Martin O’Neill knows the Scottish media like the back of his hand.
But is he really showing his true feelings on Celtic’s January business, which saw five players brought to Parkhead on loan?
Chris Sutton knows him more than most, and he has his doubts. The Celtic hero interviewed O’Neill for Sky Sports earlier this week, showing utmost respect for his former boss.
But a few days on, Sutton has voiced what he really thinks the interim boss is thinking about the business conducted this winter.
And given how Brendan Rodgers’ reign abruptly ended earlier this season, he wouldn’t be the first Celtic manager to be left wanting more.
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Chris Sutton on Celtic boss Martin O’Neill
Julian Araujo was brought in just days before the sackings of Wilfried Nancy and Paul Tisdale. Over a fortnight later, O’Neill finally made his first addition, in the form of Tomas Cvancara.
That pair were supplemented by a trio of Deadline Day loans, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now looks set to be coming in on a free transfer.
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill shoots down ‘past his best’ claims as Celtic sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
And Sutton, writing in his column for the Daily Record, voiced his suspicions on how his former gaffer is really feeling after the window.
He said: “Martin O’Neill was in good form when I sat down to interview him for Sky Sports the day after the transfer window closed.
“He was in decent spirits and he declared himself happy with the business done by the club. I’m not so convinced, as I suspect O’Neill might have been putting on a brave face.
“Is he really happy?
“O’Neill is never going to say otherwise but I have my doubts, particularly about the players arriving on deadline day.
“Junior Adamu and Joel Mvuka have struggled in recent times and might be coming in with points to prove.
“Benjamin Arthur is a highly rated young player at Brentford but he’s had limited first team exposure and it would only take an injury or suspension and he might be getting thrown into games like the derby at Ibrox.
“That could be a big ask. The feeling that remains is my old Celtic manager could do with all the help he can get.”
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Celtic’s January transfer business
Celtic’s January window saw five signings in total – all of them on loan.
In fairness to the club, three of those came with options to buy: Junior Adamu, Joel Mvuka and Cvancara.
At the top of Celtic’s wishlist was undoubtedly a striker, which finally arrived in the form of the Czech striker, who has already provided goal contributions in both of his appearances.
The Deadline Day loan of Benjamin Arthur from Brentford allowed Stephen Welsh to return to Motherwell.
Almost a week into February, however, it now seems that the business isn’t done there, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to join Celtic.
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