Martin O'Neill has made it clear that Celtic will be active in the transfer market this summer, emphasizing that the club is focused on bringing in "quality rather than quantity". So far, the Scottish Premiership champions have secured the services of Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, and have also re‑signed Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain on a one‑year contract.
Despite these moves, many fans have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a sluggish transfer window, especially after the departure of prolific striker Daizen Maeda to newly promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town. Celtic's campaign kicks off with a home match against Dundee on Monday, broadcast live on Sky Sports, before they head into a Champions League play‑off later in the month. O'Neill has asked supporters to exercise patience as the club continues to fine‑tune its squad. "We're trying to get some quality into the football club," the 74‑year‑old manager told Sky Sports News.
"We've lost Daizen; he was a big, big player for us and so we have to replace him. I think that we're doing our best to do that.
We will get some more players in, there's no question about that, but I want quality rather than quantity." The manager's remarks come after a dramatic season in which O'Neill returned to Celtic twice before finally guiding the team to the title on the final day, edging out Hearts in May. Reflecting on last season's success, O'Neill said, "Last season was terrific, it's gone now, it's consigned to history. Now we're ready to go. I think it was mentality as much as anything else that got us over the line.
It was strong, it was a will to win and we saw it through. That will be very, very important this season, there's no question about that." Meanwhile, long‑serving captain Callum McGregor has pushed back against speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia's Al Qadsiah, where former manager Brendan Rodgers now works. The 33‑year‑old reiterated his commitment to Celtic, saying, "Listen, this is a football club that's been part of my whole life since I was eight, nine years old. It's where I want to be.
It's where I want to play football. Ultimately, I want to keep driving everything that I possibly can to make sure this club is successful. Then eventually, the day that you do leave it, you want to leave it in a really good place." When asked whether the club's ambitions matched his own, McGregor responded positively: "Yes, listen, we've signed two strikers, two really good players. Obviously, they've come in and done really well.
Big Kasper (Hogh) has just joined us over the last 24 hours. It's good signs, it's positive steps and that is to add to what is a really good group already.
I spoke about this at the end of the season as well. I don't really think there's a group of players and a group of staff that could have got us through that difficult moment as much as these boys did." He went on to stress the importance of continuous improvement, noting that Celtic possess a core of players who are eager to work hard, improve their game, and have already delivered success during a challenging season. "It's obviously about trying to add bits of quality, but what we do have here is guys who want to work for the club, who are good footballers, who want to get better and ultimately did bring success to the football club during a difficult season, so we have the makings of a really, really good team," McGregor said. Looking ahead, the captain highlighted the club's ultimate target: Champions League football.
"Obviously, the standard for us is trying to get to Champions League football. That's where we want to be. It takes the club to a different level. So, can we keep pushing as players, staff and our football club to make sure we get there?" Celtic's opening league fixture against Dundee on August 3 will be the first of a historic opening weekend, with all six top‑flight matches being shown live on Sky Sports for the first time.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm, offering fans a chance to see how the new signings integrate into O'Neill's system and whether the promised quality upgrades materialise on the pitch. Beyond the immediate concerns of squad depth, O'Neill's emphasis on quality reflects a broader strategic vision. He wants players who can adapt to multiple formations, contribute both defensively and offensively, and possess the mental resilience required for European competition.
The manager has hinted that the club may still be scouting for a creative midfielder to link play between the back line and the forward line, a role that could be crucial for unlocking tighter defenses in the Champions League qualifiers. In addition to on‑field considerations, Celtic's board is reportedly reviewing its wage structure to ensure that any new arrivals fit within the club's financial framework while still offering competitive packages to attract top talent. This financial prudence is intended to safeguard the club's long‑term stability, especially as it aims to compete on multiple fronts. Overall, the summer window is shaping up to be a period of careful, measured reinforcement rather than a wholesale overhaul.
Fans can expect to see a few more names added to the squad list in the coming weeks, each selected for their ability to raise the overall standard of the team. As O'Neill and McGregor both stress, the goal is not merely to replace departing players but to build a side capable of challenging for domestic honours and making a deeper run in European competition. The upcoming fixtures against Dundee and the subsequent Champions League play‑off will provide early indicators of whether the club's transfer strategy is bearing fruit.