Celtic’s Summer Squeeze: What Losing Engels and Johnston Would Mean for the Title Race

Celtic are under pressure before a ball has been kicked this season. West Ham want Arne Engels, Everton are circling Alistair Johnston, and Martin O'Neill is doing his best to hold the squad together while simultaneously admitting he can't stop players who want to leave. It's a familiar summer story at Celtic Park, but this time the stakes feel higher.

The Engels Situation Is the One to Watch

Engels is the bigger concern. West Ham came in with a bid that O'Neill dismissed as not remotely meeting Celtic's valuation, and Nottingham Forest had a £25m offer knocked back in February. So the market clearly values him, even if Celtic's asking price sits well above that. The Belgian midfielder only arrived from Augsburg in August 2024, but he's clearly caught the eye of Premier League clubs fast.

At 22, Engels is exactly the type of player who won't stay in the Scottish Prem forever. O'Neill knows it. He basically said as much. Keeping a player whose head could be turned any day isn't the same as keeping a committed squad member. From a betting angle, any prolonged uncertainty around Engels affects Celtic's odds to retain the title, especially in a competitive league where depth and consistency matter.

Johnston Leaving Would Hurt More Than People Think

Alistair Johnston doesn't grab headlines the way a goalscorer does, but his absence would be felt across the pitch. He started every single one of Canada's games at the World Cup, which tells you everything about his quality and his profile right now. Full-backs with international pedigree and that level of consistency don't grow on trees, and Everton under David Moyes tend to target players who do the dirty work well.

O'Neill confirmed Moyes called him directly, which suggests this one is moving quicker than the Engels saga. When a manager rings another manager personally, it usually means business. Celtic fans will be hoping the bid that follows doesn't meet their valuation either, but with Everton needing defensive reinforcements and Johnston at a good age, this one could drag on deep into the window.

Celtic's Rebuild Is Already Behind

The club sold Daizen Maeda to Ipswich and brought in Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran as forward options. Whether those two can fill the gap Maeda leaves is already a question mark. Add in the potential exits of Engels and Johnston, and Celtic are suddenly replacing more pieces than they're adding. O'Neill admitted they're 'getting close' on further signings but couldn't define how close. That's not exactly inspiring confidence.

For anyone looking at the Scottish Prem outright market, Celtic remain favourites to retain the title and rightly so. Their squad depth and infrastructure still put them ahead of Rangers and anyone else in the division. But a weakened midfield and a vulnerable right flank could open the door in the early weeks of the season, and a slow start in the Scottish Prem can have a knock-on effect on morale and momentum.

Our Take on the Odds

Celtic will win the Scottish Prem again in all likelihood. One or two exits won't collapse a squad that has been dominant for years. But the value in backing Celtic at short odds disappears quickly if both Engels and Johnston are sold before the window closes. In that scenario, the gap to Rangers and Hearts narrows, and the each-way options elsewhere start to look more attractive.

If you're building an accumulator around Scottish Prem results early in the season, treat Celtic with a little more caution than usual until their squad picture clears up. A side that's unsettled in the transfer window often takes time to find its rhythm, and O'Neill will need his best players available and focused from the first whistle. Right now, that's not guaranteed.