Celtic kept hold of the player during the January transfer window despite attention from elsewhere
Celtic are back in action this weekend with a Scottish Cup clash against Dundee. They saw their proposed Scottish Premiership fixture against Aberdeen last time out postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The Hoops are sat in 3rd in the table behind Hearts and Rangers.
Martin O’Neill remains in caretaker charge until a permanent new head coach is sounded out this summer. The Glasgow giants cut ties with Wilfried Nancy earlier this winter following his tough spell in charge. They are weighing up their options now and have a big decision to make.
Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche on Celtic ace Arne Engels
Celtic rejected Nottingham Forest’s advances for Arne Engels late in the January transfer window. The Hoops managed to keep hold of the player beyond the deadline on Monday. They held firm and will be relieved to see him stay put in Scotland.
Speaking in his most recent press conference, Forest boss Sean Dyche answered questions from reporter Kirsty Edwards in response to his side’s pursuit of Engels:
Kirsty Edwards: “Not everything went your way (on transfer deadline day). We saw those bids turned down on the day for Arne Engels, and interest elsewhere. How frustrated are you to miss out on him?”
Sean Dyche: “Some is real, some of that news, and some wasn’t. That’s one thing to clear up. There were a number of situations where we felt that we could operate in. But I did say before the window, it’s not just targeting players, whoever they may be, it’s actually getting deals done, and it’s not an easy process.
“I will remind you that there is some talent here, it’s just about getting ready talent. Some are maturing into what it is to be in the Premier League, so that work continues. There are some good signs from the groups. If we could have strengthened, we would, but it’s not easy getting deals over the line.”
Edwards: “Can you give us any details then? Did the three bids go in?”
Dyche: “The only details that you lot make up. I am happy to go with them. I always do. Not you personally, by the way. I saw you laughing like, ‘how dare you?’ You know I get on well with the media, but everyone has a job to do. I would say that.”
What now for Arne Engels at Celtic?
Engels remains at Celtic following Nottingham Forest’s rebuffed advances. It remains to be seen at this stage whether they will come back in this summer. Football Insider claimed last month that RB Leipzig were admirers as well.
He remains under contract until June 2028. Engels, 22, was snapped up by the Hoops for £11million back in 2024. He has since made 89 appearances in all competitions and has scored 15 goals, five of which have come in this campaign. The Opwijk-born man is a Belgium international with four caps under his belt.
Engels started his career at Club Brugge and rose up through their academy ranks. He was a regular for the Belgian Pro League club at various different youth levels before switching to Augsburg in Germany. He subsequently went on to play 53 matches during his time in the Bundesliga and found the net on three occasions.
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