O'Neill keen to avoid losing more stars as interest ramps up

Celtic transfer news: Martin O'Neill admits he doesn't want to see more of his stars leave as Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston generate interest Midfielder Arne Engels has been the subject of interest from West Ham, with Celtic holding out for £25m; Nottingham Forest tried to sign the Belgian in January; Martin O'Neill revealed Everton boss David Moyes had called regarding interest in Alistair Johnston. Friday 31 July 2026 15:22, UK Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has reiterated his desire not to lose any more key players during the summer transfer window amid interest in Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston. Sky Sports News reported on Friday that West Ham were in talks to sign the Belgium midfielder, with Celtic holding out for £25m. O'Neill claimed that an offer had been made for the player, but that it didn't "remotely meet our valuation". Meanwhile, interest has been growing in right-back Johnston after an impressive World Cup with Canada, and O'Neill revealed that he had spoken with Everton boss David Moyes over a potential move. "Everton have been in contact," he said. "I'm not sure whether there has been a bid in for that one. In fairness, David [Moyes] did call me last weekend to tell me that there would be contact. But I don't know how far that has progressed, or if it has at all." - Celtic fixtures: Hoops begin title defence against Dundee - Scottish Premiership: Every match across opening weekend live on Sky Sports - Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream the Premiership with no contract It has been a very lopsided window for Celtic thus far, with a total of 14 players leaving the club, including Daizen Maeda to Ipswich, Kelechi Iheanacho to Bursaspor and the end of several high-profile loan deals. The club have signed two forwards in the form of Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh, the latter for a club record fee. However, O'Neill is keen to avoid more departures as his side prepare to begin their defence of the Scottish Premiership title. "I was hoping as each day went past that there wouldn't be any serious interest. But that was never going to happen. Now that you say 14 [players who have left] I'm worried myself. "We did want to build this squad and bring players in anyway. Hopefully they would have stayed at the football club. Alistair did excellent work with Canada and that enhanced his chances. "I think you have to try and do your best to balance everything and try and get new players in and try and hold the players that you have at the same time. That's utopia. Unfortunately, that's not real life." O'Neill was also unsure if Engels or Johnston would be available to feature against Dundee in their Scottish Premiership opener on Monday, live on Sky Sports. O'Neill confident Duran and Hogh can play together Celtic often operated in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 last season, meaning there was only room for one central striker. Having now signed two this summer, O'Neill is confident of finding a way for both Hogh and Duran to play together. "I would think that given the time that the two players should be able to play together without a problem," he added. "I don't know what that means, changing systems, changing all that type of stuff. But, they're good players. "He [Duran] has played out wide as well, so that's encouraging. I'm not so sure that's eventually where I'll play him. I see him being able to play as a striker or just off the striker." Celtic and Rangers battling for Frosinone winger Sky Sports News' Sahil Jaidka & Anthony Joseph: Celtic and Rangers are considering a move for Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis. The Hoops, who came close to signing the 23-year-old in January, have today emerged as potential rivals for Rangers in the race for Ghedjemis. The Algeria international is one of the targets Rangers have been looking at to bolster their options out wide. Ghedjemis also has interest from clubs in Italy, England and in the USA. He scored 15 goals and provided three assists for Frosinone last season as they clinched promotion to Serie A in Italy. His performances landed him a spot in Algeria’s World Cup squad. Rangers are targeting two new wingers after Oliver Antman departed, with other options also in the mix. Sky Sports News revealed Coventry City winger Jahnoah Markelo was another player the Ibrox chiefs were keen on. Meanwhile, Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry and Vaclav Cerny - who had a loan spell at Ibrox - have both been linked with a move, although Cerny’s wages at Besiktas could prove an issue.