Paul Lambert urges backing for Martin O'Neill's summer rebuild

Paul Lambert said Martin O'Neill must receive full backing for a busy summer transfer window at Celtic. Lambert, a former Celtic captain, told BBC Scotland that O'Neill will have the final say on incoming players. O'Neill returned for his second interim spell after Wilfried Nancy was sacked. He previously highlighted the need to augment the squad in the January window, yet none of the loan signings played after the split. Some arrived injured, others were apparently not trusted by O'Neill. Forward positions are likely to be the priority, especially if Daizen Maeda departs. Celtic have yet to replace Kyogo Furuhashi, and Jota's ability on the wing remains limited by a long‑term injury. The club’s attacking output fell from 112 league goals in the 2024‑25 title‑winning campaign under Brendan Rodgers to 73 goals last season. O'Neill can draw inspiration from his first summer at Celtic in 2000, when Chris Sutton, Joos Valgaeren and Alan Thompson were signed under his watch. Neil Lennon followed in January 2001, completing a similar recruitment drive. Lambert believes a comparable summer window would reshape the squad and ease simmering unrest among the fanbase.