​Over the weekend, quotes attributed to Martin O’Neill are unlikely to placate Celtic supporters regarding this summer’s transfer activity or the lack thereof. The club’s only confirmed addition so far is Colombian striker Camilo Duran, who arrived from Qarabag in Azerbaijan, as the Scottish champions attempt to reshape a squad that narrowly missed retaining the league title to Heart of Midlothian last season. O’Neill has reportedly come to terms with the reality that Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda may be pushed toward exits, and he plans to hold discussions with captain Callum McGregor about his future, as the skipper is said to have agreed to a new agency contract. BBC Scotland examines the value and significance of each player in question and what their potential departures could mean for O’Neill and the club in Glasgow.
So, who has your Premiership club brought in and let go this summer? The emphasis here is on Celtic’s market activity, including whispers and confirmed movements. The manager’s apparent acceptance of change extends to Engels and Maeda, with gossip suggesting both could depart. Engels joined Celtic in the 2024 transfer window from Augsburg in the Bundesliga. While not a direct replica of Matt O’Riley’s profile, Engels was effectively viewed as a replacement for O’Riley, who departed to Brighton & Hove Albion after netting 19 goals in 49 appearances in the previous season. The 22-year-old Belgian international has yet to reproduce similar numbers at Celtic, though O’Riley’s early spell also required time to adapt before real productivity arrived in 2023-24.
In 2024-25, Engels delivered ten goals, and he scored seven in the previous season, signaling that he can be a regular source of goals from midfield. His contributions extend beyond goals, with eight assists last season alone, underscoring his overall impact on Celtic’s recent successes, including crucial late-season performances in trophy clashes—such as the league decider against Heart of Midlothian and the Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline Athletic.
Maeda’s form perhaps peaked in 2024-25, when he scored 33 goals in 51 appearances, a figure that sits alongside double-digit tallies in three other full seasons with Celtic, including 17 goals in 2025-26 and eight in the second half of the 2021-22 campaign. Maeda’s 38 assists have been instrumental in delivering a haul of silverware—ten pieces in total, including five league titles—during his Celtic tenure. Yet, beyond numbers, his value lies in the versatility and pace he offers, which has made him a constant threat and a key option for the management in big matches.
McGregor’s role remains pivotal. He is one of Celtic’s most decorated players and the club’s captain, boasting 26 honours, including 11 league titles. Since his breakthrough in 2014, the former Scotland midfielder has contributed 77 goals in 576 Celtic appearances and provided 84 assists, reflecting a career defined by reliability and leadership as much as flair. Of course, the significance of McGregor is not merely in statistics; at 33, he sits closer to the twilight of his playing years, and the breadth of his leadership and experience would be difficult to replace.
Yet Maeda, at 28, still carries World Cup experience with Japan and arguably has more prime years ahead of him, suggesting his best days may lie ahead. The same can be argued for Engels, whose youth and potential imply better days to come in the right system or under the right tactical setup. Set against this, there is a tension between securing immediate, proven contributions and planning for longer-term succession. The choices Celtic faces are part of a broader strategic recalibration under O’Neill, aimed at building a squad capable of competing at the highest level in domestic and European competition.
As the summer window continues, supporters will be watching closely to see how the club balances the departures of Engels and Maeda with the arrival of Duran and any other potential reinforcements. The hope is that the changes will not only restore momentum but also address gaps in quality and depth that were exposed in the bid to defend their crown. The outcome of ongoing talks, particularly with McGregor regarding his future and role, will be crucial in shaping Celtic’s trajectory for the coming season.