O'Neill hopeful of signing Juninho
GLASGOW, Scotland -- Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is hopeful the Scottish champions will sign Middlesbrough's Brazilian midfielder Juninho before the end of August.
The Irishman spoke with Juninho, who helped Brazil win the World Cup in 2002, after the player passed a medical at Celtic Park on Wednesday but told reporters on Friday he is waiting to hear from the midfielder.
O'Neill wants Juninho for the start of Celtic's Champions League campaign next month and before the August 31 signing deadline for that competition.
"Middlesbrough gave us permission to speak to him and things went pretty well," said O'Neill. "It's not done and dusted yet. I'm hopeful but until everything is signed then you never know."
The well-travelled Juninho, who began his career at Sao Paulo, has had three spells at Middlesbrough while also appearing for Spanish side Atletico Madrid. His total career transfer fees amount to over £22 million ($40.17 million).
O'Neill believes the Glasgow club are an attractive prospect for Juninho.
"We house 60,000 fans here every fortnight and are playing in Europe so that would be a big attraction to someone of that calibre," O'Neill said.
"I think he was pretty pleased with what he saw but at this minute there are a few things to discuss at Middlesbrough's end."
Celtic signed Senegal striker Henri Camara on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers last month but their squad lacks sufficient quality with Henrik Larsson, Johan Mjallby, Liam Miller and Jamie Smith gone and yet to be replaced.
O'Neill hopes Juninho will not be his last signing of the close season but conceded he is not finding it easy to attract big name players to the unfashionable Scottish Premier League.
"Sometimes it takes longer to get a bit of quality in and I'm looking at other options but it is difficult to say how far they have progressed," added O'Neill, who confirmed defender Bobo Balde has recovered from a mild form of malaria.
Celtic visit Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday with a two-point lead over city rivals Rangers a week before their first Glasgow derby of the season.
