Celtic’s European campaign will roll into February.
Martin O’Neill’s men have survived a scare to secure a 4-2 win over Utrecht, sending them through to the next round of the Europa League.
A Benjamin Nygren tap-in, a Nick Viergever own goal and an Arne Engels penalty put the Hoops as close to dreamland as they could be after just 20 minutes, but it’s never that simple in Europe.
Two goals on either side of half-time reduced the deficit to just one, but up stepped Auston Trusty to secure their place in the next round.
O’Neill has been answering the questions that fans want to ask after the encounter.
Which side do you want Celtic to face?
Martin O’Neill after Celtic’s win vs Utrecht
Of course, the transfer window is getting closer, and this was another opportunity for O’Neill to provide updates on that front.
It has also been confirmed that the Hoops will play either Ferencvaros or Stuttgart in the knockout round play-off next month.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, O’Neill firstly discussed the performance, praising the players’ pressing in particular.
He said: “It was nice. We played really strongly in the first 10-20 minutes, got ourselves in front with a couple of great goals from our viewpoint, terrific.
“It got a little bit nervy for a while, then at 3-2, but Trusty scores a great header and we win the game.
“I think we deserved to win it. We pressed strongly, got a little bit tired – which is not really surprising – but overall, brilliant effort.”
On the draw, O’Neill said: “No [preference], just genuinely pleased to be in it.
“After a number of games, including Midtjylland, my first away one – we’d have got long odds of being there, but the players have done brilliantly.”
And finally, on transfers: “Yeah, we’re making progress. I think we can move it along now in the next couple of days.
“I’m very confident that we’ll get some recruits in. I don’t know (what progress would look like). Like anything else, you’re trying to look for a bit of quality that would, first of all, supplement the squad, and two, improve it.
“That’s the case, and that’s what we’re hoping to try and do. But it’s not been easy – not just for us, but for other clubs. Perhaps the Celtic fans think it’s always us!
“I’ve had transfer windows in the past myself – not at Celtic, necessarily – when you’re twiddling your fingers and letting the day go past.
“So we’re trying to do some work and we think we can do it. You keep questioning me on guarantees, promises and all that stuff… I can’t guarantee anything. I don’t think any of us can do in the game.
“But we’re very, very hopeful.”
Where do Celtic still need to strengthen after signing Tomas Cvancara and Julian Araujo?
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