Chris Sutton has described the likely sale of Arne Engels as DUMB.
Last night the Belgian midfielder was named in Celtic’s Champions League squad but it seems unlikely that Engels will be involved in the League Cup tie at Dundee United today.
A debut for West Ham away to Burnley tomorrow seems more likely.
Celtic fans are well used to seeing their better players sold off. The time scale can vary from two to four years but the outcome is usually the same.
In recent weeks there are signs that Celtic have raised the standard of their own signings.
The 21-23 year-olds on the back of one good season appear to have been side-lined.
Between them Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh scored 10 goals in last season’s Champions League.
Getting them back at that level again this season is the target but the exit of Engels reduces the chances of getting past LASK.
SUTTON HAS LONG STANDING RECRUITMENT ISSUES ABOUT CELTIC
Sutton has questioned Celtic recruitment since the January 2025 failure to sign a striker to replace Kyogo Furuhashi.
That decision impacted on their Champions League prospects against Bayern Munich.
Over the next two midweeks the stakes are high as Celtic aim for a return to the 36 team Champions League.
Selling Engels days before the LASK ties doesn’t add up as Sutton told Daily Record readers:
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 in to 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.
I know Mika Baur has come in but he is a different profile. He’s not the biggest and is more of a technical player.
Engels has been involved in Celtic’s pre-season work since day 1 at Lennoxtown on June 26.
He has started both SPFL victories.
Selling now will reduce Celtic’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Martin O’Neill will have to find a new midfield combination. Baur, Luke McCowan, Reo Hatate and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are the current alternatives to Engels.
But with Hogh and Duran settling instantly Celtic are unlikely to suffer a repeat of the double blank they struck a year ago against Kairat Almaty.
Mibbe just me, and I have never claimed to be an expert in football or even recognising talent when I see it.
But I just have never got the hype over Engels.
That’s not to say he hasn’t had games where he has shone, but more often than not he’s just been average for me.
He may have potential, West Ham obviously think he has, but I just think he hasn’t progressed as most should have expected.
Based on that, which is just my personal opinion, it’s hard to imagine that suddenly we have an indispensable irreplaceable player all of a sudden who’s absence could cost us qualification against LASK.
This squad should have enough all things being equal to get through a tie like that without lamenting his departure.