Celtic added six new faces over the course of this winter.
Five of them were under the watch of Martin O’Neill, with most of them being completed in the final days of the window.
Whilst some have already contributed for the team, winger Joel Mvuka has not been seen since being hooked at half-time in his debut. The Norwegian had been set to sign permanently from Lorient, but the deal was renegotiated to a loan after issues with his medical.
Speaking after Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibs, O’Neill explained his squad omissions, saying: “I think it’s just getting used to the environment.
“These lads have played decent grades of football before. But it’s the intensity here at this minute, and some players, like James Forrest, have been used to that sort of intensity. So we’ll see.
“We’ll definitely make a few changes for Thursday evening, and we’ll take it from there.”
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Martin O’Neill, Joel Mvuka and Celtic’s recruitment
A reported fee of £4.5 million had been agreed for Mvuka’s permanent transfer.
Celtic had reportedly blindsided Nordsjaelland, who had been confident of completing his signing.
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He started as a right-winger in Celtic’s Scottish Cup clash with Dundee, but was replaced by James Forrest at the break.
Whilst O’Neill mentions Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Stuttgart, Mvuka is not eligible to play in that game.
That’s because Tomas Cvancara, Julian Araujo and Junior Adamu were selected as the Hoops’ three winter signings to be added to the European squad, with UEFA rules not allowing any more.
Prior to his move to Glasgow, Mvuka had made 11 appearances for the French side this season, without registering a single goal or assist.
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The career of Celtic’s Joel Mvuka
A right-footed right-winger, Mvuka moved from Bodo/Glimt to Lorient for north of £5 million three years ago.
He has been in and out of form in France, but started just five league games this season with Lorient currently sitting ninth in Ligue 1.
He also spent the back end of last season on loan at Swiss side Young Boys, but was largely utilised from the bench at the Bern-based club.
He is one of many Bodo/Glimt exports who hasn’t hit the heights after earning a big move away from the Arctic Circle.
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