Martin O’Neill admitted that Celtic’s unimpressive display against Falkirk underscored the need for new recruits to arrive in the January window.
The champions secured victory over Falkirk thanks to Benjamin Nygren’s header late in the first half. But, after seeing his side fail to hit the heights they reached on his returned to the dug-out against Dundee United last Saturday, O’Neill felt the case for fresh blood could not be clearer.
‘It was on a knife edge,’ said the 73-year-old boss after Celtic leapfrogged Rangers into second place. ‘Falkirk had some good chances in the first half and on another night they might have scored.
‘We didn’t play well. We saw it through and we can play much, much better.
‘It just seems strange. It was a contrast to Saturday when we were so good. We were tentative and lost the ball in areas where we shouldn’t have
‘Overall, Falkirk found themselves really unlucky to be behind at half-time in the game.
Martin O’Neill was happy with victory but not with his Celtic team’s performance
Benjamin Nygren savours his breakthrough goal for the Parkhead side in Falkirk
Bairns boss John McGlynn can’t believe the number of chances his team passed up
‘I thought we pressed a bit better in the second half but, overall, we didn’t play well in the game.
‘I just thought, certainly in the first half, we were second best. We seemed devoid of that real energy that is necessary. Obviously, I am delighted to have won the game because we will play better.’
Asked if the display showed there was a pressing need for recruits,’ O’Neill replied: ‘I think that’s a good point. But, you know, I am trying. I know I haven’t done anything since yesterday, but I am trying. We will definitely get people in.’
O’Neill feels it might be a case of churning out results until new faces arrive.
‘That is absolutely right – we will have to do that. Saturday was nice, to play in the manner we did, particularly the first game back in this new spell of mine. Is it the second spell or the 43rd? I don’t know.
‘But tonight, the circumstances were totally different. We’re playing on an artificial surface – no problem with that, because they played well at Livingston and scored four goals. That shouldn’t be a problem. That’s the same for everyone. But things were different and you have to adjust and adapt.. That’s the nature of the game. They have to dig and for that I’m eternally grateful.’
With Hearts beating St Mirren with 10-men, O’Neill again stressed the urgency of his side’s situation.
O’Neill is deep in thought as he fight for points while trying to bring in new recruits at same time
Kasper Schmeichel hails the travelling fans after his second-half save proved crucial
Shaun Maloney and Martin O’Neill roar their instructions to players during a tough night
‘Obviously, there are loads of things you can improve on. But the most important thing is obviously winning tonight.
‘Hearts have won as well and our margin of error is very, very small, really. We dropped a lot of points. So winning tonight was the most important thing.
‘We can play much better and we will. Having said this, some really decent performances. Kasper (Schmeichel) makes a a really, really great save, which he has been doing all his life, in all honesty. Particularly when his dad (Peter) was here tonight. Great. So, there you are, emulating the father. Can’t be bad.”
Celtic have again been linked with a move for David Datro Fofana, Chelsea’s Ivory Coast international, who is set to have his loan at Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk cut short.
They were in talks with the Blues over the 23-year-old forward last summer, but the move fell through. Derby are also understood to be interested in a player who has scored seven goals in 14 games this season.
Croatian forward Franko Kovacevic, who plays with Slovenian side Celje, has also been strongly linked. Asked if he had looked at him, O’Neill said: ‘I’m probably sure I have done. I’ve only looked at about four and a half thousand at this minute and that’s not bad given I’m only in a week.’
Bairns boss John McGlyn said: ‘I felt we deserved to take something from the game.’
