Barring the ever-reliable Callum McGregor and top scorer Benjamin Nygren, there is an argument that every other member of Celtic’s midfield department could be on their way this summer, as part of what should be a seismic squad rebuild at Parkhead.
Arne Engels, yet to return from his injury setback, was notably the subject of a £25m offer in January from Nottingham Forest, with further approaches likely to be on the cards at the end of the season.
A belated exit also appears the most likely scenario for both Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to showcase why he warrants an extension on his current short-term deal.
|
Celtic midfielders – 25/26* |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Games |
Goals (Assists) |
|
Nygren |
49 |
19 (7) |
|
McGregor |
48 |
3 (2) |
|
Hatate |
44 |
6 (3) |
|
Engels |
38 |
5 (7) |
|
McCowan |
37 |
3 (2) |
|
Bernardo |
20 |
0 (0) |
|
Ox |
7 |
1 (0) |
|
*all competitions |
||
With Luke McCowan, now in his second season in Glasgow, still yet to nail down a regular starting role too, the Scot’s own position could also be under threat, highlighting the scale of the task at hand for the next permanent manager and the recruitment team.
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It would be fair to say that midfield has been a significant issue since Matt O’Riley’s £25m departure in the summer of 2024, with the elegant playmaker having gone to a new level under Brendan Rodgers, after previously shining under Ange Postecoglou’s watch.
That final 2023/24 campaign saw the Denmark international secure almost talismanic status, racking up 37 goals and assists in all competitions, including netting 18 Premiership goals.
Signed as a relatively unknown youngster from MK Dons on a £1.5m deal, O’Riley is the benchmark when it comes to successful, profitable additions, with Celtic in desperate need of another injection of youth in the centre of the park heading into next season.
With that in mind, Football Insider has reported that both the Hoops and Rangers are still in with a shout of signing 21-year-old midfielder, Silas Andersen, despite the promising talent having only recently signed a new deal with current side, BK Hacken.
As per the report, that contract extension has ‘complicated’ matters when it comes to sealing a move away, although there is still hope for the Glasgow pair, should they manage to secure Champions League qualification.
The added influx of funds from competing in Europe’s premier competition would aid Celtic’s chances of meeting Hacken’s reported asking price, with the Swedish side seemingly willing to accept a figure in excess of £5m-£6m.
Why Andersen could be the next O’Riley at Celtic
While it would require a more significant fee to the one which brought O’Riley to Glasgow, the parallels would certainly be there if Andersen were to be the next midfield arrival at Parkhead.
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He’s been in great form out on loan this season.
In the case of O’Riley, the London-born Denmark star had navigated a tricky start to his senior career, having failed to make the grade at Fulham, prior to dropping into England’s third tier.
That fruitful spell in Milton Keynes ultimately earned the left-footer the move to the Hoops, ultimately racking up 62 goals and assists in 124 games in all competitions in green and white.
Andersen might be a different profile of midfielder, having typically operated in something of a deep-lying role, although he has endured a similar path in recent years.
A future Denmark star, like O’Riley – having been capped at U21 level thus far – the in-demand youngster was notably on the books at Inter Milan in his youth, albeit while having been moved on to FC Utrecht in 2023 without making a senior appearance at San Siro.
Only two first-team appearances followed for the Dutch outfit before Andersen was snapped up by Hacken, with that move thus far proving fruitful with six goals in 48 senior games in all competitions.
Like O’Riley, he has had to take something of a step down in order to rise again, although his form of late has certainly been encouraging, standing out as another eye-catching midfield prospect at 6 foot 3.
In the most recent Allsvenskan season in 2025, Andersen showcased just what a monster he is in front of the back four, averaging a staggering 4.9 tackles and interceptions per game, while recovering seven balls per game on average from his 26 outings.
For comparison, the aforementioned Engels has averaged just 1.3 tackles and interceptions and 1.9 ball recoveries from his 24 Premiership games this season, having also been bettered with regard to total duels won (38% vs 59%), aerial duels won (49% vs 56%) and pass accuracy (84% vs 87%) per game.
Considering too that Engels isn’t streaks ahead either in an attacking sense, with Andersen registering four goals and assists to the Belgian’s six in the league, it highlights why the Scandinavian talent might well be the far more complete midfield option.
With Rangers also in the mix, there might be a fierce battle for the 21-year-old’s signature, but if he can follow in O’Riley’s footsteps, while proving an upgrade on Engels at the same time, then Celtic could be on to a winner.
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