MART DEALER

Returning boss urges Hoops to spend big this month

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

MARTIN O’NEILL has told the Celtic board they will need to seriously tool up in the transfer window for a three-way title fight.

The 73-year-old club legend checked in at Lennoxtown yesterday for a third spell in charge – and his second stint this season – to help drag the Hoops out of the wreckage of Wilfried Nancy’s catastrophic reign.

O’Neill revealed assistant Shaun Maloney had already been working on potential new signings behind the scenes, with the Hoops staff holding talks about transfer targets following yesterday morning's first training session.

And O'Neill has let Parkhead chiefs know in no uncertain terms what is needed to fend off the challenge from league leaders Hearts and arch-rivals Rangers.

He said: “That's an enormous task. It's going to be difficult, no bones about it.

“There are fewer games to play now than before, and Rangers must have gained a psychological advantage over us there.