Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has expressed satisfaction with the club’s transfer activity following the close of the summer window, though his comments reveal underlying frustrations with how negotiations unfolded. The Scottish club secured ten new players, with six arriving in the final two days before the deadline. O’Neill stated he was genuinely pleased with the acquisitions, though he acknowledged that limited spaces in the Europa League squad meant some young signings would be unavailable for continental competition.
The manager addressed the perennial issue of Celtic’s late transfer business, appearing slightly exasperated when questioned about timing. He noted that recruitment efforts began in July and expressed a preference for earlier arrivals to allow players adequate integration time. However, O’Neill seemed intent on moving forward rather than dwelling on the matter, insisting he was happy with the final squad composition.
Regarding the unsuccessful pursuit of Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis, O’Neill elaborated to written media that while Celtic held genuine interest in the player, negotiations with the Italian club proved insurmountable. He explained that Torino’s valuation demands were incompatible with the club’s spending strategy, forcing Celtic to pursue alternative targets. The manager also expressed concerns about the heavy reliance on temporary signings, suggesting that loan players might not fully commit to the club’s objectives.
Despite these reservations, O’Neill maintained an overall positive stance on the transfer window’s outcome, though his detailed comments suggest tempered optimism rather than complete satisfaction with how events transpired.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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