O'Neill on signing search, Hatate & 'very fine' LASK

Martin O'Neill has been speaking to the media before Celtic host LASK in the Champions League play-off first leg on Wednesday. Here are the main lines from the Celtic manager: O'Neill says it's unlikely Celtic will sign any players - including a replacement for Arne Engels following his West Ham move - before Tuesday's deadline (23:00 BST). The Celtic boss wanted Engels to stay for the play-off but the midfielder "didn't want to play in the matches in case he got injured", which O'Neill says is understandable. On trying to find a replacement for Engels, he adds: "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 playing in the Champions league is more important than the money it generates for the club. But he says the cash would enable Celtic to attract more couple before the league stage. O'Neill says new midfield arrival Mika Baur will probably start in midfield. 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 problem if Hatate wanted stay and battle 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 the tie will be "very, very difficult" for Celtic. O'Neill 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 says a first-leg lead to take to Austria would be "lovely" but it's not "the end of the world" if Celtic don't manage it. 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." The 74-year-old is excited for his first Champions League tie in more than two decades, saying: "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: "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."