Martin O'Neill delivers 'two sides' verdict on Celtic exit and provides 'progress' update in transfer chase

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has reasurred supporters that the club are beginning to see progress in their quest to add to the squad this summer and is hoping for an update on incomings soon.

O’Neill watched new signing Camilo Duran bag his second goal of pre-season as they played out a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Celtic Park, with the Colombian hitman cancelling out David Strelec’s 26th-minute opener for the visitors. However, the post-match chatter immediately turned to the transfer window as supporters await news of more incomings.

Frustrated by the club’s lack of movement so far, with Duran the only new addition, the Celtic boss moved to reassure fans that hard work is going on behind the scenes as he looks to add to the squad ahead of their league opener against Dundee on August 3.

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Camilo Duran was on the scoresheet against for Celtic for the second game in succession. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group

“There has been progress,” said O’Neill, with a thumbs up. “No timeframe. There’s no point saying Monday if they come in on Wednesday instead. I don’t want to say something is absolutely until it’s absolutely done but progress is definitely being made. I was pleased with some aspects, sometimes in possession we did really well but without the ball we could do better.

“I think if he [Duran] stays clear of injury he will be a big asset. He can hold it up, he’s incredibly enthusiastic, he can close players down but he wants to play and improve and I think he will do. All round I think it’s a balancing act for us and other teams who have had players at the World Cup.

“We’ve had a couple more back in the last couple of days and they weren’t going to be involved today even though they wanted to. Next week they’ll have more training which will be good. On the second aspect, with a bit of luck, we should have more players coming into the club.”

The 74-year-old also shared his thoughts on Kelechi Iheanacho’s decision to leave the club this summer in order to sign for Turkish outfit Bursaspor. The Nigerian striker played a major role in Celtic’s title win last season, scoring a number of vital late goals in the final weeks of the season, but opted against extending his stay despite the club’s desire to keep him at Parkhead for another season.

Kelechi Iheanacho has signed for Bursapor after rejecting a new deal with Celtic. | Getty Images

“There are always two sides to every transfer,” said O’Neill. “I thought we had a deal with him but it didn’t materialise. If he’s gone to another club that’s his decision, so he’s gone to pastures new. The option ran out [to trigger a new deal]. But the option would be to take someone on similar terms to before so that’s where the difference was. Kelechi did terrifically well for us as an impact player coming on. He started one game in my two spells against Dundee United but it would have been nice to have him for pre-season. He’s chosen to go elsewhere.”

Marcelo Saracchi also announced via Instagram that he would not be returning to Celtic after spending last season on loan from Boca Juniors.

“Again there are two sides to every story [with Saracchi],” O’Neill updated. “Jokingly I said after he made the goal against Hearts I’d give him a 26 year deal, which was an exaggeration. It’s happened, players have gone. I think he’s done really well at the club and there were circumstances which it seemingly meant it was never going to happen.”

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