Celtic boss Martin O'Neill admitted that he feels a genuine sense of disappointment at the prospect of seeing Arne Engels depart for West Ham United, yet he also recognised that the move represents an opportunity that would be difficult for the Belgian international to refuse. The situation unfolded after Celtic turned down a £25 million offer from Nottingham Forest during the winter window, a bid that Engels himself seemed eager to bypass in favour of a chance to ply his trade in England.
During a pre‑match press conference ahead of Celtic's Scottish League Cup second‑round clash with Dundee United, O'Neill laid out his thoughts. He explained, "West Ham wanted him to be ready for the first game of the season, and naturally I'm disappointed that he's leaving the club – he's performed admirably for us. It's hard to persuade him otherwise. If the situation hadn't arisen, I think he would have been content to stay.
Even though Forest's late offer came in January, he never complained about it. So this is an opportunity for him and it would be very hard for him to turn it down." Engels' transfer is set to be finalised before Celtic's Champions League play‑off first leg against LASK, scheduled for next Wednesday.
O'Neill, however, displayed an understanding of the player's motivations, especially in light of recent injury concerns surrounding fellow full‑back Alistair Johnston and growing interest from Premier League side Everton. "Ideally I would have loved him to stay and perhaps complete the move after the two games," the 74‑year‑old manager said, noting that he has just returned to full duties after undergoing a medical procedure the previous week. He added, "It probably wasn't going to happen anyway.
You have to consider the risk – Alistair was playing for us when an offer was on the table, then he got injured, and that sort of thing can disappear. I imagine Arne was worried the same thing could happen to him. From a playing perspective, I can understand his decision." Johnston, the Canadian right‑back, was forced off at halftime in Celtic's 5‑1 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday, suffering a leg‑muscle strain. O'Neill confirmed that the injury would keep the defender sidelined for several weeks, meaning he would miss the transfer deadline.
"He's been very stoic about it," O'Neill remarked. "It's a shame for him, but it's not a long‑term issue. He'll recover and be back in the squad." In the meantime, Celtic have been active in the transfer market, securing Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan and German Under‑21 midfielder Mika Baur earlier this week.
O'Neill hinted that more signings could be on the horizon, including a possible loan deal for Chelsea left‑back Landon Emenalo to provide cover for Kieran Tierney. Tierney, the 18‑year‑old, recently toured Celtic's Lennoxtown training complex and has shown promise despite a history of injury setbacks at Arsenal. "I think he's a very promising young player," O'Neill said of Emenalo.
"We certainly need depth in that position. Kieran did an outstanding job last season after battling injuries at Arsenal, and he came back strongly, which was great. This youngster definitely has talent.
He's dealing with a minor injury at the moment, but we expect that to clear up soon. If it does, and I believe it will, I'd love to have him on board." O'Neill's comments reflect a pragmatic approach: while he would prefer to retain his key players for as long as possible, he also respects the professional ambitions of his squad members. The manager highlighted that the club's recruitment strategy remains focused on reinforcing the squad, ensuring that any gaps left by departures like Engels are promptly addressed.
Looking ahead, Celtic will face Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup, followed by the crucial Champions League play‑off against Austrian side LASK. The outcomes of these fixtures will be pivotal for the club's domestic and European ambitions, especially as they navigate the challenges posed by injuries and player turnover.
Fans can continue to follow Celtic's progress through various broadcasting options, including streaming the Scottish Premiership on NOW and watching live matches on Sky Sports. The club remains committed to competing at the highest level, both in Scotland and on the continental stage, while managing the inevitable changes that come with a dynamic transfer market.
In summary, Martin O'Neill's statements convey a blend of disappointment, understanding, and forward‑looking optimism. While losing Arne Engels is a setback, the manager acknowledges the player's desire to advance his career in England and emphasizes that Celtic will continue to strengthen the squad to remain competitive across all competitions.