In a surprising turn of events, Celtic declined Nottingham Forest's £25 million offer for midfielder Arne Engels on deadline day. Forest had previously bid £14m and £17m, but Celtic held firm. This decision raised eyebrows, especially as Celtic has profited from player sales in the past, including Kieran Tierney and Jota. The move signals a shift in strategy.

Engels, a record signing at £11m, arrived in Glasgow with high expectations. He impressed in his first season with 10 goals and 13 assists. However, Celtic is in a tight Premiership title race and manager Martin O'Neill clearly values Engels' contribution. The club's recent financial situation and struggles to bolster the squad also likely played a role in the decision.

O'Neill expressed delight at the board's choice, viewing it as a "major statement." Selling Engels without a replacement would have weakened the midfield. With key players like Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren, the team is aiming to win the league and compete in the Scottish Cup and Europa League. Fans are divided on the decision's wisdom.

Ultimately, Celtic's decision to retain Engels reflects the importance of his role in the team's pursuit of silverware. It also highlights the club's desire to compete for trophies this season. Whether Engels remains content is unknown, but his value to the team is undeniable. It remains to be seen how this impacts the season.