Reports suggest Martin O’Neill is pressing Celtic to recruit a midfielder and a wide player before facing LASK in the Champions League play-off

Martin O’Neill is eager for Celtic to strengthen in midfield and on the wing before their crucial Champions League play-off against LASK, with those two positions now the club’s top transfer priorities.

According to SunSport, Celtic are focusing their efforts on bringing in at least one midfielder and one winger before the first leg at Celtic Park on 19 August. The return fixture in Austria follows on 25 August, leaving the Hoops with less than two weeks to complete deals and integrate any new arrivals into the squad.

Summer signings Kasper Høgh and Camilo Duran both made their competitive debuts in Monday’s 1-0 Premiership victory over Dundee, boosting O’Neill’s attacking options. However, the manager is still keen to add further quality and depth ahead of the club’s biggest fixtures of the season so far.

One of Celtic’s leading midfield targets remains Paderborn’s Mika Baur, although the German side have rejected an offer believed to be worth around £4 million and are holding firm over their valuation.

Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis is also on Celtic’s radar. CeltsAreHere previously revealed that the Scottish champions had opened discussions with the player’s representatives, although no formal bid had been submitted.

The need for midfield reinforcements could become even more pressing if Arne Engels departs before the transfer deadline. West Ham are still interested in the Belgian midfielder and are expected to return with an improved offer after previous bids were rejected.

Out wide, Celtic continue to monitor Farès Ghedjemis and Haissem Hassan. Ghedjemis is understood to be interested in a move to Glasgow, but Frosinone have significantly increased their asking price since accepting a €6 million bid in January.

Hassan also remains under consideration after reportedly turning down interest from Saudi Arabia in favour of staying in European football, although Real Oviedo are demanding a substantial transfer fee.

While Celtic are also searching for a backup left-back and another goalkeeper, midfield and the wide areas remain the club’s most immediate priorities.

With the countdown to the LASK clash well underway, the coming fortnight could prove decisive in determining whether O’Neill gets the reinforcements he wants before Celtic’s Champions League campaign reaches a pivotal stage.