Minutes from the meeting have been released online, in which it says O’Neill told the Celtic board his squad is not strong enough to compete and is in “major need of signings” despite winning a league and cup double last term.
The board trio were asked why the club were “so slow” to recruit players, in response to which the minutes state Nicholson “advised of the difficulty in dealing with agents, competing with the Premier League and even the Championship”.
He added the club are actively trying to sign out-of-contract players.
O’Neill reportedly spoke of a focus on younger players, whom he said have “better drive, ambition and are more suited to Celtic because they can be developed and aren’t swayed as much by wages”.
The minutes also assert that Nicholson said Celtic have recently finalised a long-term strategy – “to be the best club in Scotland, to be financially sound, and to compete in Europe”.
Having drawn 1-1 with Shelbourne and lost 4-1 against Sporting in their pre-season friendlies to date, Celtic face Middlesbrough and AC Milan before their first competitive outing against Dundee in the Premiership on 3 August.
