Martin O’Neill will be handed a summer transfer pot to boost Celtic’s chances of European success after he agreed to stay on as manager at Parkhead for another season.
Reports from France suggest Tairyk Arconte, a 22-year-old Guadeloupean winger who plays for Ligue 2 side Rodez AF, is on a list of possible replacements for the likely departure of Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels.
Supporters have been frustrated by the board’s tardiness over recruitment and O’Neill is thought to have demanded more activity in the transfer market.
Celtic are facing competition for Arconte with Millwall and French club AJ Auxerre also said to be interested.
O’Neill will wish to make an immediate impact to build on his previous successes at the club, including the dramatic end to the 2025/26 season which began in turmoil and ended with two trophies.
The 74-year-old Northern Irishman has agreed a one-year deal with an option for a further 12 months following talks in London on Thursday night with the club’s controlling shareholder Dermot Desmond.
O’Neill had doubted his energy levels for another campaign but after defeating Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final and snatching the league title from long-time leaders Hearts on the final day, he will be keen to improve Celtic’s poor record in Europe.
He has required commitments from the board that will avoid a repeat of last summer’s inactivity that left the club weakened and created tension with Brendan Rodgers and an embarrassing Champions League play-off exit at the hands of Kazakh minnows Kairat Almaty.
Celtic turned to O’Neill in November following Wilfried Nancy’s departure after 33 days and the former European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest will have his eyes firmly on restoring continental pride to the east end of Glasgow.
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