Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has stressed the importance of securing a Champions League place before considering any significant transfer interest in key players Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston.
Engels has already been the subject of a rejected bid from West Ham, while Everton is reportedly preparing a substantial offer for Johnston. However, with Celtic facing Austrian champions LASK in the Champions League play-off round, O'Neill believes the club's progression to the group stage must take precedence.
"Ideally that would be brilliant, that would be really good," O'Neill stated regarding the prospect of finalizing transfers after qualification. "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 began their domestic title defence with a 1-0 victory over Dundee, thanks to a second-half header from Benjamin Nygren. Despite securing the win, O'Neill expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, noting a degree of rustiness in their opening match.
"I didn’t think we played particularly well for most of the game, but we did enough to win," he commented. "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."
The match also saw debuts for new signings Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran. O'Neill reiterated the need for further player incomings to strengthen the squad.
"Well, I’m hoping that we’ll get some players in," O'Neill 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 emphasized the importance of integrating any new signings quickly, ideally in time to be considered for the home leg against LASK, which is scheduled for two weeks' time.
"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 (LASK) 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."
Kasper Hogh, who played the full match, expressed his happiness at debuting and securing a win, despite not finding the net himself. He mentioned needing to adapt to the playing surface, which differs from his former club's artificial pitch.
"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."
O'Neill acknowledged Hogh's comment but dismissed it as an excuse, noting that the player was aware of Celtic's grass pitch. "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 noted that his team delivered a performance with "endeavour and spirit."