McNamara warns Celtic will have to tackle a ‘lot of issues’ as O’Neill signals likely exit

Jackie McNamara admitted Premiership champions Celtic have “a lot of issues that they’ll need to sort quickly” in order to be ready for next season.

The Hoops could yet end up securing a double in what has been a turbulent campaign if Martin O’Neill can steer them past Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline in Saturday’s Scottish Cup final. But 74-year-old O’Neill has indicated that he does not expect to remain in charge next term.

In addition to the likely arrival of a new manager, Celtic must re-establish their recruitment strategy for their summer rebuild after head of football operations Paul Tisdale lost his job in January following the ill-fated appointment of Wilfried Nancy.

“It’s not an easy job to pick someone that’s going to take the club forward to what the club want,” said former Celtic player McNamara, speaking at the launch of On The Ball Academy’s free and subsidised summer football programme.

“When Martin came in, he was a safe pair of hands. He knows what it takes to manage the club and to be successful as well.

“The Champions League won’t be long coming round, so there’s a lot of things, a lot of issues there that they’ll need to sort quickly.”

After losing a Champions League play-off to Kairat Almaty last summer, McNamara believes it is essential Celtic prioritise signing a dependable centre-forward in time for their next crack at the play-off for Europe’s premier competition in August.

“It’s important they spend wisely for what they need, and that comes down to recruitment,” said the 52-year-old.

“I think over the years it’s been a lot easier to attract players if you’re playing Champions League but they need to get in there first.

“Last year it was kind of a gamble to get in and then get the players in place, and not getting there put them off to a really bad start, so it is important they get the players in early that they need.”

“There’s a few positions that are key that they need to strengthen.

“Kasper Schmeichel will be going, so the goalkeeping situation, the centre-backs and I think they need a proper nine.

“Giorgos Giakoumakis was a good player at the time but I don’t think they’ve really replaced that type.”

Martin O’Neill.