Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has made it clear that he does not want to see any further members of his squad depart during the upcoming summer transfer window, especially as interest intensifies around midfielder Arne Engels and full‑back Alistair Johnston. According to Sky Sports News, West Ham United have entered negotiations to acquire the Belgian midfielder, but Celtic have set a price tag of around £25 million. O'Neill confirmed that a bid has indeed been tabled for Engels, yet he stressed that the offer fell "not even close" to the club's valuation, leaving the Celtic hierarchy unwilling to accept it. At the same time, Johnston's profile has risen dramatically following a standout performance for Canada at the World Cup.
O'Neill disclosed that he has been in contact with Everton manager David Moyes regarding a possible transfer for the right‑back. "Everton have been in touch," O'Neill said.
"I'm not sure whether they've actually put in a formal bid. David called me last weekend to say there would be contact, but I have no idea how far the discussions have progressed, or even if they have moved beyond the initial chat." Celtic's transfer activity this window has been heavily weighted toward departures.
Fourteen players have already left the club, including Daizen Maeda, who moved to Ipswich Town, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who transferred to Bursaspor, as well as the conclusion of several high‑profile loan agreements. In contrast, the club has added two attackers to its roster: Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, the latter arriving for a club‑record fee.
The influx of new signings has helped to offset some of the loss, but O'Neill remains anxious about maintaining squad stability as the team prepares to defend its Scottish Premiership crown. "I was hoping each day that there wouldn't be any serious interest in our players," O'Neill admitted. "That was unrealistic, of course. Seeing that fourteen players have already left makes me nervous.
We wanted to build this squad and bring in fresh talent, and ideally those players would have stayed. Alistair's excellent showing for Canada has only increased his appeal." He went on to explain the delicate balancing act required in modern football: "You have to try and do your best to bring new players in while also holding on to the ones you have. That's utopia.
In reality, it's not that simple." O'Neill also expressed uncertainty about whether Engels or Johnston would be available for Celtic's opening Premiership match against Dundee, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. He urged fans to use a Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience.
Tactically, Celtic operated primarily in a 4‑3‑3 or 4‑4‑2 formation last season, which left only a single slot for a central striker. With the summer signings of both Hogh and Duran, O'Neill is confident that he can find a system that accommodates both forwards. "Given the time they've had together, I think they should be able to play alongside each other without issue," he said.
"I don't know exactly what that means in terms of changing systems, but they're both good players. Duran has also featured out wide, which is encouraging.
I can see him playing as a striker or in a supporting role." Beyond Celtic, other Scottish clubs are also active in the market. Sky Sports News reported that both Celtic and Rangers are monitoring Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis. The 23‑year‑old Algerian international, who helped his Italian side secure promotion to Serie A with 15 goals and three assists last season, was close to signing for Celtic in January but now finds himself in a tug‑of‑war with Rangers. Ghedjemis has also attracted interest from clubs in Italy, England, and the United States.
Rangers, meanwhile, are looking to replenish their wing options after the departure of Oliver Antman. Coventry City winger Jahnoah Markelo has been identified as a potential target, and Brighton’s Amario Cozier‑Duberry and former Rangers loanee Vaclav Cerny have also been linked with moves to Ibrox. However, Cerny's wage demands at Besiktas could pose a stumbling block.
Overall, the summer transfer window presents a challenging landscape for O'Neill and Celtic. While the club has secured two promising forwards and remains hopeful of retaining key talent, the lure of larger leagues and the financial realities of modern football mean that keeping hold of players like Engels and Johnston will require both strategic negotiation and perhaps a bit of luck. As the new season looms, Celtic fans will be watching closely to see how the manager navigates these pressures while aiming to defend the Scottish Premiership title.