REIN IN YOUR BIDS BREN

O'Neill tempers spending hopes of boss

- By Blair Esson

MARTIN O'NEILL insists Celtic chief Dermot Desmond will back Brendan Rodgers in the transfer market, but won't be pressured into paying over the odds to fund a second successive summer spending extravaganza.

O'Neill spoke out in Desmond's defence, with the club's supporters currently questioning whether or not the Irish tycoon shares Rodgers' ambition to drive up standards heading into the new campaign.

But, while the former boss is adamant that Desmond, left, is equally determined to improve the team, he expressed doubts over the owner's willingness to repeat the £26million recruitment drive which brought Adam Idah, Arne Engels and Auston Trusty to Glasgow's east end 12 months ago.