Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admitted he “wasn’t totally convinced” about the club’s recent transfer dealings when asked about Paul Tisdale’s influence behind the scenes…
O’Neill was pressed on whether he had to take a more direct role in player recruitment during the January window following Tisdale’s exit from Celtic.
In a separate announcement confirming Wilfried Nancy’s departure, the club added: “The Club can also confirm that Paul Tisdale has left his position as Head of Football Operations.
“We thank Paul for the contribution he has made in that role.”
Speaking to Chris Sutton on Sky Sports, O’Neill was asked about Celtic’s recruitment strategy, with the discussion touching on Paul Tisdale’s former role at the club.
“If you’re asking me honestly, I think that I wasn’t totally convinced about the [previous]recruitment for Celtic Football Club,” O’Neill said.
“It’s still a big club, and the ambition of the football club is to play big European matches, to be involved in big European games. We’ve actually turned down big, big money this week [for Arne Engels].”
“I know it was very late in the transfer market and so getting ideal replacements in was going to be difficult, but surely that might show you a sign that at least we’ve held onto our players.”
“Did I go into the board and say to them, ‘are you going to stop this?’ No, I didn’t; they stopped it themselves, so they’ve got to get some credit for that.”
When pressed on whether he was satisfied with the club’s January dealings, he went on to say: “I’m a football manager, so satisfaction and football management never go together. But I am happy, I’m happy with what we’ve done.”
“I needed to supplement the squad, and I wanted to try and – if we can, like anything else – bring in a bit of quality. Getting quality at this time, with the sort of thing you’re looking for, is still particularly difficult.”
🍀 A 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁-𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 as Chris Sutton meets Martin O’Neill!
They discuss his second spell in charge this season, hoping for “reconciliation” between the club and fans, recruitment concerns, January transfers, Hearts being title favourites & more ⤵️https://t.co/XIMUkg9vjJ
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 4, 2026
Conor Spence
There is little to no evidence to suggest that Rodgers and Tisdale had much if any working relationship whatsoever imo?
Seemed like Tisdale was only interested in the lower end of the transfer market. Which only highlights just how bad our development of players still remains? Rodgers was looking for the higher end of the market but some of his decision making had become questionable also imo?
And Nicholson seems to be way out of his depth in trying to get deals done?
So having 3 who seem to be on 3 different agendas, isn’t going to work properly as a result, hence the chaos created?
Would say Tisdale was most responsible for the hiring of Nancy?So no surprise that both ended up getting shown the door.
So MoN and Maloney are tasked with trying to salvage the shitshow created, even though I can’t see MoN remaining as manager come the summer? But a total rebuild will be required.
So wasn’t surprised that the loan market was chosen for January, with what lies in store, come the summer.
Personally don’t believe that Nicholson is making the decisions regarding incoming and outgoing players myself?
But then I got very little confidence within his abilities to do the job that is required also imo?
But surely there has to be improvements made in the recruitment/selling of players?
And forming a personal who can actually work together, has to be a start in the decision making process that is involved?
Without that in place, all Scottish teams will be hampered for the season ahead, without the TV money available.
The extended European football calendar now in place, makes the January window even harder now to contend with, especially as a club looking to make progress in the knockout stages now?
So squad building is even more vital in the summer period.
Development has to start improving to give a squad extra depth, to cover injuries, that no amount of planning covers, but has to be considered more so, with the footballing calendar as it is nowadays?
And that area between the decision makers, right at the very beginning of the process involved, potentially sets the tone for the season ahead, with the amount of challenges that are to be faced?
Still at a loss as to how such a simple enough process, could develop into such a farce?
Unlikely to ever get the full picture of what actually goes on behind the scenes either imo?