Celtic are still looking to add another left-back and goalkeeper before the transfer window closes.
SunSport reports that both positions remain on the club’s target shortlist, although a midfielder and winger are currently ahead of them as Martin O’Neill prepares for the Champions League play-off against LASK.
Celtic host the Austrian champions at Celtic Park on 19 August before the second leg away from home on 25 August.
That gives O’Neill less than two weeks to bring in new players and give them time to train with the squad before the tie.
Midfield is one of the main areas Celtic want to improve.
Celtic are still working on a deal for Baur, but Paderborn have already rejected an offer worth around £4 million and are refusing to lower their demands.
Contact has also taken place over Gineitis, although no formal bid has yet been made for the Torino midfielder.
A winger is also high on the list.
Camilo Duran started on the right against Dundee, but O’Neill admitted after the game that it is not his best position.
Farès Ghedjemis and Haissem Hassan have both been linked with Celtic, although the fees being asked by their clubs could make either deal difficult.
Left-back is another area that needs attention.
Kieran Tierney is currently the only established senior option there, with Alistair Johnston finishing Monday night’s 1-0 win over Dundee on the left after Tierney went off.
That switch showed how few options O’Neill has in the position.
He has already confirmed Celtic are looking for cover and said the young players in the academy are not yet ready to take on the role every week.
Celtic also want to add another goalkeeper.
Viljami Sinisalo made a good start to the season against Dundee and produced a few strong saves, but the club still want more competition after Kasper Schmeichel retired.
For now, the main focus is on bringing in a midfielder and winger before LASK arrive in Glasgow.
Left-back and goalkeeper remain part of the plan, but they appear more likely to be dealt with once Celtic make progress on the two positions currently at the top of O’Neill’s list.
the Desmond and his offspring priority is to make as much money as they can and spend as little as possible ,so far a net transfer spend of 1 million in the hope that the Celtic fans keep swallowing their shite . Stop giving them your money or you are complicit in the destruction of our club
We are about to lose a midfielder and a right back and we target a left back and a goalkeeper. Sinisalo has done brilliantly. He is our No 1 Ross Doohan No 2 and if we need a third take a lad from the Academy. No need to waste money there. Scales can cover Tierney. We need a creative midfielder and a holding midfielder and two winger unless Jota is anywhere near ready. Also a quality right back if Johnston goes.
I think the most powerful statement that could be made to Desmond and his hoarding board is for Martin O’Neill to walk away. He already knows that they have no problem humiliating him in public, which is why he has declared that he will end his contract next May. But for his own reputation, he has to do what Brendan Rodgers did and walk away. Imagine the fallout if he did that right at the start of the season!
Martin knows full well that he was second choice for Desmond, brought back again as an interim flunky when fan rebellion forced a re-think on appointing Robbie Keane. It has been on full public display from the time they haggled over wages with his backroom staff to feeding him duff information on pre-season and pre-friendly signings that never materialised despite his apparent public conviction that they were happening.
Then there’s the issue of Iheanacho and Sarachi, two players Martin liked and wanted to keep in the squad. They were there for the taking – Martin wanted them and they wanted Celtic. They were also reasonably priced and proven quality, yet Desmond let them both slip away. How much more proof does Martin need that they have no regard for him and what he wants to achieve? He’s being used as a stop gap and a buffer between the fans and the Board. Martin is too well respected and established to be treated in this way, so I think he should repay that arrogant shower by simply doing what Brendan did and let them feel the consequences.
totally agree Martin.
I am finished with them.
not another penny.
I think Martin should walk away if we don’t qualify for champions league.