Celtic fans stunned by Martin O’Neill’s admission on Tomas Cvancara – ‘Why are we signing him?’
Celtic are expected to complete the signing of Tomas Cvancara in the coming days.
The Borussia Monchengladbach striker is expected to join the Hoops on loan, with the Old Firm side possessing the option to buy if the move is successful.
With Celtic in dire need of a striker, there is a hope that the Czech Republic international will finally solve their problems up top.
However, O’Neill does not even appear to be convinced that Cvancara is the answer to their prayers in the second half of the campaign.
Martin O’Neill: Tomas Cvancara is not the immediate answer to Celtic’s problems
After a long wait for a striker, fans are hopeful that Cvancara could turn around Celtic’s fortunes once the move becomes official.
While the 25-year-old has struggled in recent years for form, the attacker did once have an excellent record at Sparta Prague before his move to Germany.
In his final season at the Czech club, he netted 15 goals in 30 games in all competitions as he won the top-flight title.
🎥 WATCH: “If you think he’s the immediate answer to any sort of problem we have – I’m not sure I would want to throw that sort of responsibility on him”.
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) January 21, 2026
🍀 Celtic boss Martin O’Neill gives his thoughts on incoming striker Tomas Cvancara ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HD0HCaoWsB
However, with the striker only netting 10 times in his last 67 games for both Borussia Monchengladbach and Antalyaspor, who he was on loan to earlier this season, O’Neill has played down his potential impact at Celtic Park.
On 21 January, when previewing the upcoming match against Bologna in the Europa League, he said: “If you think he’s (Cvancara) the immediate answer to any sort of problem we have – I’m not sure I would want to throw that sort of responsibility on him”.
As a result, many Celtic fans were furious, questioning why the Glaswegian side were even bringing in the attacker if he wasn’t the answer.
Surely this is everything you need to know about our new signing, if he isnt tje answer then why the hell are we signing him
— Paul Curley🇺🇦 (@paul_curley10) January 21, 2026
Boost of confidence that https://t.co/tmW5xIof3a
— P (@pcraigxx) January 21, 2026
Not the immediate answer – 6 month loan https://t.co/PB60lVMpqT
— Andy 🇵🇸 (@AndyMc1888) January 21, 2026
https://t.co/TqjOG2m2nm pic.twitter.com/xxrwNZSGgp
— Mark 🍀 (@minimark3324) January 21, 2026
However, other fans believe that O’Neill is simply taking the pressure off Cvancara as he enters the Scottish Premiership title race.
He’s just trying to take the pressure off him.
— tamtambsk (@thomasg02908855) January 21, 2026
Imagine he said the opposite 😂 don’t worry troops this guy’s gonna score ever week no questions – guaranteed to put 4 past hearts on Sunday.
If you had any commonsence you would realise Martin was taking the pressure of him, thats what good managers do. But like a lot on here you prefer to look at the negatives😡
— Bar (@silverburnunite) January 21, 2026
Very wise here from MoN, taking pressure right off the lad!!
— Jimmy (@southsidecelt) January 21, 2026
Can Cvancara make an impact at Celtic?
O’Neill’s assessment of the striker could well be accurate.
According to Fotmob on 21 January, the striker’s stats while on loan to Antalyaspor were simply appalling.
On average, the attacker was netting 0.17 goals, producing 2.05 shots and a 0.24 xG per game.
| Tomas Cvancara’s stats in the Super Lig this season | Per 90 minutes |
| Goals | 0.17 |
| xG | 0.24 |
| Shots | 2.05 |
| Shots on target | 1.03 |
| Assists | 0.00 |
| xA | 0.02 |
| Chances created | 0.17 |
On top of this, he did not produce a single assist and only created 0.17 chances per game.
As a result, his loan was an utter failure as he failed to rekindle his form.
However, it remains to be seen if O’Neill is able to bring the striker back to his best over the coming months.
If not, the Scottish Premiership title could already be lost, with Hearts and Rangers pulling away.