Martin O’Neill backed to stay at Celtic as major recruitment change is demanded

Stiliyan Petrov has insisted it would be the wrong time for Celtic to part company with Martin O’Neill and believes the manager needs greater support behind the scenes.

The former Hoops midfielder has backed O’Neill to remain in charge despite Celtic’s difficult recent run, but raised concerns over the club’s recruitment strategy.

Petrov pointed towards the late flurry of summer arrivals as evidence Celtic need to appoint a director of football or head of recruitment capable of helping O’Neill build the squad.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Petrov said: “This would be the wrong time to sack Martin or let him go, because it’s a difficult time of the season.

“Just add somebody who can help him. A director of football, a head of recruitment, somebody who can help build the right team.

“In this transfer window Celtic missed a trick to add the right players.

“If you look at the timing of signing players, six in the last 48 hours — this is wrong.

“You don’t build winning teams like that.”

He added: “It’s a difficult time for Celtic, but it’s not like they haven’t been there before.

“Is Martin O’Neill protected? He is, because he has done so much for the club. Even last season Martin worked wonders.”