Chris Sutton has urged Celtic’s board to ensure Martin O’Neill receives the support he needs in the transfer market, warning against any complacency as the club’s summer recruitment remains at a standstill.
There has been little movement at Celtic despite chairman Brian Wilson previously indicating that the Hoops were preparing for a busy window.
Even O’Neill’s coaching team was only finalised when Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham officially signed new deals on the opening day of pre-season.
Reports this week have suggested the lack of transfer activity could test O’Neill’s patience, but Sutton believes the veteran manager is highly unlikely to walk away.
Nevertheless, he feels the club must avoid repeating the mistakes made during Brendan Rodgers’ final transfer window in charge.
Writing in the Daily Record, Sutton said: “There’s been some suggestion this week that Martin O’Neill might [be frustrated] – and even some talk he might feel the job is not worth the hassle.
“I’m not sure about that. Put it this way – I would be absolutely stunned if Martin walked away.
“While they remain, I get the sense of calm. But that can change very quickly and we know how damaging it can be if Celtic stands in their way of big moves.
“It’s going to be a tricky time for O’Neill to negotiate and he is going to need to be backed properly.
“Like I said, I can’t see a scenario like Brendan Rodgers last summer, where you could sense the rise in exasperation levels growing by the week.
“The grumbles over signings got louder and louder and the writing was on the wall when he said he felt numb after the transfer window and then came out with his Honda Civic line soon after.
“Publicly he tried to stay positive but you only had to look at his team sheets to see he wasn’t too impressed with the incomings.
“That can’t happen again. Celtic’s board won’t need to worry about Martin throwing them under the bus but that doesn’t mean they should take him for granted.”
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