Martin O’Neill has confirmed Celtic are right in the mix to sign two new wingers after powering their way into the Europa League knockout rounds.
The Hoops boss revealed the Parkhead side are competing to secure the services of Frosinone wide man Fares Ghedjemis and Dunajská Streda’s Damir Redzic. Celtic booked their place in the knockouts with a thrilling 4–2 victory over Utrecht, setting up a potential tie against either Robbie Keane’s Ferencváros or Stuttgart for a spot in the last 16.
O’Neill admitted his squad needs strengthening to cope with the demands of both Europe and the Premiership. Celtic are locked in a battle with RB Salzburg for the £6.5 million-rated Ghedjemis, while discussions are also ongoing over a move for Hungarian winger Redzic.
However, O’Neill acknowledged that with the deadline looming on Monday, it may come down to landing just one of the two as talks continue. When asked about the pair, O’Neill said: “You’re not a million miles away.” I don’t know about percentage.”
O’Neill suggested Celtic are more likely to secure one of the two targets, admitting the club is edging closer to a deal. He said: “It’s possible, but I don’t think we’re quite there yet. It could happen.”
“There’s been progress today on certain things, yes. I don’t want to be that cryptic, but I would hate to say something is absolute certain and then it fell away. But I’m hopeful.
“We are definitely making progress. There’s no question about that.
“It really is as simple as that. We know we need to supplement the squad, we need to have quality as well to help us.
“Particularly with the extra games now, which I’m sure would be a delight for our opposition at a domestic level.
“But we’ll go with it. To qualify and get another European night at Celtic Park won’t do us any harm—if we get the players in, which I’m hoping that we will.”
O’Neill was delighted to get past Utrecht, even though his side were given a real fright along the way.
Celtic raced into a three-goal lead inside the first 20 minutes, but were forced to dig deep after the Dutch side clawed their way back to 3–2, before Auston Trusty wrapped it up late on.
O’Neill said: “I was delighted with the result for a start. The performance, for most parts, was terrific.
“For about the first 20 minutes, after the first corner, I thought our passing was terrific and as a consequence, we got ourselves a couple of goals in front.
“We were never coasting in the game, but we were doing splendidly and then they got a goal back right at half-time.
“That unnerves you a little bit, and then when they got the second goal, of course, you begin to get a little bit concerned because at that time I actually thought we were flagging a little bit.
“But Trusty comes up with a great header, and I imagine we deserved to prevail over the piece.
“You would have got long odds on us qualifying after about four games.
“Great credit to the players, they were tireless. The heart they showed, I just said to them before the game that you don’t want last Thursday’s performance and the performance in Feyenoord to count for nothing.
“The only way we could make it not count for nothing was just getting through.
“We’ve won, so we’re in the next stages of the knockout. It’s another night at Celtic Park.”
O’Neill was the last Celtic manager to guide the club to a European knockout win after Christmas, and he admitted it would be special to do it again. The prospect of facing Ireland icon Robbie Keane’s Ferencváros in today’s draw, along with German outfit Stuttgart, only adds extra appeal.
O’Neill said: “I didn’t know that (it had been 21 years). Right that wrong? I’ve known a few wrongs in my time as well!
“It is genuinely nice to be in the draw. Whether we’re good enough to continue is another issue, but regardless, it is nice to have another game at Celtic Park in a knockout.
“Robbie’s just starting his managerial career, and from the start he’s had here, he’s done really, really well. He was a great player as well, so he’s got a bit of pedigree.”
