Bhoycie 
TURIN, ITALY - MAY 8: Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC during the Serie A match between Torino FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Torino FC/Torino FC 1906 via Getty Images)
This is interesting.
And it becomes even more interesting when you put what Martin O’Neill said yesterday alongside what is now being reported about Celtic’s pursuit of Gvidas Gineitis.
O’Neill was directly asked whether Celtic’s attempts to strengthen before the transfer deadline were dependent on what happens against LASK tonight.
His answer was pretty clear:
“No, I hope that regardless of the result… we would still need to strengthen.”
Martin’s reasoning was simple. Celtic are guaranteed European football regardless of whether that’s the Champions League or Europa League, so the squad requires further additions either way.
I completely agree.
But now we have reports suggesting Celtic’s pursuit of Gineitis might be operating slightly differently.
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph says that, should tonight’s result go Celtic’s way, Celtic will pursue their interest in the Torino midfielder, who is reportedly valued at around £10million.
Italian transfer reporting is pointing in a similar direction, with Wednesday apparently emerging as an important day in deciding whether Celtic turn their interest into something more concrete.
Now, let’s be fair here.
Nobody is saying Celtic have agreed a deal for Gineitis which gets ripped up if LASK produce the comeback of all comebacks tonight.
That’s not the story.
But there does appear to be a suggestion that Celtic are waiting to discover their Champions League fate before deciding how aggressively they pursue a player at this sort of price point.
And that’s where you’ve lost me a wee bit.
Celtic are 3-0 ahead.
They’re potentially 90 minutes away from banking Champions League money.
But Martin has already publicly acknowledged that Celtic are currently “in the plus” from their transfer dealings and pointed towards players leaving the wage bill.
So why wait?
Arne Engels has gone. O’Neill himself has spoken about losing the running power Engels provided. Celtic need another midfielder regardless of whether Real Madrid or Roma are coming to Celtic Park this season.
If Gineitis is the guy Celtic have identified to replace that, then surely you back your judgement.
That’s actually the fascinating part of Martin’s comments for me.
He’s becoming increasingly comfortable publicly discussing what Celtic still need.
First it was quality over quantity.
Then it was acknowledging Celtic remain financially in the plus.
Now he’s explicitly removing Champions League qualification as a reason not to strengthen.
Maybe Martin is deliberately turning the screw again.
Because if Celtic get through tonight, there really are no excuses left.
And if they don’t?
According to the manager, there shouldn’t be any excuses then either.
Gineitis may or may not ultimately become a Celtic player.
But if Celtic genuinely believe he’s the £10million midfielder capable of improving O’Neill’s team, tonight shouldn’t decide whether they want him.
His ability should.
Keep Your Eyes On The Board.
The dinosaur board. Enough said. Now lest all watch the action. C’mon the bhoys.
He probably won’t come to Celtic now we’re out. The board have done it again, we have McCowan Scales, Murray and Ralston and Hatate who has downed tools, on the field with so much at stake. We took Tierney back on big wages and he could not get the 90 minutes again in such a huge match where you need experience. Greg Taylor would even have given you 90 mins and extra time. Protest now must happen, we simply cannot let this rinse and repeat each year continue. Is that now 8 out of 10 qualifiers lost purely because a lack of investment for these games. I wonder the total money lost due to their careful accountancy. Martin must have felt that tonight at 74 years, poor soul, the board have shafted him the most. Wouldn’t blame him one bit if he walked tomorrow. Many fans mellowed when hogh and Duran were signed, big mistake, we needed a lot more. This club has to change and fan sacrifice is the only way. We need to look seriously at next years ST sales and boycott all merchandise and many games. These charlatans in the boardroom must be continually asked to exit stage left asap, they are so weak and have zero will for the team to be heavily invested in. Michal Nicholson please go and take your yes men with you, otherwise you will be immortalised as the worst ever custodians. They sign a winger too late so he’s not fit to play in the most important tie of the season. Gross incompetence. Now we have Thursday, Sunday for the rest of the first half of the season at least which is hard on players and fans. Thanks Michael, you’ve surpassed yourself once again. We need to take some wisdom from Lazio supporters who are making it hard for their board. We complain and fill the stadium. Go figure