Martin O'Neill has broken his silence on Camilo Duran as Celtic close in on their first summer signing.
The Colombian forward is set to complete a £5.5 million move to Parkhead from Azerbaijani side Qarabag and is en route to Glasgow.
Duran's 15 goals last season included five in the Champions League, against Newcastle, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benfica and Ajax.
He will undergo a medical tomorrow and should be signed in time to take part in Celtic's Champions League play-off.
O'Neill was asked about the 24-year-old ahead of this evening's friendly against Shelbourne.
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"We need some character in the side," he told Premier Sports.
"You sign a lot of players and you need players that can actually help us. I think we do need a bit of help, of course.
"It was a really great run last season but you wouldn't want to be relying on all of that just the same time.
"You're trying to improve the team, that's the most important thing rather than just standing still.
"We've got some things on the go at this minute.
"We have the young lad, Duran, who will hopefully be doing a medical tomorrow and joining us in Portugal.
"But we are absolutely trying to improve the squad, and that will be necessary."
