Celtic discuss upcoming signings, explain why two players were missed, reveal a mystery ban, and describe the ‘longest medical in history.’

Martin O’Neill believes Celtic are ready for an important week as they prepare for their Champions League play-off against LASK, following an impressive 4-0 victory over Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup.

The Scottish champions produced another convincing attacking display at Tannadice, with their revitalised forward line once again showing its quality. Camilo Duran opened his Celtic account during the comfortable win, while new arrivals Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur were both given their first appearances for the club after completing moves earlier in the week.

Attention will now immediately switch towards Europe, with Celtic preparing for a crucial two-legged tie against Austrian side LASK. The first encounter will take place at Celtic Park on Wednesday before O’Neill’s team travel to Linz for the return match the following Tuesday.

The importance of the fixtures is not lost on the experienced Celtic manager, who recognises that Champions League qualification would bring significant sporting and financial rewards.

Sebastian Tounekti was among the scorers as Celtic beat Dundee United 4-0. | SNS Group

O’Neill knows Celtic face a huge week

Speaking after the Dundee United victory, O’Neill described the next few days as a major period for Celtic.

He highlighted the prestige attached to Champions League qualification, as well as the financial benefits that would come with reaching Europe’s elite club competition.

The manager wants his players to be as prepared as possible before Wednesday’s opening leg.

While Celtic’s 4-0 victory was ultimately comfortable, O’Neill admitted that there were still areas of the performance that required improvement.

He was pleased with some of the football his side produced but felt there were periods when Celtic became careless in possession and allowed Dundee United opportunities to remain competitive.

O’Neill pointed out that the hosts struck the woodwork several times, hitting the post and crossbar on four or five occasions.

Although Celtic had established a commanding advantage by the time they scored their third goal, O’Neill believed Dundee United remained in the contest before that point.

The manager therefore knows his side cannot afford similar lapses against LASK.

He wants Celtic to improve their concentration and become more disciplined before their Champions League assignment.

More Celtic signings could still arrive

O’Neill was also asked whether Celtic could bring in additional players before facing LASK for the first time.

The manager suggested that further recruitment remains possible but admitted that getting another signing completed before Wednesday would be more difficult.

Celtic have already submitted their squad for the European tie, but UEFA regulations provide an opportunity to add up to two more eligible players before the relevant deadline.

O’Neill indicated that the club remains hopeful of adding further quality to the squad, although supporters may have to wait beyond the first leg before seeing more arrivals.

“I think that we can add to it,” O’Neill explained, while acknowledging that the timing could make things difficult.

For now, the manager appears satisfied with the business already completed, particularly after Celtic added Hassan and Baur to an attack and midfield that have been strengthened considerably this summer.

Why Ralston and Yang missed out

Celtic were without Anthony Ralston and Yang Hyun-jun for the match at Tannadice, prompting questions about their availability ahead of the LASK clash.

O’Neill explained that Ralston was actually with the squad but could not be included because of the restrictions on the number of players permitted in the match-day squad.

Yang’s absence was slightly different.

The winger reportedly experienced significant stiffness following Thursday’s training session and subsequently missed the next day’s session.

However, O’Neill offered a positive update by suggesting that Yang should recover in time to be considered for Wednesday’s European fixture.

That would provide Celtic with another attacking option as they prepare for one of the most important matches of their season so far.

Oxlade-Chamberlain discovers bizarre European suspension

One of the stranger developments involved Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The midfielder will miss Celtic’s Champions League play-off fixtures after an old European suspension resurfaced.

O’Neill joked about the extraordinary circumstances, explaining that the suspension dates back around 27 years — although it was actually connected to a second-yellow-card incident from much earlier in the player’s career history and had remained outstanding.

The Celtic manager admitted that neither the club nor Oxlade-Chamberlain had been aware of the suspension when he joined.

O’Neill suggested that the midfielder may have assumed the punishment had disappeared because he had subsequently played matches for his previous club.

However, because he did not feature in the relevant games, the suspension was apparently never completed.

The unusual situation means Oxlade-Chamberlain will now have to sit out Celtic’s European fixtures against LASK.

Engels completes West Ham transfer

Another major talking point was the absence of Arne Engels, whose Celtic future had been the subject of intense speculation.

By the time O’Neill spoke to the media, Engels was completing the final stages of his move to West Ham United.

When asked about the Belgian midfielder, O’Neill jokingly remarked that he believed Engels was undergoing his medical the previous day and quipped that it might be “the longest medical in history.”

The move was officially confirmed only minutes after the Celtic manager’s press conference.

Engels has now joined West Ham in a deal worth approximately £22 million, bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding his future.

His departure leaves Celtic without another important midfield option just before their Champions League play-off, increasing the importance of Baur’s arrival and potentially strengthening O’Neill’s desire for further recruitment.

With new signings settling in, key players recovering from minor issues, a bizarre suspension to manage and Engels officially departing, Celtic head into their European challenge with plenty happening behind the scenes.

The immediate objective, however, remains clear: eliminate LASK and secure a place in the Champions League.