Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is urging fans to be patient as the club works on bringing in “necessary” signings to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window. With Celtic trailing Hearts by six points in the Scottish Premiership, supporters are demanding reinforcements, particularly in attack, to help defend the league title.

O’Neill kept his 100% domestic record intact this season with a 1-0 win at Falkirk, but the performance raised questions. The team managed just two shots on target, leaving fans and pundits concerned about their firepower and overall creativity.

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Concerns Over Celtic’s Goal-Scoring Record

Much of the conversation around Celtic this season revolves around their need for a proven striker. While Benjamin Nygren scored the winning goal against Falkirk, taking his tally to 10 league goals, he has mostly played as a winger or midfielder rather than in a traditional striker role.

Celtic are currently underperforming their expected goals by 10, with only the fourth-best conversion rate in the league and the second-lowest shooting accuracy. The team has scored 39 goals in 22 games this season, compared to 61 goals at the same stage last year.

Former Celtic midfielder John Collins believes the addition of an experienced centre-forward could transform the team’s attacking output.

“It’s hard playing football without a natural centre forward,” Collins told BBC Scotland’s Sportsound. “A good striker can change everything. You’re getting half chances, next thing you know you’re 3-0 up. Chances Celtic create would convert to comfortable wins with a quality striker.”

Last season’s top scorer, Daizen Maeda, has seven league goals this term but remains a player who thrives running in behind defenses rather than serving as a link-up forward.

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Transfers and Squad Reinforcements

Celtic have already made a loan signing, bringing in right-back Julian Araujo from Bournemouth to cover injuries and bolster defensive depth.

However, O’Neill has stressed that more reinforcements are needed in key attacking and midfield positions. Collins suggests that the squad could benefit from:

• Another athletic central midfielder to share the workload with Callum McGregor.
• A winger who can consistently deliver quality crosses and maintain intensity across the full match.

“Engels has inconsistent games, Nygren comes in and out, and McGregor is always performing. They need more quality in the central areas,” Collins added.

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O’Neill Calls for Patience

Despite mounting fan pressure, O’Neill asked for calm and emphasized the club is making progress behind the scenes.

“We’re making progress on things and certainly by the end of the window we should have some players to supplement this squad. Just give us a little bit of time, cut me some slack, and we’ll be OK,” O’Neill said.

He highlighted that his immediate priority remains winning matches, while ensuring the squad gains additional quality to compete at the top of the Premiership.

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Fan Reactions

Celtic fans have expressed frustration over the perceived lack of recruitment, especially after the Falkirk game.

• Peter: “We were outplayed by a team that were in the Championship last season. We need several new players. If O’Neill does not get them, he should do what Brendan Rodgers did and walk away.”
• John: “Poor performance. We are constantly told we need signings, yet all we have is one loan deal despite money in the bank.”
• Alfie: “Much better, but we still need quality players. The squad isn’t solid yet.”
• Davy: “I can’t believe how bad this Celtic team are. Very painful to watch as a fan.”

With Celtic’s next league fixture against Hearts looming, the January transfer window becomes even more critical. Fans are hoping for impactful signings to solidify the squad and boost Celtic’s title credentials before the second half of the season.