Chris Sutton Slams Celtic's Timing on Arne Engels Sale
Chris Sutton has torn into Celtic’s decision to cash in on Arne Engels now, branding the timing “unthinkable” as the midfielder closes in on a £22million move to West Ham.
The 22-year-old has been a standout at Parkhead and looks set to swap Glasgow for the London Stadium in the coming days after a record-breaking Championship fee was agreed. West Ham want him in the door immediately, with their league campaign kicking off on Sunday – and that, Sutton says, is exactly the problem.
Sutton rages at Celtic timing
Engels delivered seven goals and eight assists in 46 appearances across all competitions last season, driving Celtic through domestic battles and into the early stages of another European push. For Sutton, that makes the club’s decision to sell him on the eve of a Champions League play-off against LASK impossible to accept.
Speaking to the Daily Record, the former Celtic striker did not hold back.
"There's so much on the line, it's unthinkable to go in to this match in a weaker position – but that's what is going to happen with Engels gone.
"I get that it's big money and I understand why West Ham want him now, with the Championship kicking off this weekend.
"But that's not Celtic's problem. They had to look after themselves."
That last line cuts to the heart of his anger. From Sutton’s perspective, Celtic have prioritised the fee over their best shot at reaching the Champions League group stage, willingly weakening Martin O’Neill’s side for the club’s biggest fixtures of the season.
For supporters staring at that LASK tie, it feels like a self-inflicted handicap.
West Ham move underlines Engels’ rise
The fury from Sutton doubles as a ringing endorsement of Engels. A year ago, he was a promising midfielder bedding into life at Parkhead. Now he is commanding a fee that smashes Championship records and being fast-tracked into a promotion-chasing squad in East London.
West Ham’s pull is obvious. Relegation has not dulled their ambition or their ability to tempt prime-age talent away from Champions League qualifiers. The Hammers see Engels as a central piece in a promotion push, and they want him on the pitch as soon as possible.
When Engels could debut for West Ham
If the paperwork is wrapped up in time and registration is completed before noon on 15 August, Engels could make his debut against Burnley. Miss that cut-off and attention turns to the Charlton clash on 22 August, or the EFL Cup tie with Southampton on 25 August.
Whenever he steps out in claret and blue, he will not be short of sharpness. Engels has already gone through a full pre-season with Celtic and has two Scottish Premiership games in his legs. Match fitness will not be the issue; only how quickly he adapts to a new system and the demands of the Championship.
Celtic left lighter for their biggest test
Sutton’s irritation is shared by many around the G40 club. Celtic are about to walk into a Champions League play-off without one of their most influential players, all while knowing that qualification for Europe’s top competition shapes the entire campaign.
They will bank the money. They will move on. But they will do so having strengthened a relegated English club’s promotion charge at the exact moment their own season hits its highest stakes.
West Ham gain a ready-made midfielder and a marquee statement for the Championship. Celtic lose a driving force on the eve of Europe.
If Engels fires the Hammers back to the Premier League while Celtic stumble without him against LASK, the question will linger all season: did they sell at the right time, or simply at the wrong price?
