Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expects the Scottish champions to spend significantly in the transfer window before Thursday's deadline despite missing out on Champions League football.
The Glasgow club suffered an astonishing play-off collapse against Austrian champions LASK on Tuesday despite holding a four-goal aggregate lead, missing out on the financial rewards of Europe's top competition.
Despite signing four players during the current transfer window, Celtic failed to complete deals for targets including Ermin Mahmic, Landon Emenalo, Niko Sigur and Gvidas Gineitis prior to the play-off tie.
O'Neill remains optimistic that prospective recruits will still be tempted by Europa League football and feels the club intend investing significantly ahead of the window closing on Thursday.
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"I honestly think that is the club's aim," said O'Neill. "We've brought in a couple of players that I think will do really fine for us. I'm hoping that there's an opportunity before the transfer deadline to make the squad stronger, to make it better. And to compete in European football, you need that."
Priority transfer positions
Asked which positions he is looking to prioritize, O'Neill stated that securing defensive cover and a central midfield replacement are key objectives before the window closes.
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"You would be definitely looking for a left-back for [cover for] Kieran [Tierney], because Kieran's not going to, with the greatest respect, play all the games at the end of the day," O'Neill said.
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"You'd need probably need a really strong replacement for Arne Engels, a box-to-box midfield player. We definitely just would need strengthening and that's what we're going to try and do."
Europa League draw and fixtures
Celtic must now turn their attention to the Europa League after being handed a challenging fixture list for the upcoming European campaign.
The Scottish champions have been handed home matches against Marseille, Celta Vigo, Besiktas and Ferencvaros. They will also travel to face Benfica, Union Saint-Gilloise, Omonia and surprise Portuguese Cup winners Torreense.
O'Neill helped Celtic progress to the knockout round of the competition last season by accruing 11 points, and he feels this year's task will be every bit as difficult.
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"I probably still haven't got over the game on Tuesday night, but it's something to look forward to, I must admit," O'Neill said. "There are some really good games there. I've got the list here in my pocket. I saw Benfica, I never read any further..."
Falkirk fixture and squad mindset
Celtic return to domestic action against Falkirk today, with captain Callum McGregor expected to be available after missing training yesterday through illness.
O'Neill has challenged his players to show their character and respond positively following their mid-week defeat.
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"I know it's an overused word, but we have to show a lot of character," O'Neill said. "There'll be moments in the game, misplaced passes, allowing Falkirk in, shots at goal, maybe even going a goal behind in the game where the crowd would want to get really restless. Absolutely, so we have to fight that. But that's always been the case. And do you know what? I wouldn't expect it to."
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"We can't live on laurels for the rest of our time. Last season was just fantastic, great moments, but it's gone," O'Neill added.
