Marcelo Saracchi is a strange character, who doesn’t have a clue what I’m saying… but Celtic should sign him on a permanent deal, says Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill has urged the Celtic board to make a move sign Marcelo Saracchi on a permanent deal.

On loan from Boca Juniors in Argentina for the duration of the season, the Uruguayan has caught the eye at left-back since moving from South America in the summer.

The 27-year-old, who netted his first Celtic goal in the dramatic win over Livingston on Wednesday, has shown himself to be a worthy replacement for Kieran Tierney whenever the Scot has been unavailable.

And while Celtic don’t have an option to buy Saracchi when the current arrangement ends, O’Neill feels the full-back has already shown enough for the club’s hierarchy to get round the negotiating table.

‘Yeah, I think they should try,’ he said.

‘I think Kieran Tierney is playing brilliantly for us at this moment – back to the Kieran Tierney that Arsenal ended up buying. He’s doing really well.

‘But this little lad scored the goal for us. He’s a strange character; I’ve called him “Manuel” from Fawlty Towers because he hasn’t a clue what I’m saying to him!

‘He just says “yes” to everything. But yeah, I think the club should be looking at something like that.’