Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has issued an urgent plea for new signings capable of making an instant impact, following the club's failed attempt to bring fan favourite Kyogo Furuhashi back to Parkhead on loan.
Loan Move for Kyogo Collapses
The Glasgow club had submitted an offer to re-sign the Japanese striker from Birmingham City on a temporary deal until the summer. There was initial optimism that an agreement could be reached, but the move has now fallen through.
Kyogo, who became a hero at Celtic Park between 2021 and 2025 before joining Rennes last January, has decided to stay in the Midlands and fight for his place at Birmingham. His parent club were also reluctant to sanction the loan departure.
"We enquired at the possibility and I think he wants to stay," O'Neill confirmed. "I think Birmingham want to keep him as well. That was the news that I'd heard."
O'Neill's Clear January Mandate
With the transfer window closing on February 2nd and his second interim spell beginning with this afternoon's match against Dundee United, the 73-year-old Northern Irishman emphasised the pressing need for reinforcements.
"I need players, if we can, who are ready to go. I need players to be ready," O'Neill stated bluntly. "My job is to aim for that. I am selfish, I need people in to go now. I am going for both - quantity and quality."
He acknowledged the difficulties of the January market but stressed time is of the essence. "If I was given some sort of assurance that something would happen in 10 days, I might wait for that. But I can't wait forever. We have three weeks and a lot of games between now and then."
Squad Challenges and Injury Updates
The need for new faces is exacerbated by Celtic's injury list and lack of signings this month. For the visit of Dundee United, O'Neill's striking options are limited to Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamaha.
"Oh, we definitely need somebody," he said when asked if a striker was the priority. "That would be significant for us."
There was more positive news regarding the fitness of Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi. "It shouldn't be too long now for both of them," O'Neill revealed. "They've been on the grass. They are training on their own now. They are not too far away."
However, a return for winger Jota, out since last April with a cruciate ligament injury, remains distant. The manager confirmed he had spoken to the Portuguese player but that he is "still a fair distance away."
Celtic's rollercoaster season has also seen injuries to key figures like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston. The club had been exploring a move for Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi, but it is unclear if that pursuit will continue.
As the clock ticks down to the window's closure, O'Neill's message to the Celtic hierarchy is unequivocal: the team requires immediate, first-team ready additions to navigate a packed fixture schedule and maintain their ambitions.
