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'This shows the board's incompetence' - Celtic fans fume at 'absolutely mad' transfer update

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football finance journalist specialising in the financial landscape of the Premier League and SPFL. FOCUS Financial analysis, club economics, and data-led coverage across the top flight and Scottish football. THE INSIGHT Ciaran utilises a network of financial and industry contacts to deliver verified, data-driven analysis. He provides the numbers behind the noise to ensure fans understand the fiscal reality driving decisions at the top of the game.

Published on:

01 Feb 2026, 12:30 pm

Celtic fans have once again been left unimpressed by the board as one key player could be moving on before the January window shuts.

The Celtic board has been at the centre of fan protests this season, which stemmed from their lack of activity in the summer transfer window.

The Hoops are also leaving their business late in the January window, despite them being behind both Hearts and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Interim manager Martin O'Neill has talked about strengthening his Celtic squad, but the 73-year-old could instead be hit with a late transfer blow.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Arne Engels update emerges

Nottingham Forest could make a late move for Arne Engels, with Sean Dyche's side exploring whether to pursue a deal for the 22-year-old.

Engels joined Celtic from Augsburg in 2024, and the midfielder has failed to hit the same form which he showed during his debt campaign in Glasgow.

This season Engels has six goal contributions in 22 Scottish Premiership matches, whilst the Belgian international hit 15 in his first campaign at the club.

RB Leipzig have also shown interest in Engels, but a move away from the club is not an objective for the midfielder right now.

Celtic fans believe it would be "absolute madness" if the club were to allow Engels to depart with little time left to find a replacement.

Said it before, will repeat myself ad nauseam, if we sell Engels this window we can kiss the league goodbye. It’s already hanging by a thread. He’s a first pick and he won’t be replaced. Can argue whether he’s the long term answer, but he’s unsellable in this window. https://t.co/85VNME6hxp
— Paul Massie (@PaulMassie) February 1, 2026

This is where the transfer policy - or lack thereof- hits the board in ways they can tangibly process. They don’t care about the fans. That is clear. But this will impact in cold hard cash

Engels is the epitome of a player we should be cashing in on now. And Maeda. 1/2 https://t.co/u8GslW2MQH
— Huell 🍀 (@huell_2) February 1, 2026

Baffling if this goes through.

Rate him or not it’s unlikely we get an adequate replacement for him and then ANOTHER player to supplement the squad. https://t.co/A3omicgL9O
— The Cynic (@90MinuteCynic) January 31, 2026

Nicholson will love this. 🥱 https://t.co/wGRCB7Y4xw
— The Parkhead Faithful (@TheParkheadF) January 31, 2026

If they sanction this without a replacement the board can genuinely feel the abuse coming their way. https://t.co/Y281aTQd7X
— Stacey Devlin (@StaceyDevlinx) January 31, 2026

Whether you rate him or not, selling at this point of the season is absolute MADNESS.

Then again, it’s Celtic and it’s what you’d expect.

This Celtic caper really doesn’t seem like real life.. 🤣 https://t.co/L4MmfbBYfN
— Lee Fitzpatrick (@UncleLroyCFC) February 1, 2026

You just know the board are going to come out in profit after this transfer window don’t you and they will be looking at getting the money back the lost on Nancy and his team 😡 https://t.co/Cuz3NoTkTX
— celtic Jaime 🍀 (@celtic_jaime) January 31, 2026

Given there's very little time left of the window this would be absolutely insane to let him go given we will either not replace him or replace him with an out of form player on loan who's not fit.

The money is irrelevant as shown by the boards incompetence. https://t.co/z9l5FbK8lB
— Liam Dey (@LiamDey) February 1, 2026

He can't go unless the money is right and we splash out on his replacement but that is never going to happen he seems more than happy here anyway https://t.co/ekj6kWuFmI
— Kev 🇮🇪 (@Killer47840134) February 1, 2026

I’m not overly mad on Engels, definitely a player within but regardless if you think he’s top or average, we cannot let him go at this stage! It would be absolute madness and this board would probably replace him with Graeme Shinnie or some nonsense https://t.co/kIEmeDNnjg
— Darren (@drnjc91) January 31, 2026

Celtic make breakthrough for striker

Celtic could still bring a player to Glasgow before the window closes, with O'Neill keen to bolster his attacking options.

An agreement has been reached between Celtic and Freiburg for striker Junior Adamu, with the 24-year-old set to have a medical.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill gazes out from the dugout.

(Credit: Imago)

Adamu has made nine appearances in the Bundesliga this season, scoring just once for a Freiburg side who sit seventh in the league table.

Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis and Lorient's Joel Mvuka have also been mentioned as late additions to the Celtic team, with talks continuing for the pair.

Adamu though would join Tomas Cvancara as the second signing Celtic have made to their attack in January, with the 25-year-old on loan until the end of the season from fellow Bundesliga club Borussia Mochengladbach.

Celtic

Arne Engels