Football Jul 08, 2026

Celtic transfer news: Martin O'Neill confident Camilo Duran deal will only be start of summer signings

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Celtic transfer news: Martin O'Neill confident Camilo Duran deal will only be start of summer signings

Martin O’Neill is anticipating Celtic's transfer business to accelerate with Camilo Duran on the verge of becoming the club's first new summer signing.

After undergoing a medical, the 24-year-old will join the Hoops for a fee in the region of £6m following a fruitful 2025-26 campaign with Qarabag during which he scored five goals in the Champions League.

Veteran midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has agreed a new one-year deal after initally joining on a short-term contract in January, but fans are growing frustrated at the club's lack of transfer business ahead of the new season.

"We have a number of players that we're looking at," O'Neill said.

"We've had a number of offers in for players as well too at the same time.

"And I'm hoping in the not-too-distant future, and I mean maybe in the next couple of weeks, that we will have some really decent players at the football club to add to the very decent players we have at the football club."

Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers played the first half of the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne - in which both sides scored late penalties - as he made his first appearance since October following a ruptured Achilles.

"At first, I just thought I had a bit of cramp in my calf," the United States international said of an injury sustained in a Europa League win over Sturm Graz.

"Pretty soon after that, when the physios saw it, they thought it was a rupture in the Achilles, which it turned out to be. Obviously at that point, you know it's going to be a long-term injury.

"For me, it was just about understanding that's the situation you're in and just working towards getting back in the best shape and the best way possible.

"It was just about not getting too far ahead of yourself and kind of chasing small gains and being happy with small gains. I was in a cast for three weeks then a boot for eight.

"You can't really move your foot in any type of direction at first so right at the beginning of the rehab, it was about when I did get a bit of movement back in my foot, it was about taking that as a win and being positive about it and then after that you're chasing the next thing and the next thing."

Chris Sutton believes Celtic may need to spend more than £50m overhauling their squad this summer if they are to retain their Premiership title and compete in the Champions League.

"Martin worked wonders last season. I didn't see Celtic winning the title from the position which he was put in on a couple of occasions," he told Your Site News.

"I mean, the run towards the end of the season was extraordinary but I still think you can't get away from the fact there needs to be a lot of change at Celtic in terms of recruitment.

"They've got the Champions League qualifier which is really important and, however exciting it was for Celtic fans to end up getting over the line last season, you can't get away from the fact that Celtic struggled at times throughout the season. Martin will be looking to, I'm sure, bring players in.

"It'll be interesting to see who goes out from Celtic. It looks like Reo Hatate will go, possibly Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels but they're big players for the team. Who are Celtic going to replace those type of players with? Celtic are possibly going to have to spend up to or more than £50m really because the squad does need a rebuild."

Celtic begin their Scottish Premiership title defence at home to Dundee on August 3, live on Your Site.

The Monday night fixture, which will kick-off at 7.30pm, rounds off a ground-breaking opening weekend that will see for the first time.

for all of Celtic's Premiership fixtures, including dates of the first Old Firm clash this season.

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

'Overturn this' - Belgium mock US President Donald Trump and FIFA after USA World Cup exit

'Overturn this' - Belgium mock US President Donald Trump and FIFA after USA World Cup exit

Belgium players appeared to mock US President Donald Trump and FIFA after eliminating co-hosts USA from the World Cup.The PR circus surrounding Folari...

Premier League 2026/27 fixtures live on Sky Sports: Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man Utd vs Man City live on Sky in September

Premier League 2026/27 fixtures live on Sky Sports: Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man Utd vs Man City live on Sky in September

Premier League champions Arsenal against London rivals Chelsea, the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola's return t...

Alvaro Arbeloa: Fulham appoint ex-Real Madrid boss as new head coach following Marco Silva's departure

Alvaro Arbeloa: Fulham appoint ex-Real Madrid boss as new head coach following Marco Silva's departure

Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as Fulham's new head coach.The ex-Real Madrid boss has signed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage to become Marco Si...

Premier League 2026/27 fixtures live on Sky Sports: Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man Utd vs Man City live on Sky in September

Premier League 2026/27 fixtures live on Sky Sports: Arsenal vs Chelsea and Man Utd vs Man City live on Sky in September

Premier League champions Arsenal against London rivals Chelsea, the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola's return t...

Lionel Messi helped save Argentina's World Cup dream against Egypt as he defied time - and his own struggles

Lionel Messi helped save Argentina's World Cup dream against Egypt as he defied time - and his own struggles

Lionel Messi's career has been intertwined with that of Cristiano Ronaldo for what must seem like forever for the pair. For much of the game against E...

Argentina 3-2 Egypt: Hossam Hassan says officiating 'unfair' and World Cup 'directed towards' reigning champions

Argentina 3-2 Egypt: Hossam Hassan says officiating 'unfair' and World Cup 'directed towards' reigning champions

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan said the referee was "unfair" and claimed the World Cup was "directed towards Argentina" following their dramatic 3-2 d...