O'Neill wants to avoid Celtic repeat

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has told the club’s board he never wants to go into another European game with a weakened side.

O’Neill is hopeful of landing a number of targets and wants a playmaker to add a new dimension to his side.

Middlesbrough’s Brazilian midfielder Juninho is one man who the Northern Irishman is trying to tempt to Scotland but so far no signings, other than a loan deal for Wolves’ Henri Camara, have punctuated the post-Henrik Larsson era.

The transfer deadline is fast approaching and O’Neill told Celtic View: “Whatever happens, once September 1 arrives that’s us until January time and we will have to get on with it regardless.

“There is still time and I think we can use that to add a bit of strength in depth.

“We suffered for not having that last season when a few injuries and suspensions hampered our progress and I don’t want to go into big games again fielding weakened sides when we have the capability of doing something about it.

“I did find it pretty ironic that, as our opponents in the UEFA Cup last season became more and more difficult, we ourselves were becoming weaker with the loss of key players.”

Exactly how much cash O’Neill will be allowed to spend is unclear, especially as the club has been more cautious with its cash in recent seasons than neighbours Rangers.

Rangers are currently crippled by huge debts and Celtic’s financial position is much stronger as a result of being far more careful.

But a statement from chairman Brian Quinn in the annual report certainly appeared to prove O‘Neill‘s point.

It read: “In Europe...the team did not go on to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League; but it did reach the quarter-final of the UEFA Cup after a memorable victory over Barcelona.

“Deprived of injury of three of our four recognised strikers, Celtic went out to Villarreal.”

Meanwhile, centre-back Bobo Balde is making a swift recovery from malaria and could make a comeback on Sunday when the Hoops take on Inverness at Aberdeen.