Martin O'Neill receives official Celtic transfer message

Martin O'Neill receives official Celtic transfer update ’s lack of transfer activity so far this summer is due to their inability to compete with clubs in the Premier League and Championship, according to the club's chief executive Michael Nicholson. Camilo Duran is the only new signing to have arrived at Celtic Park so far this summer, with the Colombian forward joining on a free transfer from Qarabag, and despite Martin O’Neill’s desire for serious reinforcements, the club are yet to significantly strengthen his squad ahead of the new season. Nicholson, O’Neill and chairman Brian Wilson travelled to Cork earlier this month to take part in a Q&A held by the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs, and it’s noted that O’Neill confirmed that he wants the club to step up transfer talks over the coming weeks. However, as per minutes released online (via ), when asked about the club’s lack of transfer business, “Michael Nicholson took the question and advised of the difficulty in dealing with agents, competing with the Premier League and even the Championship. “He advised that the easy signings are the players that are out of contract and these are being worked on immediately, without any real hint of active engagements with potential players. “Martin O'Neill then proceeded to confirm that he has put to the board that we are in major need of signings, as the current squad, despite their heroics last season, are not strong enough to compete. “He mentioned the focus on finding talent and developing it, because targets he has identified already, were difficult to attract to Glasgow. "Michael Nicholson also mentioned the silence being intentional because the media will run with any story and paint the club in a bad light no matter what the barriers to signing a player may be.” While Celtic have struggled in the market so far this summer, arch-rivals Rangers, on the other hand, have bolstered Derek McInnes’ side with seven new additions, including Hearts duo Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin, and they look primed to seriously challenge for the Scottish Premiership title this year. Celtic urged to splash the cash on squad rebuild Although Celtic are seemingly unable to battle the richest clubs in England for signings this summer, former Hoops striker Chris Sutton believes that vast investment is necessary ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. “Martin worked wonders last season. I didn't see Celtic winning the title from the position which he was put in on a couple of occasions,” Sutton told . “I mean, the run towards the end of the season was extraordinary but I still think you can't get away from the fact there needs to be a lot of change at Celtic in terms of recruitment. “They've got the Champions League qualifier which is really important and, however exciting it was for Celtic fans to end up getting over the line last season, you can't get away from the fact that Celtic struggled at times throughout the season. So, Martin will be looking to, I'm sure, bring players in. “It'll be interesting to see who goes out from Celtic. It looks like Reo Hatate will go, possibly Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels but they're big players for the team. So, who are Celtic going to replace those type of players with? I think that Celtic are possibly going to have to spend up to or more than £50m really because the squad does need a rebuild.”