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, even as interest mounts around midfielder Arne Engels and full‑back Alistair Johnston. According to a report from Sky Sports News on Friday, West Ham United have entered negotiations to acquire the Belgian midfielder, while Celtic have set a price tag of £25 million for the player. O'Neill confirmed that a bid had indeed been tabled, but he dismissed it as falling far short of the club's valuation, stating that the offer "didn't remotely meet our valuation".
At the same time, Johnston's profile has risen dramatically following his standout performances for Canada at the World Cup. O'Neill revealed that he has been in contact with Everton manager David Moyes about a possible transfer for the right‑back.
"Everton have been in contact," O'Neill 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 transfer activity this summer has already been heavily weighted toward departures. Fourteen players have left the club so far, including Daizen Maeda, who moved to Ipswich Town, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who transferred to Bursaspor.
Several loan agreements have also come to an end, further thinning the squad. To offset these losses, the club has added two forwards: Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, the latter arriving for a record fee in the club's history. Despite these signings, O'Neill is keen to stem the tide of exits as Celtic prepare to defend their Scottish Premiership crown.
He admitted that he had hoped the interest would subside as the days passed, but acknowledged that such an outcome was unrealistic. "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 said.
He added that the club had intended to build a stronger squad and retain as many players as possible, but the reality of modern football often forces a compromise. "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. 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." The uncertainty surrounding Engels and Johnston also extends to the team selection for Celtic's opening Premiership fixture against Dundee on Monday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. O'Neill was not certain whether either player would be available for that match, reflecting the fluid nature of transfer negotiations.
From a tactical perspective, Celtic primarily employed a 4‑3‑3 or 4‑4‑2 formation last season, which limited the number of central striker spots to one. With the arrivals of Hogh and Duran, O'Neill expressed confidence that he could find a system that accommodates both forwards. "I would think that given the time that the two players should be able to play together without a problem," he explained.
He admitted that this might require adjustments to the team's shape, but emphasized the quality of both newcomers. "I don't know what that means, changing systems, changing all that type of stuff. But, they're good players.
He [Duran] 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." Beyond Celtic, the Scottish football landscape is also buzzing with transfer rumors. 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 secure promotion to Serie A with 15 goals and three assists last season, was close to a move to Celtic in January but now appears to be a target for Rangers as well. Ghedjemis has attracted interest from clubs across Italy, England and the United States.
Rangers, meanwhile, are seeking to replenish their wide options after the departure of Oliver Antman. Coventry City winger Jahnoah Markelo has been identified as a potential addition, while Brighton’s Amario Cozier‑Duberry and former loanee Vaclav Cerny have also been linked with moves to Ibrox.
Cerny's wage demands at Turkish side Besiktas could complicate any potential transfer. Overall, the summer window promises to be a busy period for Scottish clubs, with managers balancing the need to strengthen their squads against the risk of losing key talent.
O'Neill's primary goal remains clear: retain as many of his core players as possible while integrating new signings in a way that sustains Celtic's challenge for domestic honours. The coming weeks will reveal how successful he is at navigating this delicate balancing act.