- Engels is ready to signal for the English Championship aspect this weekend for a price within the area round £22million.
- Celtic have already introduced in German Beneath-21 internationalist Mika Baur, and are being strongly linked with Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis.
- O’Neill can also be hopeful of including cowl at left-back over the approaching days, with Chelsea’s Landon Emenalo being thought of for a mortgage transfer.
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Martin O’Neill nonetheless hopes to land a direct alternative for Arne Engels in time for subsequent week’s Champions League play-off — regardless of making Mika Baur his fourth summer season signing.
Belgium worldwide Engels was final night time placing the ending touches on a £22million transfer to West Ham which can see Celtic double their cash on the midfielder.
Having struggled to get offers throughout the road earlier within the window, Celtic have now spent an preliminary £27m to signal Camilo Duran, Kasper Hogh, Haissem Hassan and Baur. However whereas O’Neill is delighted with the incomings to this point, he feels that Engels’ profile hasn’t been changed.
Gvidas Gineitis, Torino’s Lithuanian worldwide, is believed to be on Celtic’s wished record.
Hopeful that there shall be additional additions forward of Wednesday’s Champions League play-off with Austrian aspect LASK, O’Neill mentioned: ‘Mika is a very nice footballer who can break issues up and manoeuvre the ball. He’s not the largest on the earth.
‘We at all times felt that if Arne left — and we have been hoping it was to not be — we might be in search of a box-to-box midfield participant with actual physicality. And that’s one thing we might nonetheless take a look at.
22-year-old Arne Engels is ready to finish a swap to West Ham United over the approaching days
‘I do know the switch window is urgent, and we’re not getting every thing in earlier than these Champions League video games. It could have been good, however we’re the place we’re. I’m significantly delighted to get the boys in.’
O’Neill can also be hopeful of including cowl for Kieran Tierney at left again with Chelsea’s Landon Emenalo being thought of for a mortgage transfer. Celtic are additionally available in the market for a goalkeeper.
‘I believe he’s a extremely tremendous younger participant,’ O’Neill added of Emenalo. ‘I believe that clearly we want that place coated due to Kieran.
‘Kieran did exceptionally nicely final season. Having been plagued with accidents at Arsenal, he got here roaring again, which was nice. And this younger man has undoubtedly acquired expertise.
‘He’s acquired a little bit of an harm in the intervening time. We’re hoping that that can clear up shortly. And if it does, and I believe it is going to, I’d like to have him.’
Celtic can add two gamers to their squad to face the Austrians up till Tuesday night, though Engels will create a 3rd place when his deal is confirmed.
Requested if he anticipated extra to come back in earlier than then, O’Neill mentioned: ‘It could be good. I believe that we’re making progress.’
In the meantime, the Celtic boss has confirmed that Alistair Johnston faces a spell on the sidelines after aggravating the hamstring that value him a piece of final season.
Mika Baur has been tipped to make a giant impression having made the transfer from Paderborn
The Canadian was the topic of curiosity from Everton, however that shall be placed on the again burner till January on the earliest.
‘He’ll be out for just a few weeks,’ mentioned the supervisor. ‘By the point he’s match it will likely be previous the switch deadline.
‘He’s been very stoic about it actually. He performed at an excellent World Cup. He performed right here, did a bit of bit of coaching with us, we put him into the opening sport. He acquired by way of that.
‘It’s only a disgrace for him. It’s not long run. It’s one thing that he’ll recover from. And he’ll be again. He’s a extremely good participant.
‘Disappointment maybe. Perhaps that disappears. He’ll be again and be raring to go.’
