Martin O'Neill has made it clear that Celtic will continue to bolster their squad this summer, emphasizing that the club is focused on securing high‑calibre players rather than simply increasing numbers. The reigning Scottish Premiership champions have already added Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh to the roster, and they have confirmed the return of Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain on a one‑year contract. However, the transfer market activity has left many supporters feeling impatient, especially after the departure of key striker Daizen Maeda, who has signed for newly promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town. Celtic’s campaign kicks off with a home match against Dundee on Monday, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, followed by a Champions League play‑off later in the month.
O'Neill has urged the fan base to exercise patience as the club works to bring in further reinforcements. "We are aiming to inject quality into the football club," the 74‑year‑old manager told Sky Sports News. "We have lost Daizen – he was a massive player for us – and we need to replace him.
Rest assured, we are doing everything we can to find the right replacements." The manager added, "We will bring in more players, there is no doubt about that, but I prefer quality over quantity." After a dramatic season that saw O'Neill return to Celtic twice, the team clinched the league title in a decisive final‑day showdown against Hearts in May. Looking ahead, O'Neill wants the squad to carry forward the mental toughness that defined last season’s success. "Last season was brilliant, it’s now part of history. We are ready to move on," he said.
"It was the mentality, the will to win, that saw us over the line, and that will be crucial again this season." Meanwhile, long‑serving captain Callum McGregor has reiterated his commitment to Celtic, despite ongoing speculation that he could reunite with former manager Brendan Rodgers at Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia. The 33‑year‑old explained that Celtic has been a part of his life since he was a child and that he wants to continue contributing to the club’s success. "This club has been with me since I was eight or nine years old. It’s where I want to be and where I want to play football," McGregor said.
"My aim is to keep doing everything I can to ensure Celtic thrives, and when the time comes to leave, I want to depart on a high note." When asked whether the club’s ambitions match his own, McGregor responded positively, pointing to recent signings as evidence of progress. "We have brought in two strikers and two very good players recently. Kasper Hogh, for example, joined us in the last 24 hours.
These are positive steps that add to an already strong group," he noted. He praised the collective effort of the squad and staff, emphasizing that their unity helped the club navigate a challenging season. "It’s about adding bits of quality, but we already have players who are eager to work for the club, who are talented, and who want to improve. They delivered success during a difficult campaign, and that gives us a solid foundation for a truly great team," McGregor said.
Looking forward, McGregor highlighted the club’s ultimate goal of reaching the Champions League stage, describing it as a benchmark that would elevate Celtic to a new level. "Our aim is to get back into Champions League football. That takes the club to a different tier, and we all need to keep pushing – players, staff, and the entire organization – to make that happen," he affirmed. Celtic’s opening league fixture against Dundee will take place at Celtic Park on August 3, with a kickoff time of 7:30 p.m.
The match will be part of a historic opening weekend in which all six top‑flight games are being shown live on Sky Sports for the first time. Fans can also follow the full schedule of Celtic’s Premiership fixtures, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash, via the club’s official channels. In summary, Martin O'Neill is committed to adding more players to the Celtic squad, but he insists that the focus will remain on quality acquisitions that can replace the likes of Daizen Maeda and strengthen the team for both domestic and European challenges.
At the same time, captain Callum McGregor has publicly affirmed his loyalty to Celtic, dismissing rumours of a move abroad and emphasizing his desire to help the club achieve its Champions League aspirations. Both the manager and the captain are urging supporters to be patient and confident as the club prepares for a new season that promises both high expectations and exciting possibilities.