{"id":265882,"date":"2026-10-04T16:15:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T16:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/04\/celtic-already-have-the-new-engels-but-hes-never-played-a-single-game\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T16:15:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T16:15:12","slug":"celtic-already-have-the-new-engels-but-hes-never-played-a-single-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/04\/celtic-already-have-the-new-engels-but-hes-never-played-a-single-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtic already have the new Engels but he’s never played a single game"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Prior to the current international break, Celtic<\/a> manager Martin O’Neill<\/a>‘s future was thrown into doubt when he admitted that he would have to consider his future at the club.<\/p>\n

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Talk over his situation at Parkhead was quickly silenced, though, as the club gave him their backing, and there has been nothing during the break to suggest that he is going anywhere any time soon.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Jason Cairnduff<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Hoops lost their three games before the break, losing twice to Rangers and once to Ferencvaros, and the Northern Irish coach will currently be plotting a route back to success on the other side of the break.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons why the manager believes that the Scottish Premiership<\/a> giants are struggling is because of the sale of midfielder Arne Engels in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

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\n Why O’Neill was left frustrated with the Engels sale<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Celtic sold the Belgium international to West Ham United for a fee of \u00a322m<\/a> near the end of the window, after he scored 17 goals and provided 22 assists in 100 matches for the club in all competitions.<\/p>\n

Speaking after the window<\/a>, O’Neill said: “Trying to get a like for like (for Engels), we looked at a number of players who could do that. For one reason or another, it didn’t materialise. He’s been a loss in terms of that running power he can give you.<\/p>\n

He added: “In an ideal world, it would have been great to have the likes of Arne. Will we look at that again in January? You’d have to. Very much so.”<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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25\/26 Premiership<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Arne Engels<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Appearances<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

xG<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Goals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Big chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Assists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Tackles + interceptions per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Duels won per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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2.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

O’Neill lost a significant attacking threat from his midfield when the Belgian left to move to England, and Parma loanee Oliver Sorensen has yet to even come close to replacing him, with no goal contributions in his first four matches.<\/p>\n

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\n \"arne-engels-celtic-dunfermline\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Northern Irish boss has been left frustrated by the failure to replace the midfielder’s quality, but that could change if he gives one of his lesser-seen players a chance.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Celtic have already signed their next Arne Engels<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Sorensen has been given opportunities to shine in the number ten role, playing four times, and he should be dropped to make way for a player who has yet to play a single minute for the Scottish giants.<\/p>\n