Martin O’Neill has poured cold water on the idea of Celtic signing both Fares Ghedjemis and Damir Redzic before Monday’s deadline, while still hinting that one of the two could arrive as the window closes.
Celtic are deep into a season where needs are clear across several areas of the squad. The win over Utrecht secured a place in the Europa League knockout play-offs, but it also underlined how stretched the group can look across ninety minutes. Depth remains an issue, and the transfer window has reached a stage where choices matter more than volume.
Much of the recent focus has been on the right wing. Ghedjemis and Redzic have both been heavily linked, with talks taking place at club level. That has led to growing expectation among supporters that Celtic could move for both, especially with time running out and business still light.
O’Neill’s comments have now reset that thinking. Rather than chasing two players for the same role, Celtic appear to be narrowing their focus. That approach reflects the wider picture of the squad and the demands still to come between now and the end of the season.
Celtic do not lack bodies on the right side alone. The squad also needs support through the middle of the pitch, another option at centre-back, and a clearer long-term plan in goal following Kasper Schmeichel’s uneven display against Utrecht. A striker remains part of the conversation as well, with minutes and roles still being juggled.
Against that backdrop, signing two right wingers would skew the balance. It would solve one issue while leaving others exposed. O’Neill’s words suggest Celtic are aware of that and are trying to be selective rather than reactive.
Asked directly about the two winger links, O’Neill did not deny the interest. Instead, he acknowledged progress while drawing a clear line under expectations. The message was not one of panic or rush, but of limitation.
He said: (BBC Sportsound), “You wouldn’t be a million miles away.
“It could be (one winger or the other). I don’t think we’re in a position where it could be both.”
Those comments make the direction clearer. Celtic are likely to push one deal rather than split focus or stretch resources. That fits with how the window has developed so far, with the club cautious around fees and conscious of where money is best spent.
In Ghedjemis’ case, the issue has been price. Reports from Italy suggest Celtic believe Frosinone’s valuation is too high. Talks have stalled as a result, and unless that changes, movement will be difficult. Redzic’s situation is different, with negotiations ongoing and the possibility of a deal still alive.
The key point is that Celtic are prioritising fit over accumulation. Right wing is an area they want to improve, but not at the cost of leaving other problems untouched. With European knockout games added to the schedule, squad balance matters more than ever.
There is also the reality of minutes. Bringing in two players for the same role creates its own tension. Development stalls, rotation becomes harder to manage, and frustration can grow quickly. Celtic have lived through that before and appear keen to avoid it again.
Supporters may be disappointed not to see multiple signings arrive at once, but the logic is hard to ignore. Celtic need help across the spine of the team as much as out wide. One winger makes sense. Two would create a logjam without fixing everything else.
The next few days will decide which direction Celtic go. If Celtic do bring in a winger, it is now far more likely to be Redzic. With the Ghedjemis move stalled over the asking price, focus appears to have shifted, and any late movement is more likely to come from the Redzic talks as discussions continue behind the scenes.
O’Neill’s comments were brief, but they carried weight. They framed expectations and drew a line under speculation. Celtic are not standing still, but they are not throwing everything at one position either.
As the deadline approaches, the picture is becoming sharper. Celtic will likely add one more piece rather than several. The challenge is choosing the right one.
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