Celtic plan deadline day incomings as Martin O’Neill hopes to keep Arne Engels
Celtic are aiming to complete several deadline-day deals but they could face a major decision the other way amid interest in Arne Engels.
Manager Martin O’Neill confirmed on Sunday deals to sign Freiburg forward Junior Adamu and Lorient winger Joel Mvuka were at an advanced stage and more activity could follow with a central defender on the shopping list.
O’Neill said after the game: “Honestly, I am telling you, I didn’t know anything about it. If they’ve done it, then they must have done it during the game.
“And I would want it rebuffed. Unless it was £100m. And then I think the board would step in there.”
Centre-back Stephen Welsh came off the bench against Falkirk but O’Neill confirmed he could still return to Motherwell on Monday after being recalled from a season-long loan in mid-January.
Elsewhere in the William Hill Premiership, Rangers head coach Danny Rohl is hoping for another addition. “The club will make the final decision, what is on, what is not on,” he said after a goalless draw at Hibernian.
Kilmarnock became the first club to announce a deadline-day signing as DR Congo international Aaron Tshibola – who had two loan stints in Ayrshire between 2018 and 2019 and then played for Killie again in the 2020-21 campaign – returned for a fourth spell at Rugby Park.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who has spent recent seasons in Turkey and Greece, has agreed a contract until the end of the season.
Hibs are expected to sign Bochum right-back Felix Passlack and Croatian winger Ante Suto with head coach David Gray saying: “I do expect a bit of movement.”
Recent arrival Ben Parkinson faces up to 12 weeks out due to an ankle injury and boss John McGlynn said: “There’s a lot of talent there, we feel this move could be very good for us and hopefully we can give him a platform to show the quality he’s got.
“With Ben Parkinson out injured for some time and only Louie Marsh available from our recent additions, I felt we still needed to strengthen in the attacking area and that’s exactly what Ben gives us.”
Aberdeen are expected to sign midfielder Dennis Geiger from Hoffenheim while Adil Aouchiche and Leighton Clarkson could be on the way out.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes revealed on Saturday he would ideally like to sign a striker but a new arrival does not look likely.
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin said there would be “possibly be one going out and one coming in” at Tannadice while rivals Dundee are dealing with interest in defender Luke Graham as well as looking to bring in additions at both ends of the pitch.
There could be movement at St Mirren, who are reportedly in talks with Arsenal over selling Evan Mooney, while David Martindale’s first job as Livingston sporting director may be to look at replacing Mahamadou Susoho, who was recalled by Manchester City at the weekend.