Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has tempered expectations regarding new signing Tomas Cvancara, who is set to join the club on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach. O’Neill emphasized that the Czech international should not be viewed as an immediate fix for the team’s ongoing challenges. Cvancara, 25, will be available for selection in time for Celtic’s match against Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday.
The forward struggled to make an impact in Germany, scoring just eight goals over two seasons before a brief loan to Antalyaspor in Turkey, where he netted only once in 11 appearances. His stint was cut short due to financial troubles at the Turkish club. O’Neill noted that Celtic is still seeking effective replacements for Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah, both of whom departed the club in 2025.
Speaking from Bologna ahead of a Europa League match, O’Neill shared updates on Cvancara’s situation: “I think it’s pretty close now. He’s undergoing his medical, and things are going well. He’ll be in for the weekend game in that case.”
O’Neill Highlights Cvancara’s Attributes
O’Neill elaborated on what fans can expect from the 6ft 2in striker. “He’s not a target man, believe it or not,” he explained. “He’s not really the John Hartson type, or the type when Chris Sutton played alongside Henrik Larsson. He’s quick, he’s agile, and he wants to prove himself.”
Despite these attributes, O’Neill cautioned against placing too much pressure on Cvancara. “If you think he’s the immediate answer to any sort of problem we have, I’m not sure I’d throw that sort of responsibility on him,” he stated.
O’Neill expressed relief that the club is finally moving towards their first signing of the transfer window. “We need some help and that was nice, I must admit,” he remarked. “And we’ve got some time still left to try and get a few more players in, if it’s at all possible. I’m hoping that it will be.”
Reports from Germany indicate that Celtic is also interested in Xaver Schlager, a midfielder from RB Leipzig. When asked about potential new signings ahead of the trip to Tynecastle, O’Neill remained focused on the immediate challenge. “Obviously this game takes the immediate priority. We get back on Friday and we’re working away, but I couldn’t really tell you at this minute.”
Challenges Ahead for Celtic
Celtic currently sits 24th in the Europa League with just seven points and faces a significant challenge to advance. Their recent performance includes a 3-1 victory over Feyenoord in Rotterdam, which offered a glimmer of hope. In contrast, they suffered a 3-0 home defeat against Roma under the management of Wilfried Nancy in his only European match to date.
“While their Serie A form might not be fantastic in recent weeks, we ourselves are trying to recover from our own league form,” O’Neill said. He confirmed that Anthony Ralston remains part of the squad as they prepare for their next match.
O’Neill acknowledged that his tenure at the club has been challenging, saying, “When I came to the football club, it’s been a bit of a struggle, but our focus was to try and get back on the domestic front as much as anything else. We’re in the competition, so we might as well see if we can get through.”
He also recognized the difficulty of the upcoming match, stating, “We’re well aware of the big fight on our hands against a side that wants to make the top eight. It’s away from home and a difficult task, but we intend to put our absolute heart and soul into it.”
As Celtic navigates these challenges, the arrival of Cvancara may provide a spark, but O’Neill’s cautious approach suggests that it will take more than one player to address the club’s struggles.
