Martin O'Neill expressed satisfaction with the way Celtic have handled their recent transfer activity, while Derek McInnes insisted that the Rangers dressing‑room now reflects the environment he has always wanted. Celtic completed ten signings over the summer, with six of those deals sealed in the final two days before the window shut.
Rangers, meanwhile, added two more players on deadline day, bringing their total influx to fourteen new faces at Ibrox. Among the arrivals for the Hoops was Dutch midfielder Joel van den Berg, who moved from PSV Eindhoven, and Swiss full‑back Jordan Lotomba, who left Feyenoord just before the UEFA registration deadline on Wednesday night. Celtic also secured loan agreements for Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, Parma midfielder Oliver Sørensen, and two 18‑year‑old prospects from Chelsea – Shim Mheuka and Landon Emenalo.
Because UEFA only permits a limited number of squad slots, the Chelsea loanees and van den Berg were omitted from Celtic’s Europa League roster. "I’m delighted to have brought in these players," O'Neill said.
"I’m genuinely pleased with what we have achieved. The only difficulty is that the UEFA list is very restrictive – some of our younger lads will be disappointed not to make that specific squad, simply because there are only so many places available.
If we can keep our squad healthy and avoid long‑term injuries, I’ll consider the window a success." Celtic’s domestic rivals had largely finished their business earlier in the week, but the champions still needed to address clear gaps, such as finding a backup for the injured left‑back Kieran Tierney after the club’s Champions League campaign ended. When asked about the timing of his signings, O'Neill replied, "How many times do you want to hear that? We started this process back in July, so I’m happy with the players we have now.
Ideally we would have brought them in earlier to give them time to settle, but it doesn’t matter – I’m genuinely happy with the squad we’ve assembled." He was also asked whether he regretted missing out on Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. The 74‑year‑old manager brushed it off: "No, I’m very pleased with the options we have at the moment. It’s not a problem at all." Lotomba’s contract runs only until the end of the season, and O'Neill admitted he sometimes worries about the commitment of loan players.
"I sometimes wonder whether a loanee sees this club as a stepping stone or as a place they truly want to belong to," he said. He cited Julian Araujo as an example of a loanee who embraced the Celtic identity, adding, "He gave everything for the club last season. Loans can be a gamble, but it really depends on the individual.” Switching focus to Rangers, McInnes confessed he let out a massive sigh of relief when the transfer window finally closed on Thursday night.
The Scottish side have been busy as well, bringing in 22‑year‑old Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy from the Portland Timbers on a four‑year deal with an optional fifth year, a transfer reported to be worth around £9.5 million. Algerian winger Badredine Bouanani arrived on a season‑long loan from Stuttgart, and both newcomers are expected to feature in the upcoming Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell.
"We all breathed a huge sigh of relief when the window shut and now we can concentrate on the work ahead," McInnes explained. He also revealed that left‑back Tuur Rommens is set to resume full training after recovering from a groin strain, meaning he will be available for the two forthcoming matches against Celtic.
The Rangers boss likened the transfer period to a warzone, saying, "It feels like the longest window I’ve ever experienced – there’s always so much to consider. At Rangers I don’t want players who are constantly looking over their shoulder, always eyeing the next move. I want men who want to stay, who want to build something here and enjoy success together." He praised the club’s ability to offer players and staff a platform for growth and memorable moments, adding, "I just want everyone to commit fully to the club.
The players deserve that, and they deserve each other – that close‑knit camaraderie is essential." According to McInnes, the dressing‑room atmosphere over the past couple of weeks has been exceptionally strong. "It really feels like a proper football dressing‑room – the humour, the togetherness, the work ethic – it matches exactly what I would expect from my ideal squad. That unity is crucial when you face adversity and tough results. We have already bounced back with impressive away victories at Falkirk and Aberdeen, which shows the character of this group." He emphasized that such spirit is vital for any club, especially one with a youthful roster like Rangers.
"We have a very young dressing‑room, which is exciting because of the potential, but it also means there are many lessons to learn. Our job is to help these lads fulfil that potential every day, in a Rangers shirt," McInnes said. "I want the players not to waste any minute or opportunity. Whether you’re selected or not, you must treat every training session as if you’re fighting for a place on Saturday.
There is no room for laziness or sloppy practice – every day must count, and the motivation has to be professional.” In summary, both managers appear content with the outcomes of their respective windows. O'Neill is happy with the depth and quality Celtic have added, even if some youngsters missed out on UEFA registration, while McInnes believes Rangers now possess the kind of cohesive, ambitious squad he has long envisioned. Their comments suggest that, despite the hectic nature of the transfer period, both clubs are ready to focus on the upcoming challenges in domestic competition.