Martin O'Neill has urged Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston to prioritise Celtic's Champions League qualification before considering moves to the Premier League. Engels has already been the subject of a failed bid from West Ham, while Celtic are braced for a big offer from Everton for Johnston.
The comments came after Celtic were paired with Austrian champions LASK in the Champions League play-off round. O'Neill said it was imperative that Celtic's progress to the group stage took priority over banking two large transfer fees.
'Ideally that would be brilliant, that would be really good,' O'Neill said. 'We wouldn't know if the other clubs would want to pursue that, if that was the case. I'm quite sure that anybody starting off in their own particular leagues would want their players in as soon as possible. But, ideally, that would be great.'
'I think that's one of the things we'll definitely be looking at. You'd have to take the players' thoughts into consideration and maybe the other clubs. But overall, for me, selfishly, that would be great.'
Celtic open season with win over Dundee
Celtic's title defence began with a win as Benjamin Nygren's second-half header was enough to see off Dundee. O'Neill said he was pleased with the three points but felt the performance fell short of expectations.
'I didn't think we played particularly well for most of the game, but we did enough to win,' he said. 'We had some really great chances and could maybe have put the game to bed a lot earlier. But, overall, I thought we were a bit rusty. It was a typical first game of the season and I'm hoping we'll get better for next week.'
Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran made their debuts in the match, though O'Neill said Celtic's lack of incoming transfer activity was evident in a lacklustre display.
O'Neill wants new signings before LASK tie
O'Neill said the underwhelming display did not change his view that new recruits are a priority. 'Well, I'm hoping that we'll get some players in,' he said. 'That's the aim. We have two and they're decent players for us but we're striving to get some more in. I have a good idea of what we need, I should do, I'm the manager. But that wouldn't have made any difference to the result or performance tonight. I still know what we need.'
O'Neill said it was vital new additions were in contention to face LASK when the home leg arrives in a fortnight. 'I would definitely like that,' he said. 'I think the most important thing is obviously getting the players in but also getting them to work with each other. They are Austrian champions. So, it will be difficult for us. If that had been our first game tonight, we'd have been in a bit of trouble. But we get the chance to have a look at them, as they will do with us.'
Hogh's frustrating debut
Hogh had a frustrating first appearance, missing a string of half chances without getting his first goal for the club. He told Sky Sports: 'It was so nice to get a debut and I'm happy with the win. We have amazing fans, and I know I have to go to shooting practice! I was just happy to be on the pitch and help the team to win. I have to adapt to the grass. It's a different thing for me,' referencing his move from former club Bodo/Glimt, who play on an artificial surface.
Asked about the remark, O'Neill said: 'I don't want to make any excuses. He knew that we played on grass. I'll speak to him tonight to see what he thought of the pitch. Because it's definitely not plastic. But he will do fine. He missed a few chances tonight.'
Dundee manager Steven Pressley said: 'I asked for a performance full of endeavour and spirit and I thought we got that in abundance.'
