Celtic's pursuit of Xaver Schlager is a non-starter, with a clear denial from Martin O'Neill!
Whispers in the football world had suggested that Celtic might be making a move for RB Leipzig's talented midfielder, Xaver Schlager. Reports emerging from Germany indicated that the Scottish club had indeed put a pre-contract offer on the table for the 28-year-old Austrian international, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Schlager has reportedly turned down a new deal with Leipzig, sparking interest from other major clubs, including Italian giants Juventus, who are also rumored to be keen on securing his signature without a transfer fee.
However, Martin O'Neill has firmly shut down these rumors, stating emphatically, “No. Definitely not.” This clear-cut response puts an end to speculation linking Schlager with a move to Parkhead.
But here's where it gets interesting... O'Neill was rather guarded when asked about his own involvement in the club's upcoming summer transfer strategy. With a new manager widely expected to take the reins, the veteran boss hinted that the club needs a significant overhaul in how they approach player recruitment. He acknowledged that Celtic must learn from the missteps of the current season and implement a more effective system.
"Let's see how the season pans out first!" O'Neill commented, adding a touch of self-deprecating humor: "They won’t want much of my involvement if we don’t win another game." He stressed the importance of the incoming manager having his own established scouting network and a "more robust look at how we approach the transfer market." He also pointed out that transfers shouldn't be left to the eleventh hour, implying that better planning and preparation are needed, unlike what may have happened previously.
This comes at a time when Celtic is still without a permanent head of football operations, following the departure of Paul Tisdale in January after a challenging eighteen months. When questioned about the progress in finding a new recruitment chief, O'Neill expressed his uncertainty but expressed confidence that "some sort of structure will come in that takes all of that into consideration."
What do you think? Is it time for a complete overhaul of Celtic's transfer strategy, or are these rumors just a distraction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
