Celtic January Signings Urged By O'Neill As Squad Strength Is Crucial For Utrecht Clash

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Celtic enter their Europa League meeting with Utrecht knowing a victory will seal a play-off place, yet Martin O'Neill admits the squad is stretched thin by injuries and a quiet January window, warning that the current demands across competitions are leaving players close to exhaustion.

O'Neill stressed that progress in Europe, added to domestic fixtures, will ask even more from a group already missing several important names, and underlined that new arrivals are needed quickly if Celtic are to cope with a busy schedule in the coming weeks.

The manager highlighted how recruitment has stalled so far, with Celtic yet to pay a transfer fee in January while Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara have joined on loan from Bournemouth and Borussia Monchengladbach, leaving O'Neill still searching for permanent solutions to deepen options.

Listing the absentees, O'Neill must plan without Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota, among others, because of injury, and the manager believes those losses increase the urgency for business before the window closes later in the month.

"We need to strengthen the squad, that's what we're trying to do. Whether we have anyone in for Sunday, I don't know," O'Neill told reporters. "We are making strenuous efforts to improve the team.I think that we can do something. I know days are pressing; that's very, very obvious. I'm hopeful."

When asked if a deeper group was required to manage both domestic and European commitments, O'Neill did not hide the reality facing Celtic, pointing out that any further progress in the Europa League will immediately increase the number of fixtures without space for recovery.

"You are absolutely right. If we were lucky enough to get through, you're going to play at least a couple of games; there's no midweek breakthat's the problem. You do need a proper squad for that." The manager said the issue was clear after recent matches, including the game at Hearts.

Reflecting on that Hearts match, O'Neill felt the players showed resilience following a red card, referencing how the team managed to hold on despite being under pressure, yet described the squad as "out on their feet" by full-time, underlining concerns about fatigue building.

Celtic Europa League test against struggling Utrecht

Celtic sit 24th in the 36-team Europa League table and face a Utrecht side already out of the competition, with Ron Jans' team having collected only one point from seven league phase fixtures, but O'Neill insisted that status should not lead to any drop in focus.

Celtic’s recent record against Dutch clubs is positive, with victories over Feyenoord in December 2023 and November 2025, yet Utrecht’s poor away European form, stretching back to a 4-0 win at MSK Zilina in October 2003, did not comfort O'Neill.

"We have to win the game. It's as simple as that. If we do win the game, we're through," O'Neill said, making clear that nothing less than three points will be enough, even if the visitors arrive in Glasgow already eliminated from the Europa League.

"It's not as easy as that. I've had a look at them and, despite their recent record, these boys can play. They're definitely a decent side, coming here with nothing to concern themselves. They're probably thinking, let's go out and enjoy it, and that's a danger in itself. They can play. You give them an opportunity, and they will cause you problems."

Utrecht’s freedom from pressure, O'Neill suggested, might make them more dangerous opponents, as Ron Jans' players can approach the Europa League tie with an open mindset, while Celtic must balance the need for victory with careful management of a tired and injury-hit squad.

As Celtic prepare for Thursday’s Europa League fixture, O'Neill faces the dual challenge of securing qualification against Utrecht and pushing for crucial January signings, knowing the outcome of both efforts will shape how well the club can compete across domestic and European fronts this season.