Key Points
- Martin O’Neill confirmed Arne Engels will miss Celtic matches until the international break at the end of March due to a thigh injury.
- Engels was substituted after 32 minutes in the win over Livingston and was absent from the squad against Kilmarnock.
- The injury could see Engels miss at least eight games, including Europa League ties against Stuttgart and the Old Firm derby against Rangers.
- Celtic rejected a £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest for the 22-year-old midfielder, highlighting his importance to the team.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 16, 2026 – Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Celtic midfielder Arne Engels faces an extended absence due to a thigh injury, sidelining him until the end of March.
The Celtic manager revealed the timeline in a pre-match interview ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Engels, a key starter in 17 league games this season, was forced off after 32 minutes during the midweek victory over Livingston. O’Neill described the injury as comparable to a hamstring problem in severity.
What Did Martin O’Neill Say About Arne Engels’ Injury?
O’Neill stated that Engels will be out until the international window.
“He’ll be out to the international window,”
he said.
“I don’t think, unless he does really, really well in recovery, I can’t see us having him before that finishes, which would be the end of March. It’s his thigh, which is every bit as bad as a hamstring injury in that sense. It’s a big loss for us, absolutely.”
As reported by Celts Are Here of Celts Are Here, O’Neill emphasised the significance of the absence for Celtic’s midfield control, particularly after struggles in recent matches without the Belgian.
How Will Celtic Cope Without Engels?
Celtic recently turned down a £25 million offer from Nottingham Forest for Engels, underscoring his central role under O’Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney. The team introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at half-time against Kilmarnock, where he displayed promising movement and ball retention despite limited recent play. Reo Hatate filled Engels’ spot against Kilmarnock, with O’Neill urging him to focus on form amid transfer speculation.
Which Matches Will Engels Miss?
The end-of-March return means Engels could miss at least eight fixtures, including Europa League play-offs against Stuttgart on 19 and 26 February, the Scottish Cup tie at Rangers on 8 March, and the Premiership Old Firm derby on 1 March. Additional games against Hibernian, Aberdeen, Motherwell, and Dundee United are also affected, with potential Europa League round-of-16 matches extending the list.
What Are the Implications for Celtic’s Season?
The absence represents a major blow to Celtic’s title push and European ambitions, as Engels has been pivotal in providing midfield authority. Football Insider detailed the full list of impacted games, noting the risk of up to 10 absences if Celtic advance past Stuttgart.
The Celtic Star reported O’Neill’s confirmation ahead of the Kilmarnock match, highlighting the six-week lay-off from the Livingston injury.
