Comments from Martin O’Neill over the weekend are unlikely to ease the worries of Celtic fans regarding the inactivity in this summer’s transfer window.
The only addition to the Scottish champions’ squad thus far has been Colombian striker Camilo Duran, who was signed from Azerbaijan’s Qarabag. O’Neill, the seasoned Northern Irish manager, is keen to reshape his team after narrowly retaining the league title against Heart of Midlothian last season.
O’Neill was quoted expressing his acceptance of the impending departures of Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda. He also plans to discuss the future of captain Callum McGregor, who recently switched agencies.
In light of this, BBC Scotland examines the significance of these players and the implications of their potential exits for both O’Neill and the club.
Remarkable Contributions and Achievements
Engels joined Celtic in the summer of 2024 from Bundesliga side Augsburg, effectively filling the void left by Matt O’Riley, who transferred to Brighton after netting 19 goals in 49 games last season.
Although Engels has yet to match O’Riley’s impressive statistics, he showed promise with ten goals in the 2024-25 season and seven in the previous term, indicating his potential to become a key goal-scoring midfielder. Notably, his recent contributions included critical goals in the Scottish Premiership title decider against Heart of Midlothian and in the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic. Furthermore, with eight assists last season, he played a crucial role in Celtic’s recent successes.
Meanwhile, Daizen Maeda had a standout season in 2024-25, tallying 33 goals in 51 appearances, achieving double figures in each of his other full seasons and contributing 38 assists during his time at Celtic, helping the team secure ten trophies, including five league titles.
Callum McGregor’s importance is undisputed, having amassed a remarkable 26 honors as one of Celtic’s most decorated players, with 11 league titles to his name. In 576 appearances, he has scored 77 goals and provided 84 assists since his debut in 2014.
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Beyond the Numbers: Intangible Qualities
While statistics such as appearances, goals, and assists are significant, the intangible qualities offered by these players are invaluable.
At 33, McGregor is nearing the end of his career, but his expertise and leadership are irreplaceable. Maeda, aged 28, still possesses the potential for growth, particularly following his World Cup experience with Japan. Likewise, the younger Engels has significant room for development.
Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou praised Maeda’s exceptional closing abilities this summer, highlighting his vital role in the team, while McGregor has been the heartbeat of the squad since 2021 when he succeeded Scott Brown as captain.
The potential departures of these players make them attractive targets for clubs, with Maeda’s failed move to Wolfsburg in 2025 and Engels receiving interest from Nottingham Forest indicating their market value.
While both players had an early dip in form attributed to the disappointment of missed transfers, they rebounded strongly at the season’s end, despite Engels ultimately not making Belgium’s World Cup squad.
Rumors surrounding McGregor’s future have been persistent given his stellar 12-year tenure at Celtic, which includes a significant sacrifice of his international career to stay relevant at the club. However, he expressed a desire to continue with Celtic, provided the club remains committed to success.
With his experience, McGregor has one more major move left in his career despite being under contract until 2028. Conversely, Maeda’s contract expires in a year, pressing Celtic to make decisions quickly.
Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda proved their worth as Celtic achieved a domestic double last season. [SNS]
O’Neill’s Vision for the Season
Celtic kicks off their season with a home match against Dundee on August 3, followed by a trip to Kilmarnock and a League Cup tie the weekend of August 15-16. The club is also gearing up for crucial Champions League play-off matches later in August, aiming to avoid a repeat of last season’s penalty exit at the hands of Kairat.
Following his confirmation as manager, O’Neill mentioned his intent to enhance the squad. Since then, Duran has been signed, along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during contract negotiations with several players.
O’Neill has shared insights into his desired playing style for the upcoming season, emphasizing the need for purposeful possession of the ball.
However, until Celtic takes to the pitch, understanding O’Neill’s plans remains challenging. The loss of Engels or McGregor would create significant gaps in midfield, while Maeda’s departure would pose a notable challenge given his versatility.
Persistent Speculation Surrounding McGregor
Rumors about McGregor’s future have been prevalent since early this year, coinciding with a period of upheaval at the club following Wilfred Nancy’s brief management tenure before O’Neill’s return.
Having made almost 600 appearances, McGregor has nothing left to prove at Celtic. He has consistently led on and off the pitch since taking over captaincy from Brown.
It’s logical that former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers might be interested in McGregor for a position in Saudi Arabia, where he had great influence during both of Rodgers’ stints in Glasgow.
Celtic finds itself in a strong position regarding McGregor’s contract, which has two years remaining. This means they will likely receive substantial compensation should he decide to leave.
McGregor’s switch to the same agency as Rodgers may seem coincidental but could prompt O’Neill to clarify any rumors with him directly. While both the manager and fans hope for McGregor’s commitment to Celtic, speculation is expected to persist.