Martin O'Neill says Celtic 'really trying' to secure his first January signing

Martin O'Neill, who has told Celtic fans the club are "really trying" to secure his first January signing amid fears Jota is likely to remain sidelined until the summer. Pic: Steve Welsh/PA Wire.

Martin O'Neill has told Celtic fans the club are "really trying" to secure his first January signing amid fears Jota is likely to remain sidelined until the summer.

Centre-back Stephen Welsh has been recalled from his loan spell at Motherwell, while Mexico defender Julian Araujo arrived on loan from Bournemouth earlier this month, before manager Wilfried Nancy and head of football operations Paul Tisdale left the club.

O'Neill began his second spell this season as interim boss with a 4-0 win over Dundee United at the weekend and is looking to add to his squad.

The 73-year-old has "discarded" some suggested targets but says the club are "relatively close" to bolstering their numbers.

"We are really trying, honestly, and obviously, selfishly, and as I said to you, I don't have any impediments from board level," said O'Neill, whose side sit third in the William Hill Premiership and can move above second-placed Rangers with a win at Falkirk on Wednesday night.

"I think we all want to try to do something, which is great.

"So I'm not blaming anybody. We will try and get people in.

"But it genuinely is at this stage, even though it's halfway through January, it is looking around to see what could fit for us, as much as anything else. And, we'll see.

"Again, it's not perfect.

"We might end up having to do some things that, that you take somebody on loan, that you think you wouldn't be looking to sign for three or four years, for instance, something like that.

"I have an idea about a player and things are being presented to me.

"Now, of course, I would like to act more quickly.

"I think I'm trying to do that, and then I obviously have the other things to deal with, the clubs and then the players themselves. And some people that I would really like may choose to go elsewhere.

"If I, myself, had a bit more preparation for it, then I maybe could have worked a bit more quickly."

Jota has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury against Dundee United in April last year.

It was hoped that the Portuguese attacker, in his second spell at the Parkhead club, would be available for the final few months of the season, but O'Neill said: "In terms of the long-term injuries, I don't see Jota being back this season.

"I think that Alistair Johnston would probably make a fightback, and he's hoping to be maybe some time in March, and that would be great if that's the case.

"But the longer-term injuries, I don't see it."