Martin O’Neill Confirms January Search for Engels Replacement

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that the club will look to sign a physical midfielder in the January transfer window. The Hoops failed to secure a direct replacement for Arne Engels, who departed for West Ham United during the summer transfer window. O'Neill admitted that the club's inability to sign a player with a similar physical profile was not due to a lack of effort.

Although Celtic signed Mika Baur, Joel van den Berg, and Oliver Sorensen, O’Neill does not view them as direct replacements for Engels' running power. Celtic explored several options late in the summer, including a collapsed move for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. O'Neill emphasized that Celtic needs strong, mobile running players to improve upon last season's squad.