O'Neill bracing for Celtic departures amid transfer speculation

The Scottish champions could be set to lose a significant portion of their attacking talent, with manager Martin O'Neill seemingly bracing for their exit. While he hasn't officially confirmed any departures, sources suggest O'Neill is resigned to the fact that key figures may be moving on.

Despite this apparent acceptance, there remains a glimmer of hope within the club that the players in question might yet be persuaded to stay. O'Neill is said to be keen on retaining their services, particularly with a midseason friendly scheduled against Shelbourne in Dublin.

The upcoming friendly, set to take place at Tolka Park, offers a brief respite from the transfer sagas that are currently dominating headlines around Celtic Park. The club's focus will temporarily shift to on-field matters before the transfer window potentially sees significant changes to the squad.