O’Neill can drop Kenny by signing a “physical” £3m striker as his first Celtic move

Martin O’Neill has made it clear that he will hold ultimate authority over Celtic’s transfer business for the remainder of the January window, despite his role as interim manager. While the Northern Irishman will listen to advice and opinions from within the club’s recruitment structure, the final decision on who comes in will be his. That clarity over control could prove crucial as Celtic look to address one of their most pressing issues this season.

🏆 “It is a difficult task for us…”
📝 “The squad needs strengthening.”
🗣️ “We are in a bit of difficulty, we have to fight back.”

Martin O’Neill on transfers and the title race after returning to Celtic as interim boss once again ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/vmgtvUAUYC

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 6, 2026

O’Neill’s appointment may only run until the end of the 2025/26 campaign, but the challenges in front of him are immediate. Celtic’s struggles in front of goal have been impossible to ignore, and regardless of whether Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy or O’Neill himself had been in the dugout, the need to strengthen in attack was always going to be unavoidable. The January transfer window represents a rare opportunity to correct a flaw that has repeatedly cost the team momentum.

Celtic’s lack of a reliable centre-forward has been a recurring theme throughout the campaign. Alarmingly, no player in the squad has reached double figures for goals in all competitions, a statistic that feels particularly damaging for a club that expects to dominate domestically. Even within the Scottish Premiership alone, no striker has managed to score more than six goals, underlining just how blunt Celtic have been in the final third.

Daizen Maeda currently stands as the most productive striker in the league for Celtic, despite often being deployed in wide areas rather than as a traditional number nine. According to WhoScored data, Maeda has scored six league goals, which is more than any other Celtic striker. However, even his output is misleading when looked at closely. His expected goals figure sits at 7.93, meaning he too has failed to convert chances at the rate he should be.

A deeper look at Celtic’s underlying numbers paints an even more concerning picture. Expected goals data highlights a pattern of inefficiency across the forward line, with several attackers failing to make the most of good opportunities. At the centre of that issue is Johnny Kenny, whose struggles have been particularly stark.

Kenny has emerged as Celtic’s biggest xG underperformer in the Premiership this season. From an expected goals total of 8.27, the Irish forward has scored just four times. That gap between chances created and goals converted is the worst in the squad and raises serious questions about his suitability as Celtic’s leading striker.

Alongside Kenny, players such as Hyun-jun Yang, Kelechi Iheanacho and Shin Yamada have also failed to live up to their underlying numbers, but Kenny’s case stands out because of the role he has been given. He has started eight of his 13 league appearances and has been trusted as the central striker in four of Celtic’s last five Premiership matches. Despite that faith, he has not shown enough consistency or composure to suggest he can be relied upon week in, week out.

🗣️ “Good link-up play there!”

Johnny Kenny forces Dundee Utd goalkeeper Dave Richards into an early save 🧤 pic.twitter.com/AaLe5Knkab

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 17, 2025

For a club chasing success on multiple fronts, patience is wearing thin. O’Neill now has the chance to make a decisive call and move away from Kenny as the first-choice number nine by bringing in a striker with a proven track record of finishing chances efficiently.

With the remainder of the January window still to play out, Celtic’s priority must be to identify a clinical forward who can turn dominance into goals. Their build-up play and chance creation have often been adequate, but poor finishing has repeatedly undermined strong performances. A ruthless striker could make an immediate difference.

One player who fits that profile is GAIS striker Ibrahim Diabaté. Celtic were reportedly linked with the Ivorian forward in December, and with a valuation believed to be around £3 million, he represents a realistic and affordable target. Given O’Neill’s desire to make an early impact, Diabaté could be an ideal first signing under his authority.

Diabaté has built a reputation as a powerful, physically imposing centre-forward who thrives in duels and is difficult for defenders to handle. Analyst Jan Schultz has described him as “super physical,” a quality that Celtic’s current attacking options arguably lack. That physical presence could add a new dimension to the Hoops’ attack, particularly against deep-lying defences.

The numbers from Diabaté’s 2025 season with GAIS are particularly eye-catching. He scored 20 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions, a level of output that no current Celtic striker is anywhere near matching. In the Allsvenskan alone, he found the net 19 times, underlining his consistency across a full campaign.

What makes Diabaté’s statistics even more impressive is the way he has outperformed his expected goals. He scored those 19 league goals from an xG of just 13.80, meaning he exceeded expectation by more than five goals. That level of overperformance suggests a striker with genuine finishing quality, something Celtic’s forwards have lacked this season.

To put that into perspective, if Johnny Kenny had matched Diabaté’s efficiency, his current xG total would likely have produced eight or nine goals instead of four. That difference could have had a significant impact on Celtic’s results and league position.

Beyond goals, Diabaté also contributes in other areas. His shot accuracy ranks highly among strikers, and he has chipped in with assists, showing he is not solely reliant on scoring. His ability to win duels and aerial battles would also suit the physical demands of Scottish football, where strikers are often required to battle centre-backs and create space for teammates.

At 26 years old, Diabaté is entering what should be the prime years of his career. He combines physical strength with maturity and experience, making him a relatively low-risk option compared to younger, unproven prospects. For a modest fee of £3 million, Celtic would be acquiring a forward who has already demonstrated he can deliver consistent numbers over a full season.

For Martin O’Neill, the logic is clear. Celtic need goals, they need efficiency, and they need a striker who can be trusted to convert chances under pressure. Diabaté’s profile suggests he could provide exactly that, while also offering qualities that Kenny has struggled to show consistently.

With Wilfried Nancy having already brought in Julian Araujo on loan before his departure, O’Neill now has the opportunity to put his own stamp on the squad. Making Diabaté his first signing of the January window would be a statement of intent and a clear signal that underperformance in front of goal will no longer be tolerated.

If Celtic are to rescue their season and push forward with renewed confidence, addressing the number nine position is essential. By moving decisively for a £3 million striker with proven finishing ability, O’Neill could finally give himself the option to move on from Johnny Kenny and provide Celtic with the cutting edge they have been missing.