O'Neill hopeful over transfers despite LASK defeat
Quick summary
Manager O'Neill expressed optimism about completing transfer business despite his side losing to Austrian side LASK in a pre-season friendly.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceCeltic manager Martin O'Neill hopes missing out on the Champions League will not mean missing out on prospective targets.
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What happened
O'Neill's side fell to LASK in pre-season action, but the manager struck a positive tone on the club's recruitment efforts. With the new season approaching, he indicated that further signings remain a priority and that the squad is taking shape. The result in Austria is part of pre-season preparations, with the competitive campaign looming.
Chance analysis
Pre-season defeats carry limited weight once the league starts, but managers using them as a platform to publicly project confidence in the transfer market is a familiar tactic. O'Neill's framing suggests his club is still active in the market, and that incoming business could shift the squad's outlook before the competitive fixtures begin. The LASK loss is incidental to a story that is really about recruitment intent and squad-building timeline.
Likely limited impact on match prediction from the friendly loss, but ongoing transfer activity may reshape the squad's quality ahead of the competitive season.