Celtic’s Progress Amid Transfer Speculations

**Sportscene Highlights: Celtic vs. Falkirk**
**Date: 01/02/2026**

Celtic’s interim manager, Martin O’Neill, has disclosed that two prospective signings are currently undergoing medical examinations and suggested that further acquisitions could be made following his team’s 2-0 victory over Falkirk, which elevated them above Rangers into second place in the Scottish Premiership.

During the winter transfer window, the Parkhead club secured Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara on loan from Bournemouth and Borussia Monchengladbach, respectively. However, fans have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction regarding the perceived lack of investment this season, particularly in light of last summer’s inconsistent recruitment.

Benjamin Nygren currently leads the scoring chart for Celtic, having increased his tally to 15 with a goal against Falkirk. In contrast, players like Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Sebastian Tounekti have not consistently met expectations. Additionally, free signing Kelechi Iheanacho has struggled with both form and fitness. Although Kieran Tierney has shown moments of brilliance, he has yet to regain his top form from when he left for Arsenal in 2019.

The win against Falkirk marked a crucial moment for O’Neill’s side, placing them back in second after Rangers were held to a draw by Hibernian. Nevertheless, they still trail the league leaders, Hearts, by six points.

“We are [close to transfers],” O’Neill stated. “We have some medicals happening at the moment, and fingers crossed that the players come through successfully. We have a couple of potential additions and are hopeful of making late signings. This would bolster our chances as we aim to remain competitive until the end of the season.”

When questioned about specific targets, including Lorient’s Norwegian forward Joel Mvuka and Freiburg’s Austrian striker Junior Adamu—both linked with moves to Celtic—O’Neill refrained from confirming their identities but indicated that such speculation was not far from the truth.

With the transfer window set to close on Monday night at 23:00 GMT, former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations but voiced frustration over the drawn-out process of securing new talent.

“This is the most encouraging news I’ve heard from the manager in recent weeks,” Bonner remarked on Sportsound. “Once players reach the medical stage, it’s indicative that the deal is nearly finalized. It’s been a protracted process, and they must learn from this experience moving forward.”

As the transfer deadline approaches, it remains uncertain whether Celtic will finalize these signings. However, O’Neill has emphasized the necessity of strengthening the squad to enhance their prospects for silverware.

Cvancara, the latest addition to the team, made a notable impact during his debut against Hearts by assisting Yang Hyun-jun in a 2-2 draw and subsequently scored against Falkirk with a well-placed header. O’Neill noted that the Czech international had the highest number of touches in the Falkirk box among his teammates, suggesting significant potential for future contributions.

“It was a fantastic breakthrough for him, which was much needed,” O’Neill commented. “This will undoubtedly boost his confidence. While there are aspects of his game that require refinement, he is eager to demonstrate his capabilities. Having played limited football recently, he has made an impression in two games for us. His goal against Falkirk shows that he is determined to prove himself, and I believe he has the potential to become a valuable player for us.”

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