Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is officially resigned to losing Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels this summer, a gut punch for the club right when they need stability heading into a crucial period.
Celtic's Transfer Tango: Exits and Uncertain Futures
O'Neill is expecting both 28-year-old Japan forward Daizen Maeda and 22-year-old Belgian midfielder Arne Engels to be out the door. Talk about a tough start to the transfer window! O'Neill might *love* to keep Maeda for the final year of his contract, just like club legend Henrik Larsson did over two decades ago, but it truly seems like the manager is resigned to losing him. Then there's the captain, 33-year-old Callum McGregor. O'Neill's gotta have that tough discussion with him about his future, especially after McGregor switched agents amid reports other clubs are circling. And don't forget about Johnny Kenny. The 23-year-old striker had a massive impact helping Bolton win promotion to the Championship while on loan, and now both Millwall and Bolton Wanderers want to sign him permanently. It's a revolving door for Celtic, and O'Neill's got his hands full trying to manage these potential exits.Rangers' Roster Puzzle and The Hunt for Reinforcements
It's not all about who's leaving. O'Neill is still reportedly interested in re-signing 29-year-old forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who's been training alongside Newcastle's William Osula. On the keeper front, negotiations are heating up between Feyenoord and Hertha Berlin for 23-year-old Tjark Ernst, with Celtic and Wolfsburg also in the mix, showing where O'Neill might be looking to bolster the squad. But hold your horses on Benjamin Tahirovic, the 23-year-old midfielder from Brondby. His sporting director says they're open to selling, but there's been no approach from Celtic. Meanwhile, across the city, Rangers manager Derek McInnes is facing his own massive headache. He desperately wants more reinforcements for his squad, but he admitted point blank that players HAVE to move out first. They already had a £5.3m offer for 20-year-old Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl rejected, even though the kid himself wants to complete a move to Rangers despite Besiktas' interest. Elsewhere, Hellas Verona's sporting director Sean Sogliano will listen to offers for 23-year-old Scotland striker Kieron Bowie, but only at the right price. And talk about movement: Beveren has agreed a six-figure fee for 25-year-old Kilmarnock left-back Dominic Thompson, who's off to Belgium for his medical. On the flip side, St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari decided *not* to sign 25-year-old left-back Liam McCarron after his trial, following his departure from Boston United. This transfer window is just wild. So, both sides of the city are feeling the heat in this transfer window. Celtic's O'Neill is bracing for some big goodbyes, while Rangers' McInnes is scrambling to make room before he can bring anyone in. It's a high-stakes chess match, and every move counts big time right now. What's gonna give first?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.