O’Neill confirms approaches for Celtic duo Johnston and Engels

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Martin O’Neill has confirmed that both Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels have attracted interest from English clubs, ahead of their Scottish Premiership opener. 

O’Neill revealed that Celtic, who begin their league campaign against Dundee FC next Monday, have rejected an approach from West Ham for midfielder Engels. 

He also said that Premier League side Everton have shown an interest in Canada international Johnston, though he was unsure whether a bid had been made. 

Engels has been one of Celtic’s standout performers since joining the Glasgow giants from Augsburg in 2024, making 98 appearances across all competitions. 

The Belgian’s 38 Premiership goal involvements (17 goals, 21 assists) are only bettered by Martin Boyle (40), Lawrence Shankland (42) and Daizen Maeda (68) during that time. 

He has also created 140 chances in all competitions for Celtic since his debut. Among players from the Scottish Premiership, only James Tavernier (190) and Will Ferry (145) have managed more, sparking interest in the 22-year-old. 

Engels was the subject of a £25m bid from Nottingham Forest in February, and O’Neill confirmed that West Ham’s recent approach “doesn’t remotely meet our valuation.” 

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 31, 2026

O’Neill also said that he had been informed of Everton’s interest in Johnston by Toffees boss David Moyes. 

“Everton have been in contact,” explained O’Neill. “I’m not sure whether there’s been a bid in there for that one, but they’ve been in contact saying that there would be.

“In fairness, David Moyes did call me last week to say there would be contact.”

Johnston joined Celtic from CF Montreal in 2023 and has gone on to make 122 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing 23 assists. 

He has helped the Bhoys lift four Scottish Premiership titles, along with winning the Scottish Cup three times and the Scottish League Cup twice. 

O’Neill conceded that interest in both players was to be expected, though he wants them to stay, particularly after Maeda was allowed to leave. 

Maeda joined Ipswich Town earlier in the transfer window for a reported £10m fee, with Celtic bringing in club-record signing Kasper Hogh, in addition to Qarabag’s Camilo Duran, as they look to replace his attacking output.

“I felt that something would happen with some of our top players,” O’Neill added.

“I was hoping as each day went past that there wouldn’t be any serious interest. But that was never going to happen.

“But we need players in anyway. And we’re on the hunt for that. We’re getting close. I don’t know how close is close, but we are definitely getting close.”

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