Martin O’Neill warns Celtic Tomas Cvancara is not immediate answer to problems

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has cautioned that incoming striker Tomas Cvancara is not the immediate answer to all of their problems.

The Czech international is set to sign on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach in time to face Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday with Celtic securing an option to buy the 25-year-old.

The forward scored eight goals in two seasons in Germany before being loaned to Antalyaspor in the summer.

After one goal in 11 games, his spell was cut short amid financial issues with the Turkish side and he will arrive at a club who are still looking for serious replacements for Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah, both of whom left in 2025.

Speaking in Bologna ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash, O’Neill said of the deal: “I think it’s pretty close now. He’s undergoing his medical, and things are going well. He’ll be in for the weekend game in that case.”

O’Neill expanded on what the 6ft 2in striker might bring.

“He’s not a target man, believe it or not,” he said. “He’s not really the John Hartson type, or the type when Chris (Sutton) played alongside Henrik Larsson. He’s quick, he’s agile, and he wants to prove himself.

“If you think he’s the immediate answer to any sort of problem we have, I’m not sure I’d throw that sort of responsibility on him.”

O’Neill is, however, relieved the club finally appear to be approaching their first signing of the transfer window.

“We need some help and that was nice, I must admit,” he said. “And we’ve got some time still left to try and get a few more players in, if it’s at all possible. I’m hoping that it will be.”

Reports in Germany claim Celtic are interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager.

When asked if there could be other new signings before Sunday’s trip to Tynecastle, O’Neill said: “Obviously this game takes the immediate priority. We get back on Friday and we’re working away, but I couldn’t really tell you at this minute.”

The likes of Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda have been linked with moves away.

“If some of our players are attracting interest, that’s well done to them,” he said. “But I would like to think we could add to the squad, and I want to see what happens after that.”

Celtic sit 24th in the Europa League with seven points and have work to do to seal progress.

But a 3-1 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam under O’Neill gave them hope before Wilfried Nancy oversaw a 3-0 home defeat by Roma in his only European match in charge.

“While their Serie A form might not be fantastic in recent weeks, we ourselves are trying to recover from our own league form,” said the 73-year-old, who confirmed Anthony Ralston was in his squad.

“When I came to the football club, it’s been a bit of a struggle, but our focus was to try and get back on the domestic front as much as anything else.

“We’re in the competition, so we might as well see if we can get through.

“We’re well aware of the big fight on our hands against a side that wants to make the top eight. It’s away from home and a difficult task, but we intend to put our absolute heart and soul into it.”