Martin O’Neill is ‘optimistic’ that he will add some more Celtic signings, and is also still hoping for an agreement with Kelechi Iheanacho.
Camilo Duran’s goalscoring cameo against Sporting on Tuesday was an encouraging first sign for the club’s only signing so far.
The result, however, was a disappointing one for O’Neill’s side, with the Portuguese side running out 4-1 winners in the Algarve.
Speaking after the game, O’Neill gave an update on Iheanacho and the window in general.
Defeat for Celtic in Portugal! 🚨🤔🍀
What did you make of that Celtic fans? Comment below…👇
Martin O’Neill ‘hoping for agreement’ with Kelechi Iheanacho
The Parkhead boss said: “We’re trying to come to some sort of agreement with Iheanacho, but we are definitely making moves.
“I am in constant touch with Michael [Nicholson]. Shin Yamada has gone on loan, and Michael is in the background working away.
READ MORE: Why Celtic will need to replace Arne Engels in more ways than one
“I don’t know about numbers, but I am definitely optimistic we will get players in.
“I think to balance things up we’d have to let a few players go, but I’m hoping to be in a position to do that with others coming in.
“I’m very hopeful [about Iheanacho].”
On the match itself, O’Neill said: “They are a really good side.
“Like us, they have players on World Cup duty, but they have some very fine players. They were Champions League quarter-finalists last season.
It was a great test, especially for the young boys who came on. I know the changes didn’t have the effect we wanted and we got a bit disjointed, but overall, it was great for the senior players as well.
“I have been here many times in pre-season before. I’ve had times when results have gone brilliantly, and you open up and wonder where it went to, and vice-versa.
“In terms of the performance, I’m not too worried. If this was AC Milan in a few weeks, then you can get concerned.
“But we have players coming back, and hopefully we’ll add to the squad and get things rectified. The most important game is the first match of the season.”
🤦♂️ Still no sign of an agreement for either of these two Celtic favourites to stay…
The season ended on May 23rd 🗓️
Kelechi Iheanacho’s wait to make an impact at Celtic
Iheanacho was brought in through the back door after the closure of the transfer window as a player with a pre-existing relationship with then-manager Brendan Rodgers.
Through no fault of his own, Iheanacho watched a chaotic first half of the season from the sidelines. From November to March, he started just one game, often not making matchday squads.
Fitness and managerial preferences were the causes of this.
Both Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu were brought in as reinforcements in the winter window, but neither had the desired impact, opening the door for Iheanacho to establish himself under O’Neill.
As Celtic won all of their last seven matches to deliver a Scottish Premiership that had once looked unlikely, Iheanacho played a vital part.
He then topped it off with a goalscoring cameo in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.
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