O’Neill seeking window of opportunity before Euro deadline

CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill yesterday voiced his frustration at the domestic transfer window but revealed that he still hoped to add to his squad before Sunday’s European deadline.

He claims that FIFA's restrictions are backing managers into a corner and admits that he would have major problems if his squad was to be hit by injury problems before January.

He also says that the window is damaging the careers of players, who are robbed of the chance of a new challenge elsewhere.

"My personal view is that I don't like it at all and I don't think many managers do," said O'Neill.

"The very simple fact is that you can't just plan the next four or five months because you can get a series of injuries.

"I can understand the European deadlines which were in place years and years ago, but in terms of the domestic window or signing international players that prevents movement.

"I honestly think that it's not a good thing for some younger lads, who find themselves out of the side and have got up-and-coming careers, that after the 1st of September they can't move even if clubs want them to help them.

O'Neill has not made a single signing during the summer despite being on the brink of a place in the Champions League group stages.

He has just a few days before the European window shuts but that will not stop him trying to make a dramatic last-ditch capture.

"I might give it some thought," he said. "We have until Sunday and I'll be working right to the last moment on that one."

But O'Neill will have the players which took the club to the UEFA Cup final last season after categorically denying that the club had rejected a £1.5m bid from Middlesbrough for Neil Lennon.

"There's absolutely no ounce of truth in it at all," he said.

"We've had absolutely no approach from Middlesbrough whatsoever.

Celtic are expected to book their place in the money-spinning group stages of the Champions League tonight when MTK Hungaria come to Parkhead on the back of a 4-0 home defeat.

Meanwhile Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate goes gunning for another taste of Champions League football tonight insisting he has done nothing in the competition yet.

The 23-year-old England international was in the Leeds side which went out at the semi-final stage to Valencia in 2001 but despite that achievement he believes it means little because he did not end up with a winners' medal.

Woodgate has fought off a stomach injury to give himself a chance of lining up against Partizan Belgrade at St James' Park in Bobby Robson's 200th game in charge and he is determined to reach those heights once again.

"I came here to be in the Champions League and to hopefully go as far as we can in the Champions League," he said.

"It's a very tough game against Partizan Belgrade. It's not over by any shadow of a doubt yet. They're a good side and it's going to be tough.

"The Premiership is the hardest league in the world, but you play against the foreign teams and it's just different technically, I suppose."

Woodgate missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United through injury but has firmly established himself as Robson's number one central defender with a series of commanding displays since his £9m move to Tyneside. "I'm loving it at Newcastle," he said.

"I've moved up, I've got my house sorted out. I'm loving life at the moment."

But while Woodgate has a good chance of resuming at the heart of the Magpies defence, team-mate Craig Bellamy is definitely out.

The 24-year-old striker travelled to London yesterday to consult a specialist over his lingering knee problem, which will sideline him for the Partizan game, Birmingham's visit to St James' on Saturday.

That will come as a huge blow to Newcastle, although it will give stand-in striker Shola Ameobi another chance to prove he has what it takes to partner Alan Shearer in attack.