Celtic Captain Calls for Squad Strengthening After Champions League Exit

Callum McGregor did not try to sugar-coat it. Celtic’s captain walked away from Linz knowing the club’s Champions League exit had exposed more than just a fragile lead – it laid bare the thinness of Martin O’Neill’s squad.

Celtic had gone 4-0 up in the tie against LASK, only to see the advantage disintegrate. By the time the collapse was complete, the team on the pitch looked a long way from a side built for Europe’s elite stage.

A summer outlay of around £30million has brought in Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur. Money spent, statements made. But the closing stages in Austria told a different story: Celtic are still short.

The reshuffle was stark. Liam Scales finished the match at left-back. Dane Murray and Anthony Ralston were pressed into service in defence. Luke McCowan came on to bolster midfield. Sebastian Tounekti ended the night on the left flank. It looked patched together because it was.

With eight days left before the transfer window shuts, McGregor made it clear the job is not finished.

“I think we signed well,” he told BBC Sport Scotland when asked if Celtic had done enough business before the tie. “Then when you look at the team that finished the game – Scalesy playing at left-back, etc – then there’s still little bits we still need to move forward.”

He was careful not to turn a recruitment issue into a blame game.

“That’s not me pinning the blame on anyone else because this is a tie we go 4-0 up in, so by no means is this me saying we need a left-back. That’s not the case.

“But then, every squad wants to be as strong as it possibly can be, and have cover and good players in every position so we’re always pushing each other.”

That is the tension now facing Celtic. Significant money has already gone into attacking talent and potential, yet the raw reality of a European collapse has highlighted the need for depth, experience and genuine competition across the pitch.

The window is ticking down. The captain has delivered his message. The question is whether the board and recruitment team can respond in time – and with enough quality – to make sure nights like Linz do not become a theme of Celtic’s season.