Celts need more than fine tuning

Fans chant for signings and Lenny couldn't agree more: Board have to back Martin

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

IT was one of the more gentle chants coming from the away ends at Rugby Park.

But the message will have been received round and clear.

Martin O'Neill might have skilfully dodged transfer talk like he was back in his winger days.

But it took one of his most trusted lieutenants to spell it out for Celtic's chiefs just in case they haven't been listening.

The excaptain and manager was on media duty to see his old side make heavy work of Junior big guns Auchinleck Talbot.

"Sign a Player" was the chant from angry Hoops fans. Sign several was the advice from Lennon.

He said: "I think Martin needs players in, and I think he will push for that. I wouldn't say demand it but he has made it clear what he wants from the board. I'm sure the board will back him this week and get the players he wants in.

"They will be his players, not Paul Tisdale's and not Wilfried Nancy's, because that has had to change since Martin came in.

"Now he's going to bring in players, whether that's loans or signings, to get Celtic over the line for the season."

O'Neill needs serious help and it's make your mind up time for Celtics bean counters.

Anything from Bologna in the Europa League will be a bonus but a defeat at Tynecastle on Sunday could have drastic ramifications with Hearts already sitting on a-six point lead and Rangers on the march. O'Neill knows it too. He admitted it's a mammoth seven days on and off the pitch.