Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has made it clear that he does not want to see any further star performers walk out the door during this summer's transfer period, even as clubs from England and abroad show keen interest in two of his most promising assets: Belgian midfielder Arne Engels and Canadian right‑back Alistair Johnston. According to a report from Sky Sports News on Friday, West Ham United have entered negotiations to acquire Engels. Celtic, however, have set a valuation of around £25 million for the 22‑year‑old, a figure they consider non‑negotiable. O'Neill confirmed that an offer had indeed been tabled, but he dismissed it as "not even close" to the club's asking price, suggesting that the English side would need to substantially increase their bid if they hope to secure the midfielder's signature.
At the same time, Johnston's profile has risen dramatically following a standout performance for Canada at the World Cup. The full‑back's blend of defensive solidity and attacking thrust has attracted attention from several Premier League outfits, most notably Everton.
O'Neill revealed that he has been in direct contact with Everton manager David Moyes regarding a possible transfer. "Everton have been in contact," he said.
"I'm not sure whether there has been a bid in for that one. In fairness, David called me last weekend to tell me that there would be contact.
But I don't know how far that has progressed, or if it has at all." Celtic's summer window has already been heavily weighted toward departures. Fourteen players have left the club this season, including Daizen Maeda, who moved to Ipswich Town, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who transferred to Bursaspor. Several high‑profile loan agreements have also come to an end, further thinning the squad.
In response, the club has brought in two forwards: Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, the latter arriving for a club‑record fee that underscores Celtic's intent to rebuild its attacking options. Despite the exodus, O'Neill is adamant that the team must retain as much continuity as possible ahead of its campaign to defend the Scottish Premiership title. "I was hoping as each day went past that there wouldn't be any serious interest. But that was never going to happen.
Now that you say 14 [players who have left] I'm worried myself," he admitted. "We did want to build this squad and bring players in anyway. Hopefully they would have stayed at the football club. Alistair did excellent work with Canada and that enhanced his chances." The manager acknowledged the delicate balancing act required to both recruit new talent and keep existing players happy.
"I think you have to try and do your best to balance everything and try and get new players in and try and hold the players that you have at the same time. That's utopia. Unfortunately, that's not real life," O'Neill said, highlighting the harsh realities of modern football economics. There remains uncertainty over whether Engels or Johnston will be available for Celtic's opening Scottish Premiership fixture against Dundee on Monday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
O'Neill's comments suggested that the ongoing negotiations could affect squad selection for that crucial early‑season clash. Tactically, Celtic have traditionally operated in a 4‑3‑3 or 4‑4‑2 formation, which typically accommodates only a single central striker.
The summer signings of both Hogh and Duran give O'Neill the flexibility to experiment with different systems. He expressed confidence that the two forwards could coexist without issue. "I would think that given the time that the two players should be able to play together without a problem," he explained. "I don't know what that means, changing systems, changing all that type of stuff.
But, they're good players." O'Neill also noted Duran's versatility, pointing out that the young attacker has already featured on the wing. "He has played out wide as well, so that's encouraging. I'm not so sure that's eventually where I'll play him.
I see him being able to play as a striker or just off the striker," he added, indicating that the manager may rotate roles depending on the opposition and match context. Beyond Celtic, the Scottish football landscape is also buzzing with transfer speculation. Sky Sports News reported that both Celtic and Rangers are eyeing Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis.
The 23‑year‑old Algerian international, who helped his Italian side earn promotion to Serie A with 15 goals and three assists last season, was close to signing for Celtic in January. Now, Rangers appear to be in the mix, with the winger also attracting interest from clubs in Italy, England, and the United States. Rangers, who lost Oliver Antman this summer, are actively seeking two new wide players to replace him.
Coventry City’s Jahnoah Markelo has emerged as a potential target, while Brighton’s Amario Cozier‑Duberry and former Ibrox loanee Vaclav Cerny have also been linked with moves to the Glasgow club. Cerny's wage demands at Besiktas could pose a hurdle, but the interest underscores the competitive nature of the transfer market in Scotland.
In summary, Martin O'Neill is navigating a challenging summer window, striving to keep his core group intact while integrating fresh talent to sustain Celtic's ambition of retaining the league crown. The outcomes of the negotiations over Engels and Johnston will likely shape the squad's composition for the upcoming season, and fans will be watching closely to see whether the club can achieve the delicate equilibrium between selling and buying that O'Neill describes as "utopia" but acknowledges as a real‑world challenge.