Martin O’Neill is back, and he has an even bigger task than in his last interim spell.
It got off to a good start with Celtic’s win over Dundee United, but that’s all it was – a start. The January transfer window will still play a huge part in determining how the league goes.
Celtic have signed Julian Araujo, who made a positive impression in his first start against United. Jocelin Ta Bi is also seemingly on his way.
Kyogo Furuhashi was also linked with a sensational return this week, but O’Neill played this down, emphasising his desire for business to be done quickly.
So just how influential is O’Neill when it comes to transfers? Is he Celtic’s de facto director of football?
Would you follow these steps if you were on the Celtic board too?
Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney’s Celtic roles cleared up
Head of football operations Paul Tisdale and head of scouting Jay Lefevre both left Celtic at the back end of 2025.
With Wilfried Nancy and Peter Lawwell gone too, there has been a fair bit of movement at Celtic Park.
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It’s left Celtic with a pretty threadbare recruitment staff ahead of the January window. Impeccable timing as ever.
Speaking on The Scottish Sun’s transfer show, Roger Hannah has been discussing the staff situation.
Asked whether O’Neill is Celtic’s de facto director of football, Hannah said: “I’m not so sure about that.
“I do think, if you’re talking about head of football operations or sporting director or director of football… I do think Shaun Maloney is more attuned to that sort of thing.
“He will know all the players, we will have all of Celtic’s lists, that will have been compiled by a few different people over this chaotic season.
“But for Martin… we talk about [Jocelin] Ta Bi, project players… no use to Martin.
“I think Martin O’Neill will be saying to Shaun, and saying to the people behind the scenes at Celtic: ‘For the next four months, until the season’s over, we need guys who can hit the ground running, will make an instant impact and will improve this first team.”
How much responsibility should the players take for Nancy’s tenure, given how quickly they seem to have turned it around with Dundee win?
Martin O’Neill’s best signings from his first Celtic spell
As a Celtic manager, you have no chance of being successful without good Celtic players… and O’Neill’s signings in his first spell formed the backbone of a successful side.
In his first summer alone, Chris Sutton, Joos Valgaeren and Alan Thompson were all brought all to Glasgow. Not bad at all.
Neil Lennon was brought to the club that December, following O’Neill from Leicester to Glasgow.
Over the following years, the glittering signings dried up – but Bobo Balde and John Hartson were two highlights.
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