O’Neill hopeful on transfers despite Champions League play-off exit

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said he remains hopeful the club can add players before the transfer window shuts, despite the team’s exit from the champions League play-off and subsequent drop into the Europa League.

What happened

Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League play-off by Austrian side LASK after a 5-1 defeat after extra time in the second leg, with LASK winning the tie 5-4 on aggregate. The result sends Celtic into the Europa League rather than this season’s Champions League. O’Neill described the loss as a “major disappointment” and said he would analyse the performance, noting defensive lapses in the second half of the tie.

O'Neill’s transfer stance

Speaking after the defeat, O’Neill said he hoped missing out on Champions League football would not rule out prospective signings. He told reporters the club were still “trying to get some players in” and that a few additions were needed to supplement the squad before the transfer deadline.

Celtic have already completed four signings this window: Kasper Hogh, Camilo Durán, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur. At the same time, the club have lost influential players Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda, who moved to West Ham United and Ipswich Town respectively.

Why this matters

• Champions League qualification is a significant draw for many targets, particularly younger players, O’Neill acknowledged; while he said the Europa League is still a “great competition”, he conceded the prestige and financial incentives are different.
• The exit has amplified scrutiny of Celtic’s summer business. Supporters have voiced frustration at recruitment after successive failures to advance through the play-offs in recent seasons.
• Departures in key positions have created immediate needs: left-back cover and central midfield reinforcements were identified as priorities by reporting around the club.

Players linked and positions of concern

Local reporting and domestic coverage list several areas Celtic are monitoring or have previously targeted. Those reports indicate:

• Left-back: Kieran Tierney remains influential but has recurring fitness issues, and there is no obvious back-up following Marcelo Saracchi’s exit.
• Central midfield: the sale of Arne Engels and the perceived need for more physicality in Europe has prompted interest in midfield options; names reported in the wider press as scouting targets include Hajduk Split midfielder Niko Sigur and Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis, though these remain media-linked rather than confirmed club announcements.
• Out-of-favour squad players have attracted approaches: Reo Hatate has reportedly had tentative enquiries, and Michel-Ange Balikwisha has also been linked with moves away in coverage of the window.

Confirmed moves versus speculation

From the evidence available: the club’s four summer signings are confirmed. The exit to LASK is confirmed. Other reported links and managerial comments about targets or player interest come from local and national media and should be read as reported interest rather than completed deals. O’Neill himself framed remaining activity as hopeful rather than finished, saying the recruitment team continued to work on options.

Immediate implications for Celtic

• Squad depth: O’Neill said a “few” additions are needed; with the Europa League campaign now in prospect, depth will be tested across a longer fixture list.
• Transfer deadline pressure: the window closes shortly after the play-off period, increasing urgency for timely signings and replacements.
• supporter reaction: fan unrest has been visible following the exit, with a banner at Parkhead criticising recent qualifying failures. O’Neill has publicly addressed squad and transfer questions at multiple press conferences since the turn of the window.

What comes next

O’Neill and Celtic’s recruitment staff are expected to continue working through the final days of the transfer window. The manager has urged the board to back attempts to strengthen the squad and said the club have options they are exploring. Any incoming or outgoing transfers reported in media sources should be treated as pending until confirmed by the club.

Timeline (relevant recent events)

1. Before the play-off: Celtic signed Kasper Hogh, Camilo Durán, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur during the transfer window.
2. Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda left Parkhead during the same window (Engels to West Ham United, Maeda to Ipswich Town).
3. Champions League play-off: Celtic lost to LASK on aggregate and will play in the Europa League this season.
4. Post-defeat: O’Neill publicly stated he remains hopeful of adding players before the transfer deadline and acknowledged areas in the squad that need strengthening.

Context for readers in Britain

For Scottish football followers, the outcome affects Celtic’s European income prospects and squad planning ahead of domestic and continental commitments. The immediate transfer activity will influence Celtic’s ability to defend their Scottish Premiership title and compete in the Europa League, while the board and recruitment team will face heightened scrutiny from supporters and national media over the remainder of the window.

What to watch

• Official club announcements for any incoming or outgoing transfers before the window deadline.
• Managerial updates and injury bulletins—particularly around Kieran Tierney—since left-back cover is identified as a priority.
• How Celtic balance domestic schedule and a Europa League campaign if further signings are limited.

All claims about O’Neill’s comments on transfers, the Champions League exit and the club’s confirmed signings are taken from post-match and press reporting. Links and player-target names quoted in this article are reported by local and national outlets and have not been announced by Celtic as completed transfers beyond the four confirmed arrivals noted above.