Post by Taxigirl on May 28, 2004 10:32:19 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/3755445.stm
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill wants to sign at least four top-class players with a view to making an impact in next season's Champions League.
O'Neill has lost Henrik Larsson and Liam Miller, as well as John Kennedy and Shaun Maloney, who are long-term injury victims.
He wants replacements for those four and has hinted others may leave.
"We want to go out to try and significantly improve the side," O'Neill told the Celtic View.
"In an ideal world you'd love to think that replacements for the likes of Henrik are on our own doorstep and I do think the future here is pretty bright with the likes of (Aiden) McGeady, (David) Marshall, (Ross) Wallace and (Craig) Beattie making inroads into the side," he added.
"With a bit of luck John Kennedy and Shaun Maloney will also form a major part of our plans when they come back from injury and I'd certainly like to think we have a few young players who can reduce the need to bring in people from elsewhere.
"But we also know that, in the short-term at least, we will need to bring in top-class players and that's what we'll endeavour to do.
"Our aim will be to retain the championship next season and it's clear to see that Rangers are improving their side so we'll be starting afresh with nothing guaranteed.
"We'd also love to progress in the Champions League having come so close to reaching the last 16 this season and to do that you need quality players and genuine competition for places.
"That's what we're trying to achieve and hopefully we'll make some progress over the next month or so."
First, though, O'Neill is planning a break from football.
"Obviously I'll be keeping a keen eye on the transfer situation and I'll be watching the European Championships, particularly those games involving our players," he added.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill wants to sign at least four top-class players with a view to making an impact in next season's Champions League.
O'Neill has lost Henrik Larsson and Liam Miller, as well as John Kennedy and Shaun Maloney, who are long-term injury victims.
He wants replacements for those four and has hinted others may leave.
"We want to go out to try and significantly improve the side," O'Neill told the Celtic View.
"In an ideal world you'd love to think that replacements for the likes of Henrik are on our own doorstep and I do think the future here is pretty bright with the likes of (Aiden) McGeady, (David) Marshall, (Ross) Wallace and (Craig) Beattie making inroads into the side," he added.
"With a bit of luck John Kennedy and Shaun Maloney will also form a major part of our plans when they come back from injury and I'd certainly like to think we have a few young players who can reduce the need to bring in people from elsewhere.
"But we also know that, in the short-term at least, we will need to bring in top-class players and that's what we'll endeavour to do.
"Our aim will be to retain the championship next season and it's clear to see that Rangers are improving their side so we'll be starting afresh with nothing guaranteed.
"We'd also love to progress in the Champions League having come so close to reaching the last 16 this season and to do that you need quality players and genuine competition for places.
"That's what we're trying to achieve and hopefully we'll make some progress over the next month or so."
First, though, O'Neill is planning a break from football.
"Obviously I'll be keeping a keen eye on the transfer situation and I'll be watching the European Championships, particularly those games involving our players," he added.