Martin O'Neill speaks to the media ahead of Celtic's Champions League play-off

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the press before his side host LASK in the Champions League play-off first leg 

Keep reading for some of the best points

Author | Sean M

O'Neill says Celtic are still trying to find a replacement for Arne Engels, but time is running short. "We're still in the process of trying to do that. We haven't been able to get someone in, in time, to do that. But there are a number of players that we're looking at and hopefully we will by the end of the transfer window."

For O'Neill, the prestige of Champions League football outweighs the financial rewards it brings Celtic, although he acknowledges that the additional revenue could help the club attract a couple more players before the league stage.

Celtic in Champions League play-off action last year

The Celtic boss says new midfield signing Mika Baur will probably start in the middle of the park.

He confirms there has been interest in Reo Hatate, adding: "But I don't think there's been anything definitive. That may well happen in the next week."

O'Neill would have no issue with Hatate staying at Celtic and fighting to rediscover the form that made him "one of best midfielders in Scotland" two seasons ago.

Austrian champions LASK are a "very fine side" and O'Neill expects the tie to be "very, very difficult" for Celtic. He adds: "We've watched them now on numerous occasions. We've had people watching them live. They are very fast up front as well, lots of good players on the side. And they're very, very strong. Physically strong as well."

O'Neill also says taking a first-leg lead to Austria would be "lovely", but it would not be "the end of the world" if Celtic fail to secure one.

Celtic are "ready for the challenge" and O'Neill says: "It's up to the players now as much as anything else. I think the quality that we brought in will bear fruit during the course of the season."

Best bits of the press conference on Celtic's YouTube channel

The 74-year-old is relishing his first Champions League tie in more than two decades.

He said: "I didn't think last September or October I'd be sitting here thinking about a Champions League game. If I was, I'd certainly be watching it on TV." He adds: "There are challenges in this Champions League. You could get nothing else but excited about it, which is fantastic, especially at my age."

On drawing Rangers away in the League Cup quarter-finals, O'Neill says: "I'm looking forward to it when it comes to it. Naturally, the concentration is totally in these two games. But it is what it is. We're drawn away from home again."