Celtic Handed January Hope Over This Frustrated Midfielder: Should O’Neill Bid Again?

Celtic Handed January Hope Over This Frustrated Midfielder: Should O’Neill Bid Again? Celtic’s summer pursuit of a new midfielder ended without the signing Martin O’Neill wanted. Arne Engels’ £22 million move to West Ham left the Hoops short of his running power, while their Champions League qualifying exit limited the room to respond. Now, a former target’s growing frustration at Torino has given Celtic another reason to review their midfield options before January. Gvidas Gineitis has admitted that his recent months at Torino have been difficult, telling Italian media after Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Como: “These haven’t been the best months of my life, but I’ve always trained.” The 22-year-old Lithuanian international wants more playing time, while accepting that manager Ignazio Abate makes the final selection decisions. His limited involvement helps explain that frustration. He has six Serie A appearances and 333 minutes in the league so far this season, alongside two Coppa Italia outings totalling 180 minutes. He has gone five league matches without a start since Torino’s defeat by Roma in September. That lack of regular football could reopen a door Celtic tried to push through during the summer. CeltsAreHere reported that the Scottish champions offered around £5.1 million plus add-ons, but Torino wanted closer to £6.8 million and a 10 per cent sell-on clause. No agreement followed, and there is no confirmation that negotiations have reopened. Should Celtic return with a permanent offer in January? FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 5, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) Celtic should revisit Gineitis’ situation, but only if Torino lower their demands. His physique, left foot and ability to cover ground would give O’Neill another midfield option, particularly after Engels’ departure exposed the need for more energy between the boxes. At 22, he could offer resale value as well as immediate competition. However, limited minutes do not guarantee Torino will sell cheaply. Gineitis remains under contract until 2029, with the club holding an option for another year, so Torino retain leverage. Celtic must decide whether he suits O’Neill’s approach rather than buying simply because a summer target has lost his place. His ability to carry the ball and support defensive transitions would matter most if he could improve the balance between Callum McGregor’s control and the midfield’s need for more mobility. A permanent deal makes sense if the fee is right and the coaching staff still see him as a clear upgrade; another expensive gamble would leave the same midfield questions unanswered.