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Making progress’ – Martin O’Neill says new signing expected next week

Martin O’Neill spoke to the media earlier today, both the broadcast and written mainstream media as the club’s ban on the Celtic fan media continues…

Here’s what the Celtic manager has to say as he discusses Sunday’s cup tie at Rugby Park against Auchinleck Talbot, recalls his own history in the Scottish Cup and provides some additional information on timescale for likely arrivals in the transfer market…

Martin O’Neill: “For me, yeah, some good and some bad. I won it a few times, which is great. I think my memories of the Scottish Cup as a kid growing up was always because the only live game on TV would be the English Cup Final. You were always getting news at half-time about what was happening up at Hampden. The crowd that used to go to the game was phenomenal.

So, to come up and win it a few times was great. To lose, particularly to (Inverness) Caledonian Thistle way back when, was my fault really because I changed the team completely. I didn’t know whether we would have the energy having just beaten Liverpool on the Thursday night. So, some good and some bad.”

Martin O’Neill: “This is it, absolutely. Was it under police instructions that the game was moved? Looking forward to the game immensely. I’ve watched them and I want to be really careful

Martin O’Neill: “Do you know what? It might do. We have to play a lot better than we did the other night on the plastic surface anyway. Perhaps that might help. It might level things out a wee bit

Martin O’Neill: “I can’t tell you anything. For want of telling you, it’s news to me. But we are in search of those elusive goalscorers. But we’re not the only team as well. On a serious note, I can’t tell you anything about it, but we are… Is it becoming my favourite phrase? We are making progress. I bet you just turned off the microphone.”

Q: So he’s not one that’s on your radar?

Martin O’Neill: “I hadn’t thought about that. Not that he’s not a very, very fine player, but I thought that he was going elsewhere.”

Callum Wilson is the latest name you’re being linked with in your search for a striker. What can you tell us?

Martin O’Neill: “I can’t tell you anything. For want of telling you, it’s news to me. But we are in search of those elusive goalscorers. But we’re not the only team as well. On a serious note, I can’t tell you anything about it, but we are… Is it becoming my favourite phrase? We are making progress. I bet you just turned off the microphone.”

Q: So he’s not one that’s on your radar?

Martin O’Neill: “I hadn’t thought about that. Not that he’s not a very, very fine player, but I thought that he was going elsewhere.”

Are you any closer than when we last spoke to you on Wednesday night?

Martin O’Neill: “Remarkably, I think we are. We’re definitely a bit closer. I dread these interviews. I really do. I dread the questions coming up. I can’t wait until the 2nd or 3rd of February.

Q: You’ve still got two weeks of these questions!

Martin O’Neill: “No, I understand. Absolutely. Totally get it.”

Q: How important is it for you, do you think, to try and bring players in as soon as you can?

Martin O’Neill: “To me, it’s essential. Absolutely essential. I think we know that. Obviously, we can’t change the squad around for the Bologna game. But all next week, we would like to have some people in for Hearts, if it was at all possible.”

Martin O’Neill: “For me? If I wasn’t manager of Celtic, I’d be really disappointed, yes. And now, as I am manager of Celtic, I’m probably quite pleased. I’ve seen these before. They have some very, very decent attributes. They are top quality junior side, no question about it. And they’ve got players who will play as well. And to get here, this distance as well, it’s been brilliant.”

You mentioned some cup memories. How well do you remember the 2005 final? Can I throw that at you? Against Dundee United?

Martin O’Neill: “Yeah, last ever game. It’s funny that it was nice to end, but the previous week we had thrown the league away at Motherwell. And I knew that this was going to be my last game. So, it was lovely to win, but I have to say that the Motherwell game was still in my mind at that time.”

Q: I know that this is just the start of the competition, Martin. You’re talking about that being your last game. How much would you love your final game this time round to be the Scottish Cup final?

Martin O’Neill: “Oh, that would be terrific. That’s a couple of light-years away, but that would be great if it were true.

Q: Last one on signings, Martin. Anyone by this weekend, do you think?

Martin O’Neill: “I can’t think that there, but I’d be hoping by some stage next week that we’d have people there.”