Martin O’Neill says Celtic need help, but not ‘three or four’ new players

Martin O’Neill has played down talk that Celtic need “three or four” new signings before the transfer window closes, but admits reinforcements are required as his squad battles fatigue, suspensions, and a heavy schedule.

Celtic have ended back‑to‑back matches with ten men and still managed to compete, underlining both the team’s resilience and the limits of the current squad. Injuries, bans, and late defensive reshuffles have repeatedly forced players into unfamiliar roles and altered the balance of the side mid‑game.

Speaking after the recent match at Tynecastle, where Celtic again had to adjust following a red card, O’Neill was asked if there was still room for three or four additions next week. He replied, via CeltsAreHere: “I don’t know about your numbers, but definitely we would need some people in.”

Martin O’Neill says Celtic need help, but not ‘three or four’ new players

The interim manager’s stance is that the issue is not the volume of arrivals but their suitability. He has already overseen the signing of Tomáš Čvančara, whose debut run in behind the Hearts defence shifted the contest and highlighted the value of targeted recruitment over a broader rebuild.

Recent performances have shown how quickly Celtic’s shape changes when a player is forced off. Midfielders have been pushed deeper, full‑backs have been pinned back, and forwards have spent more time chasing channels than receiving service. O’Neill views new signings as a way to cover specific gaps created by form, fitness, and fixture congestion, rather than as a signal to tear up the existing structure.

Celtic remain involved on multiple fronts, with the Premiership title race, European commitments, and domestic cups all demanding intensity and leaving little room for rotation. Narrow scorelines and disciplinary issues have further reduced flexibility during games.

For O’Neill, this window is about protecting standards by easing the load on core players. Whether that ultimately means one or two additions, the priority is to add options who can slot into defined roles without forcing major tactical changes elsewhere on the pitch, rather than chasing a headline number of transfers.