Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has urged patience over January business after a narrow 1-0 win at Falkirk kept alive hopes of catching leaders Hearts, who remain six points ahead, as O'Neill tries to balance short-term results with measured decisions in the market during a crucial title race.
The victory, secured by Benjamin Nygren's goal on 43 minutes, preserved O'Neill's perfect domestic record since returning at the start of January following Wilfried Nancy's 33-day spell, yet Celtic's display raised concerns, with the side struggling to create clear chances despite controlling long spells without turning pressure into high-quality opportunities.
The performance data underlined those worries, as Celtic produced an expected goals figure of only
0.77 from eight attempts, with two shots on target, while Falkirk generated 1.77 from 11 efforts at Kasper Schmeichel, highlighting ongoing attacking issues that Celtic hope January Celtic transfer decisions can help address.
O'Neill confirmed that a forward remains a key Celtic transfer target, with a striker or wide attacker viewed as the main priority, especially after revealing Jota is unlikely to feature again this season following a serious knee injury against Dundee United last April that had initially been expected to heal in time for a February return.
Discussing broader January plans, O'Neill struck a calm tone despite limited movement so far, explaining the need to strengthen carefully while maintaining focus on results in the Scottish Premiership, where Celtic are chasing Hearts and cannot afford many slips during a busy schedule that tests squad depth and resilience.
"We're making progress on things and certainly by the end of the window we should have some players to supplement this squad," O'Neill told BBC Scotland. "I thought my time was done here, so I wasn't expecting to pick up the piecesand look at the players. Just give us a little bit of time, cut me a little bit of slack and we'll be OK. The focus is to try and win some football matches, but the other aspect to it is to add a bit of extra quality to help the players out here. I know you're thinking, we're halfway through January now, but I think that we're relatively close. "
So far this month, only right-back Julian Araujo has joined Celtic on loan, meaning the current Celtic transfer window has been quiet compared with the summer, when the club made 11 signings, nine on permanent deals, including the notable arrival of Sebastian Tounekti from Hammarby to refresh the squad.
"Obviously, I'd like to bolster the squad," O'Niell added. "I don't see, for instance, in terms of the long-term injuries, I don't see Jota being back this season. I think that Alistair Johnston would probably make a fight back, and he's hoping to be maybe sometime in March, and that would be great if that's the case. But the longer-term injuries, I don't see it. "
Defensive cover and Welsh recall in Celtic transfer strategy
In defence, Celtic have already acted within this Celtic transfer window by recalling Stephen Welsh from his loan at Motherwell, with Cameron Carter-Vickers still sidelined and O'Neill wanting extra cover for Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, even though Welsh has been performing well at Fir Park and gaining regular minutes.
"Number one, he's our player. So that means something," O'Neill said. "He's having a really great time at Motherwell, and I understand from a playing viewpoint that having got himself up and running, he might not have wanted that disturbed. There was a cut-off point where we could take him back and then send him back to Motherwell. That might happen. "
As Celtic chase Hearts at the top, O'Neill's message centres on steady progress rather than rushed Celtic transfer moves, with the manager trusting that targeted additions, improved finishing and the possible March return of Alistair Johnston can support an already winning domestic run while coping with the setback of Jota's expected season-long absence.
