Football
Exclusive: Martin O'Neill Believes Celtic Will Seek New Striker Despite Their Scottish Domination
Celtic's dominance in the Scottish Premier League has been impressive, with Martin O'Neill predicting they will look to sign a new striker despite their unrivalled success. With a 16-point lead and a possible Treble in sight, Brendan Rodgers' side remains strong. Fans are hopeful for continued success, with O'Neill confident in Rodgers' ability to lead the team to greatness.
Republic of Ireland Press Conference by Sportsfile | Getty Images
Martin O’Neill is convinced Celtic will be desperate to sign a new striker when the transfer window re-opens despite their unrivalled dominance this season.
The legendary Hoops boss has watched with delight with the club having stormed an impressive 16 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
And having already won the Scottish League Cup, Brendan Rodgers’ ambitious side are closing in on a memorable Treble.
They face Hibernian in the Scottish FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday with arch-rivals Rangers having already been eliminated from the competition.
“I’m sure it’s [a new striker is] something they’ll look at in the next few months and moving forward for next season,” revealed O’Neill in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.
“But at the minute, certainly domestically, I don’t think it’s going to affect them."
“That’s not to say they’re not going to drop a couple of points, because they may well do, but from a distance you have to say that Rangers have become incapable of going away from home and being able to win games which they would have normally done in previous seasons.”
Japan international winger Daizen Maeda is the Hoops’ leading scorer this season with a superb 27 goals from 44 appearances. German forward Nicolas Kuhn has contributed 18 to the cause across all competitions, while popular Japan international striker Kyogo Furuhashi netted 12 goals before his high-profile more to Rennes during the last transfer. Callum McGregor (nine) and Adam Idah (13) have also contributed important goals.
“I think it’s important the goals are spread around – and will continue to be,” stressed O’Neill.
“[Daizen] Maeda played as a centre-forward against Bayern Munich and did well."
“But with Kyogo [Furuhashi] having left now I think it will be the responsibility for more people to score, getting goals from midfielder and getting goals from wide areas."
“[Nicolas] Kuhn is a very good player and Maeda works unbelievably hard and, in my opinion, is underrated by many. But I think the fans genuinely love his attitude.”
BLOWN AWAY
Celtic have lost just twice in the SPL this season in 29 games have blown away the rest of the division.
And if they can overcome Hibs and win three more matches in the Scottish FA Cup, then Rodgers could cement his legacy as the club’s greatest-ever manager.
He won an incredible seven trophies in his first spell at Parkhead from May 2016 until his departure in February 2019.
But despite some disgruntled fans unhappy with his second coming in June 2023, returning to the club from Leicester City, the Northern Irishman has wasted little time in picking up where he left off.
He guided Celtic to a magical double last season by winning the SPL crown and Scottish FA Cup.
O’Neill has no doubts the 52-year-old will be hungry to go one step better this season and complete a majestical clean sweep.
“Domestically they’ve been really strong, apart from one small hiccup against Rangers [a 3-0 league loss in January], but overall they’ve been dominant,” added O’Neill.
“And, because they’ve got such a big lead in the SPL, it takes some of the pressure off [going for the Treble].”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.