O'Neill Downplays Celtic Trials as SPFL Eyes Away Fans Return
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says he was unaware of trialists Sonny Inzalaco and Tiemoue Bakayoko, while the SPFL hopes to bring back away fans for Old Firm derbies.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has stated he was not aware that Perth RedStar goalkeeper Sonny Inzalaco, a 19-year-old Australia youth international, had been training with the club at Lennoxtown. The youngster has also reportedly attracted interest from Wrexham and had a trial with Blackburn Rovers in the summer.
O'Neill also insisted he did not know former France midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, 32, had been training with Celtic. Bakayoko has been without a club since leaving PAOK in July 2025. The manager added that Celtic will not make any signings before January.
In other news, the agent of Algeria winger Fares Ghedjemis revealed that both Celtic and Rangers made moves for the 24-year-old during the summer transfer window before he signed a contract extension with Frosinone.
O'Neill is set for a crucial three-game spell against Motherwell, Heart of Midlothian, and Hibernian, with opposition managers Alfred Johansson, Wouter Vrancken, and Marink Reedijk all significantly younger than the 74-year-old. One outlet suggested O'Neill cannot afford to threaten resignation again and survive.
Meanwhile, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said the league hopes to reintroduce away fans to Celtic-Rangers matches as soon as possible. Defender Kieran Tierney declared himself fit for Celtic after withdrawing from Scotland duty, and former player Lex Baillie recounted how some of his father's Rangers-supporting friends stopped speaking to him after he signed for Celtic.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
