Chris Sutton hits out at timing of Arne Engels sale, whilst Martin O’Neill stresses that Baur is not a direct replacement for the box-to-box Belgian…
9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic reacts to Greg Kiltie of Kilmarnock. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Chris Sutton has hit out at his old club over the timing of the sale of key player Arne Engels, a week before a crucial Champions League playoff double header with Austrian champions LASK. gets underway. The former Celtic striker reckons that the decision is ‘dumb’.
Engels who was named in Martin O’Neill’s 25 man squad for the clashes with LASK is in the process of completing a £25 million move to West Ham United. And Sutton has hit out at the timing of the decision, especially when Martin O’Neill has no direct replacement for the Belgian international who was an inspirational cog in his side’s engine room.
9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Arne Engels of Celtic on the ball. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Sutton told Record Sport: “I can’t for the life of me work out why Celtic are allowing one of their best players to leave on the eve of one of the biggest games of the season.
”It’s just dumb. There’s so much on the line, it’s unthinkable to go into this match in a weaker position – but that’s what is going to happen with Engels gone.
“I get that it’s big money and I understand why West Ham want him now, with the Championship kicking off this weekend. But that’s not Celtic’s problem. They had to look after themselves.
“You only have to look at Engels’ display at Rugby Park at the weekend to see what he brings to Martin O’Neill’s team. He has an energy and drive that is hard to replace, he covers the entire pitch and brings some physicality they need.”
Celtic has completed the signing of Paderborn midfielder Miko Baur, but manager Martin O’Neill was keen to point out that he’s NOT a direct replacement for the outgoing Belgium international.
The veteran Irishman said at his media conference yesterday afternoon: “We always felt that if Arne left, we would be looking for a box-to-box midfield player with real physicality and that is something we would still look at.”
Sutton is right to vent his anger, as losing a key figure such as Arne before such a vital play off double header is undoubtedly a massive blow. It’s clearly a huge gamble and one that will only be forgotten if Celtic do indeed make it past the Austrian Champions who have started their own domestic season splendidly.
Martin O’Neill had previously called on the club to retain both Engels and Alistair Johnston ahead of their respective moves to West Ham and Everton. An injury to the Canadian at the worst possible time for himself looks certain to have frustrated his own Premier League ambitions for now at least while Arne put in an outstanding performance in what turned out to be his 100th and last appearance for the club in the emphatic 5-1 win at Kilmarnock.
Austria ADMIRAL Bundesliga 20262027, Matchday 1, July 31, 2026: Linzer ASK LASK vs. Grazer AK 1902 GAK at Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria. Pictured: Goal celebration, goal, Samuel Oluwabukunmi Adeniran, LASK, against GAK. Photo IIMAGO
Martin O’Neill however looks set to go into the LASK matches without both key players, so is in exactly the position that he wanted to avoid.
It’s a huge gamble for Celtic but let’s hope that Martin O’Neill can guide us through the playoffs successfully.
Celtic head Coach Martin O’Neill looks o during the Scottish Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on August 03, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Before that we have our Premier Sports Cup tie at Tannadice against Dundee United later today and we may see some clues as to the possible solution for the loss of Engels in the team line up this afternoon.
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