Celtic boss Martin O'Neill admitted that he feels a genuine sense of disappointment at the prospect of losing Belgian midfielder Arne Engels to West Ham United, yet he recognises that the move is an attractive opportunity for the player and one he cannot easily refuse. The manager explained that Celtic had previously turned down a £25 million approach from Nottingham Forest during the January window, but Engels was eager to test himself in English football, making the West Ham proposition especially tempting.
Addressing the media before the club's Scottish League Cup second‑round clash with Dundee United, O'Neill said, "West Ham wanted him to be available for the first day of the season, so naturally I’m disappointed that he’s leaving. He’s performed very well for us, and it’s hard to persuade him not to go.
If the offer hadn’t materialised, I think he would have been content here. Even though Forest came in with a late bid in January, he never complained about it. This is an opportunity for him, and it would be very difficult for him to turn it down." The timing of Engels' exit is particularly inconvenient for Celtic, as it comes just before the first leg of their Champions League play‑off against Austrian side LASK, scheduled for next Wednesday.
O'Neill, however, understood Engels' desire to finalise the transfer, especially after a recent injury to fellow midfielder Alistair Johnston raised concerns about squad depth. "Ideally I would have loved him to stay and perhaps leave after the two games," the 74‑year‑old manager said, noting that he had just returned to full duties after undergoing a medical procedure the previous week. O'Neill added that the situation surrounding Johnston’s injury may have influenced Engels' decision.
"You have a worry when a player gets hurt after an offer is on the table – you think the deal might fall through. Arne was probably thinking the same thing from a playing perspective, and I can understand that," he explained.
Johnston, who had been playing as a right‑back for Canada, was forced off at half‑time during Celtic’s 5‑1 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday. "He’ll be out for a few weeks," O'Neill confirmed.
"By the time he’s fit, the transfer window will be closed. He’s been very stoic about it. It’s a shame for him, but it’s not a long‑term problem – he’ll recover and be back in action." In response to the looming departures, Celtic have already moved to bolster the squad. This week the club secured Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan and German Under‑21 midfielder Mika Baur, and O'Neill hinted that more signings could be on the horizon.
One potential addition mentioned was Chelsea’s young left‑back Landon Emmenalo, who could serve as a loan backup for Kieran Tierney. Emmenalo was given a tour of Celtic’s Lennoxtown training complex earlier in the week. "He’s a very promising youngster," O'Neill said.
"We definitely need cover in that position. Kieran did a fantastic job last season after a long injury spell at Arsenal, and he’s back in form.
This young man has talent, although he’s currently dealing with a minor injury. We hope it clears up soon, and if it does – which I expect it will – I’d love to bring him in." Overall, O'Neill’s comments reflect a mixture of disappointment, pragmatism, and forward‑looking optimism.
While losing a key player like Engels is a blow, the manager is already planning for the future, ensuring that the squad remains competitive on multiple fronts – domestically in the Scottish Premiership and Cup competitions, and in Europe with the upcoming Champions League play‑off. The club’s recent recruitment activity, combined with the potential loan of a promising left‑back, suggests that Celtic are intent on maintaining depth and quality despite the challenges posed by injuries and transfer market movements. Fans can continue to follow Celtic’s campaign through various broadcast options, including live streaming of the Scottish Premiership on NOW and coverage on Sky Sports.
The club also encourages supporters to engage with promotional activities such as the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win a £1 million prize.