‘All of a sudden’ – Celtic told to complete ‘marquee’ signing after Rangers transfer latest
Celtic may only be able to close the gap in the Scottish Premiership title race with a statement signing in the January window.
That is according to ex-Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Rangers‘ transfer activity will force Celtic to add to their squad.
Celtic’s 1-0 win at Falkirk keeps Martin O’Neill’s side within six points of league leaders Hearts, with Rangers also in close pursuit.
Right-back Julian Araujo is Celtic’s only signing in January so far, with pressure on the board to back O’Neill in the market.
Celtic need to show ‘serious intent’ in January
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Celtic will not get away with only a couple of “quick signings.”
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Dermot Desmond needs to trust O’Neill in the transfer window amid signs of intent at Rangers.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Rangers’ transfer activity has hit them like a cold flannel in the face in the morning. They’ve suddenly realised, hang on, we are also in a title race.
“And now there’s three of us there and Rangers have woken up with Danny Rohl, and they’ve got a new executive team and the whole thing. They’ve got decent backers. We’ve got to raise our game. We’re no longer coasting into success as we used to and as we have been used to for a long time.
“So yes, I think there is a real of activity happening at Celtic right now to get something going in this window, because the fan unrest is still very, very real at Celtic, and they’ve got to do something to show some serious intent to keep those fans onside.
“And it’s not going to be easy, just not one or two quick signings. It’s going to take some pretty major marquee stuff, I think, to do it. And if they can get that done in January, Martin O’Neill, he’s back in there again. You trust him if you’re Dermot Desmond to spend the money wisely and get a squad. And he’s an old, you know, widely old fox who also wants to win that title.
“So all of a sudden, and Heart’s up there as well, we’re seeing Scottish football prime for a really interesting second half of the season.”
Celtic in pursuit of Chelsea star
Celtic fans have been calling for the club to bolster their attacking options, and O’Neill may be a step closer to signing a new forward.
Chelsea will allow David Datro Fofana to leave the club on a permanent deal, with Celtic interested in signing the 23-year-old.
Fofana has spent the first half of the season on loan at Fatih Karagumruk, but the Blues intend on recalling him from his spell at the Turkish club.