The Arne Engels mystery deepens

Arne Engels failed to make the Celtic matchday squad for the win against Dundee.

There has been too many instances this season of players returning too early from injury and suffering recurrences.

That has been the case with Alistair Johnston, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcello Saracchi.

Engels suffered a thigh strain during the 2-1 win over Livingston on February 11. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saved the day with a last gasp winner.

ENGELS- TWO MONTHS OUT

Since then the Belgian midfielder hasn’t played. He has been pictured over the last few weeks in training without getting any playing time.

The longer than Engels is out the longer that it will take for him to recover match fitness.

Celtic’s midfield badly needs something different to start exerting an influence of matches

Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Arne Engels will return from injury after the international break.

He urged the Celtic midfielder to add more goals to his game and praised how he dealt with speculation over a January transfer to Nottingham Forest.

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— The Celtic Way (@celticway1888) March 24, 2026

Discussing Engels on March 13, O’Neill told The Herald:

He’s doing fine. He’s here at this minute, but he’s going back. I think there’s a place there, back in Belgium, that he can go to.

He’s had a few days at home as well. I think there was a day during the course of the free week we have, instead of him going back on Thursday, I’ve allowed him to go back on Tuesday.

He will be doing work there, hopefully not just lazing around at home. He should be back, he really should be back after the international break.

On Friday The Scotsman quoted O’Neill saying:

Julian is still recuperating down at Bournemouth and Arne has come back now. We’ll see. Each day is a good day for him. He’s trained most of the week, but we’ll just keep an eye on things at this minute. I couldn’t rule him out or in for Sunday.

Celtic’s midfield badly needs something different to start exerting an influence of matches.

Oxlade-Chamberlain still seems incapable of getting through 90 minutes.

Callum McGregor is getting over-run on fire fighting duties.

Ben Nygren contributes little in midfield but is priceless around goal, scoring 15 in the SPFL.

Reo Hatate showed in 45 minutes at Ibrox that he can turn a match. At Dundee yesterday he never got off the bench.

Injuries have been a blight on Celtic all season. Jota won’t play a single minute.

Getting Engels back and fully involved would be a major boost and shouldn’t be too far away.

Which leaves Johnston and Julian Araujo as the main question marks as Celtic hang on to a challenge to end the season with two trophies.

Celtic’s next match is at home to St Mirren on Saturday. O’Neill will be expected to provide an update during Friday’s pre-match media conference with attention likely to be on Engels’ return date.