Martin O'Neill expressed genuine satisfaction with the way Celtic have handled their recent transfer activity, and Derek McInnes made it clear that he finally possesses the type of dressing‑room environment he has long envisioned at Rangers. Celtic’s transfer window saw a flurry of late‑stage activity, with six of the ten signings arriving in the final two days before the deadline. In parallel, McInnes added two more players on deadline day, bringing the total number of newcomers at Ibrox to fourteen.
Among the fresh faces for the Hoops, Dutch midfielder Joel van den Berg arrived from PSV Eindhoven, while Swiss right‑back Jordan Lotomba was secured from Feyenoord just before UEFA’s registration cut‑off on Wednesday night. Celtic also completed loan agreements for Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone, Parma midfielder Oliver Sorensen, and two 18‑year‑old prospects from Chelsea – Shim Mheuka and Landon Emenalo. Because UEFA imposes strict limits on squad sizes, the Chelsea loanees and van den Berg were omitted from Celtic’s Europa League roster. "I’m delighted to have these players in the squad," O'Neill said.
"I’m genuinely pleased with what we’ve achieved. The only difficulty is the UEFA list – some of the younger lads will be disappointed not to make that particular squad because there are only so many places available. If we can keep our senior players fit and avoid long‑term injuries, I’ll consider the window a success." While Celtic’s domestic rivals completed most of their business earlier in the week, the Glasgow giants were still addressing obvious gaps, notably the need for a backup to the injured left‑back Kieran Tierney after the club’s exit from the Champions League. When asked about the timing of their 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 really happy with the squad we’ve assembled." The manager was also asked whether he regretted missing out on Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. The 74‑year‑old O'Neill shrugged it off: "No, I’m completely satisfied with the personnel we have at the moment.
It’s not an issue." Lotomba’s contract runs only until the end of the season, and O'Neill admitted he sometimes worries about the reliance on loan players. "I sometimes wonder whether a loanee will see the club as a stepping stone rather than a place they truly want to belong to," he said. "But I’ve also had loan signings who fell in love with the club – Julian Araujo, for example, gave his all last season.
Loans can be a gamble, but it really depends on the individual player." Across the border, McInnes breathed a sigh of relief when the transfer window finally shut on Thursday evening. Rangers have bolstered their ranks with a mix of permanent deals and loans.
Young Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy, 22, arrived from Portland Timbers on a four‑year contract with an optional fifth year, a deal reported to be worth around £9.5 million. Algeria winger Badredine Bouanani joined on a season‑long loan from Stuttgart, and both newcomers are expected to feature in the upcoming Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell.
"We all let out a huge sigh of relief when the window closed and now we can focus on the work ahead," McInnes explained. He also revealed that left‑back Tuur Rommens is set to return to 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 battle.
"It feels like I’ve been at war this window – probably the longest I’ve ever experienced. There’s always so much to consider.
At Rangers I don’t want players who are constantly looking over their shoulders for the next move. I want men who want to stay, who want to grow here and help the club succeed." He continued, "This club can offer a lot of opportunity and many great moments for players, managers and staff.
I just want everyone to commit fully, to give their all for the badge. The players deserve each other’s support, and that tight bond is essential." McInnes praised the atmosphere in the dressing room, especially over the past fortnight.
"The camaraderie, the humour, the way we work together – it feels exactly like the kind of dressing‑room I want to see. That unity is crucial when you face adversity and tough results. We’ve already bounced back with impressive away wins at Falkirk and Aberdeen." He emphasized that a strong collective spirit is vital for any club, but especially for Rangers, whose squad is relatively young and full of potential. "We have a very youthful group, which is exciting.
There’s a lot of learning to do, and it’s our job to help these lads realise their potential day in, day out. I don’t want anyone to waste a minute or an opportunity.
Whether you’re in the starting XI or training, you must treat every day as a chance to improve. We will not tolerate lazy attitudes or sub‑par practice sessions. Every training session must be approached with motivation and professionalism, as if you’re fighting for a place on a Saturday." In summary, both managers appear content with how their respective transfer windows have unfolded.
O'Neill is happy with the depth and quality Celtic have added, even if some promising youngsters missed out on European registration. McInnes, meanwhile, feels a sense of relief and optimism, believing the new signings and the existing core have created a cohesive, ambitious environment that can drive Rangers forward in the coming season.