Celtic are now believed to be among the favourites to sign a Man City player who Pep Guardiola called ‘world-class’ and ‘exceptional’, right after he was also offered to West Ham.
The Hoops’ chaotic campaign has taken another dramatic turn following the appointment of Martin O’Neill as manager until the end of the season.
The 73-year-old returns to Parkhead for his second interim spell this term after Wilfried Nancy was dismissed following just 33 days and eight matches in charge of the struggling Scottish champions.
O’Neill faces the substantial task of rescuing Celtic’s title defense after the Hoops slumped to a devastating 3-1 Old Firm defeat against Rangers last weekend, leaving them third in the Scottish Premiership table and six points behind leaders Hearts with 18 games remaining.
The loss represented Nancy’s sixth defeat in eight games across all competitions, prompting the board to act swiftly by reinstalling the club legend who previously guided them to seven trophies during his successful first spell between 2000 and 2005.The returning manager wasted little time acknowledging that recruitment is an absolute priority during the January window.
O’Neill admitted immediately following his reappointment on Monday evening that reinforcing the squad is essential if Celtic are to salvage their campaign.”We definitely need to supplement the squad, absolutely no question about that,” O’Neill told reporters.
“Shaun has been working in the background in certain things, I think he would get to know some players.
“It’s up to me as quickly as possible, because eventually, I would like to be sitting here in front of you and saying ‘listen, all these players are my choice’, that’s what I really like to do.
“The goalkeeping situation has become increasingly urgent following Kasper Schmeichel’s dramatic decline in form, with the 37-year-old Danish veteran attracting fierce criticism for performances that have fallen considerably short of his excellent standards.’
While Celtic are in talks for outfield players as well, O’Neill quite simply needs some inspiration between the sticks, with the Glaswegians now turning their attention towards Manchester in search of an upgrade.Celtic ‘frontrunners’ to sign Man City keeper Stefan Ortega
According to very reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee, via his Patreon, Celtic are now one of the frontrunners to sign Man City shot-stopper Stefan Ortega.
The 33-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season, making him a potentially cheap option if Celtic somehow navigate his £90,000-per-week wages.
West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Ortega too, but Celtic are firmly in the race and right at the front of the queue for his signature.”It was thought we [West Ham] enquired about James Trafford from Manchester City, but they are reluctant to release the player but did offer in return the possibility of Stefan Ortega,” Ex said.
“His contract is up at the end of the season, which could mean he and the club favour a permanent move elsewhere. Celtic are said to be one of the frontrunners.”The Premier League ace has done his job when required under Pep Guardiola, albeit barely featuring thanks to the presence of ex-number one Ederson, James Trafford and summer signing Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Ortega is yet to feature at all for City last season, but did make 13 appearances last term, with Guardiola also lavishing praise on the German after an arguable title-winning display against Tottenham at the end of 2023/2024.”Ortega is a world-class goalkeeper,” Guardiola said in May that year.
“An exceptional, exceptional goalkeeper. Ederson did not have concussion, he had a problem with his eye. He could not see properly so the doctor said I should change.”
Adept at playing out from the back with his feet, Ortega’s top-level experience is also exactly what Celtic are crying out for right now.