Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Tue 20 January 2026 18:30, UK

Celtic are still yet to sign an attacker this month, despite Martin O’Neill’s desperate pleas for reinforcements.

In their latest embarrassment, Celtic’s loan move for Joel Piroe was laughed off by Leeds United, who were bemused by the offer.

The Premier League club are owned by 49ers Enterprises, who also own Scottish Premiership title rivals Rangers.

Celtic have also been linked to David Datro Fofana, Kyogo Furuhashi and Kieron Bowie this month, as O’Neill‘s demands for a new attacker intensify.

O’Neill has been clear about the need for Celtic signings this month, but Julian Araujo, who arrived under Wilfried Nancy, remains the only new player.

Hearts’ rapid action embarrasses Celtic

There has been no shortage of embarrassment for Celtic this month, with several of their efforts to sign new players falling at the first hurdle.

Jocelin Ta Bi was a target under Nancy, and continued to be a target under O’Neill. The Bhoys chased the winger, eventually agreeing a fee with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya.

The move was met by protest from the Celtic fans, who were opposed to the funding of a club based in Israel amid the Israeli-led humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

But the deal broke down when an injury was reportedly discovered in Ta Bi’s medical – an issue that was not as important for Premier League club Sunderland, who quickly wrapped up a deal for the winger.

A further embarrassment for Celtic in the transfer market, and it has not stopped there. On Tuesday, Hearts confirmed that Lawrence Shankland will miss six to eight weeks of action through injury.

Within mere minutes of the announcement, Edinburgh News reported that the Scottish Premiership leaders have agreed a deal to sign Rogers Mato this month.

The Ugandan forward, who has scored 15 goals in 17 appearances for North Macedonian team Vardar this season, is expected to join imminently despite having previously signed a pre-contract for a summer move.

Martin O’Neill will be fuming after Hearts move

Of course, Hearts had been in conversations regarding Mato in the days before Shankland‘s absence was known.

But it says a lot that the Scottish Premiership leaders accelerated talks to get the deal done once the striker’s injury became apparent.

It is a level of competence and a will to win that does not seem to be present at Parkhead at the moment.

O’Neill did not return to think about Celtic’s long-term future, but he must be ripping the hair he has left out at the news of each and every failed transfer.

Just 12 days of the window remain, and Celtic must ensure that new players arrive. Fail to do so, and they risk allowing a bad situation to become apocalyptic.