Arne Engels is unveiled as a West Ham player. Photo West Ham United
Now that Arne Engels has completed his £25 million move to West Ham, it leaves Celtic with a gaping void in the middle of the park, and one we desperately need to rectify. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is strangely suspended from the next three European matches while Reo Hatate is out of favour and heading for the exit door shortly.
Miko Baur has of course signed, and he looked bright and sharp on his debut against Dundee United on Saturday evening, but he’s clearly not direct replacement for Arne, with Martin O’Neill even admitting as much. Perhaps he is the Hatate replacement?
Several names have been linked with a move, with two names in particular on the list that would be perfect additions to strengthen our midfield, with it looking particularly weak going into Wednesday night’s hugely important Champions League playoff match against LASK, the Austrian double winners from last season.
One of those names Celtic is currentlly being linked with is Gvidas Gineitis of Torino, the Lithuanian International who the club have been tracking for an extended period with interest increasing over the past few weeks.
Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC is challenged by Luca Lipani of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between Torino FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Gineitis won’t come cheap however, with a price valuation of £12 million being mentioned, but we have money in the bank, have just deposited another £22m from the Arne Engels transfer so we’re more than capable of concluding this deal.
The 22 year old is your typical box to box midfielder, with his energy off the ball also a key trait. At 6ft 3in tall the 29 times capped Lithuanian also offers a physical presence, so he very much ticks all the box requirements in regard to filling that void.
Torino FC vs Juventus FC Photo by IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM85058271 – Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC during the Italian Serie A match Photo Nderim Kaceli Turin Italy PA Sport/ABACA – Imago.
His price tag might seem a little steep, but Arne is a fine example of spending big and reaping the rewards, something that Brendan Rodgers was urging the club to do last summer and the Celtic Fans Collective have been pushing the same message since the dismal summer 2025 transfer window closed.
Concacaf Gold Cup-Group Stage-Honduras at Canada Jun 17, 2025 Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN Canada defender Niko Sigur 23 dribbles against Honduras forward Luis Palma 17 in the first half during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at BC Place. Vancouver BC Place British Columbia CAN, Photo Simon Fearn
The other player who is of serious interest is Hajduk Split’s Canadian international Niko Sigur, who would cost around £4 million, and he is reportedly extremely keen to make the move to Paradise.
Sigur is more of a defensive midfielder, who isn’t afraid to get stuck in, but is more than comfortable on the ball, and is suited to breaking up play in the middle of the park, a trait that we badly lack in our midfield.
Neil Lennon’s final match for Celtic. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Maybe Martin O’Neill will recognise many of these traits from his recollections of Neil Lennon playing for him at both Leicester City and of course at Celtic?
The 22 year old is also capable of playing at right back, so is very much a player of great versatility.
Both players would likely cost a combined £15 million, but with the Arne Engels money deposited in the account we can more than afford to splash out and end up with a stronger midfield even with the sale of Arne Engels and most probably Reo Hatate.
Reo Hatate of Celtic Celtic v Middlesbrough, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Celtic Park, – 18 July 2026. Photo Phil Oldham IMAGO/ Shutterstock
Celtic would always state that the intention is to come out of the transfer window stronger than we went into it but actions speak louder than words.
Making these two signings would conclusively prove that the Celtic ambition in the boardroom now mirrors the expectations of the Celtic support for the club to be the best possible version of itself.The Celtic Board. Celtic’s 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee United. Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
It’s not much to ask really.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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