions there were over Celtic failing in their last six attempts to reach the Champions League.
Surprised by such a direct question O’Neill didn’t know if there was a common denominator in those repeated failures.
Supporters know the common factor. They displayed a banner before the match on the WORLD CLASS EMBARASSMENT. Michael Nicholson is following the example set by his mentor Peter Lawwell.
Celtic’s coverage of the media conference ended with O’Neill passing an answer on League Cup tickets to his Learned Friend Iain (Jambo Jamieson) the Communications Manager.
And with that they cut the video that appeared on You Tube.
The Celtic Way, partnered with The Herald as part of the Newsquest Group published a full Q and A of the post match media conference
It seems that answering questions about Celtic’s recruitment failure is becoming a little awkward for O’Neill.
On Friday he managed to drift off into discussing high profile EPL players (Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa) moving to Saudi Arabia rather than play in the Champions League. O’Neill also slipped in that he would go to the Saudi League if an offer came in.
THE TRANSFER WINDOW TIMELINE
Celtic have until 11pm on Wednesday to register their squad with UEFA for their Europa League matches.
On Thursday they have until 5pm to register signings with the SFA.
Celtic have three vacancies in their UEFA squad with Arne Engels sold while Adam Montgomery and Michel-Ange Balikwisha out on loan.
Alistair Johnston and Jota will be expected to be named in the Europa League squad.
After that players will be removed to make way for new arrivals.
Going by the pace of recruitment so far this window it looks likely that at a push two or three new signings will be made.
At least one will be on loan with Celtic releasing a social media clip between 4-5pm on Thursday to give the impression that they have been working flat out on signings.
Am sick to death listening to mon and his pathetic jokes,his reputation is quickly going down the toilet.
MON is just a Yes man happy to be in employment
There shall be a last hours bunch of activities of attempted player recruitment in true traditional form behind the scenes as the window slams shut and gets bolted until January ! Why these hurried deals cannot be done between the months of the window being open at a more civilised and sedated pace is beyond me ? With no obvious contractual barriers to overcome I believe that all deals should be done in 10 – 14 days …tops ! Anything longer than that then the guy obviously has his doubts about moving to Celtic so forget it and move on ! What is the scouting staff not doing that it takes an age to find suitable players to sign for Celtic FC ? I bet these ‘scouts ‘ are not on ‘minimum wage ‘ for a salary but a nice bit of bunce with a lovely generous expenses scheme too ? It’s past time they earned their corn and did their jobs correctly .
Celtic fans tend to overlook the fact that The Great Desmondo was a member of the Irish consortium that owned Man Utd when Alex Ferguson was in his pomp. It’s interesting to note what has happened, in a sporting sense, to this trio of Irish billionaires since they sold Man Utd. John Magnier and JP Macmanus are the most successful owners/breeders of racehorses on the planet.
JP Macmanus is a very flamboyant guy. He owns Adare Manor where the next Ryder Cup will be held. He bankrolled the Limerick Hurling team in recent years. They are now an absolute powerhouse in Gaelic sport. Get this…. he gave a gift of £1million Euro to each GAA County Board in Ireland, North and South, for the development of Gaelic games including the ladies section. That’s £32m euro out of his own pocket. Compare that to the other member of the trio…. the guy with shares in Celtic. Chalk and cheese to but it mildly.
For the life of me I can’t get my head around the fact that we didn’t sign Saracchi. Such a simple solution to our left-back problem. Surely further down the line the Celtic Fan Collective can take this Celtic Board in front of a judge charged with deliberately acting against the interests of other shareholders by denying them the opportunity of European prizemoney.
Some good points Tony, it’s shameful what’s being allowed to pass for financial prudence, while leaving 10s of millions on the table every year.
JP McManus handed out €32m to the GAA was a gesture to gain some public support, all the while living in Switzerland to avoid any tax in Ireland. 32m is a minute amount compared to his potential tax bill.
Doesn’t matter who’s in the managers hot seat at our club.
Whether promises are given or not on recruitment, it still turns out the same.
The books must be balanced, the bank balance must remain level or increased season on season.
For the want of spending maybe 15m or so over and above fees received, the suits could have virtually guaranteed a 40m windfall this season and more than likely next season if they had the foresight to allow a gaffer to actually build a team that will take us forward for the next 3 years as a unit.
Every year any sellable asset is gone, often not replaced, simultaneously season after season key positions are ignored, particularly at the back.
I genuinely believe the last solid squad Celtic had was the Seville boys, stuck together , grew together, won together.
The problem with the suits is simple, winning the league and gaining the chance of CL every year has made them far too complacent, it’s taken for granted they can do it on the cheap.
Mon is just a yes man for this incompetent board with all his stupid ignorant talk does not care about what fans put out of their pockets and should come out and tell the truth or walk.
Martin – Ya should have left in your glory…
They will fling you overboard in a heartbeat The Scummy Bastards will !