Chaos, Contingencies, and Cash: The Five Biggest Talking Points from Celtic’s Frenetic Deadline Day
GLASGOW — As the clock struck midnight and the January transfer window slammed shut, a collective sigh of relief echoed around Celtic Park. For Martin O’Neill, the month has been an exercise in “ducking and weaving”—a constant battle to deflect speculation while working behind the scenes to patch a squad in transition.
The dust has finally settled on what can only be described as a chaotic final 24 hours. While the Hoops managed to secure a trio of late arrivals to bolster their domestic and European ambitions, the day was defined as much by the players who didn’t leave as those who walked through the front doors. Here are the five key talking points from a whirlwind Deadline Day at Paradise.
1. Doubling Down on Firepower: The Arrival of Junior Adamu
When the window opened on New Year’s Day, the mission statement was clear: Celtic needed goals. The frontline has looked uncharacteristically blunt this season, leading to a desperate search for clinical finishers. While the mid-month acquisition of Tomas Cvancara provided some hope, O’Neill knew he needed a deeper arsenal.
The prayers of the Green-and-White faithful were answered in the final hours as Junior Adamu completed a loan move from Bundesliga outfit Freiburg. Adamu brings a different profile to the attack—a high-pressing, energetic forward who can stretch defenses. With Cvancara and Adamu now in the building, the hope is that Celtic’s goal-shy winter is a thing of the past.
2. The Joel Mvuka “Medical Rollercoaster”
If transfer windows were academic subjects, the Joel Mvuka deal would require a PhD to understand. Following the victory over Falkirk, O’Neill teased that medicals were underway, and it soon became clear that the 23-year-old Lorient winger was the primary subject.
What followed was a saga of “will-they-won’t-they.” A £3 million permanent deal appeared locked in until a red flag appeared during the medical examination. Most clubs would have walked away, but in a dramatic pivot, Celtic renegotiated the terms. Mvuka eventually signed on a loan deal instead, protecting the club’s financial interests while still securing the player’s services. It was a masterclass in deadline-day damage control, though fans are left wondering if the “medical issue” will impact his immediate availability.
[Table: Celtic’s January Transfer Activity]
| Player | From | Deal Type | Position |
| Tomas Cvancara | Mönchengladbach | Permanent | Striker |
| Junior Adamu | SC Freiburg | Loan | Striker |
| Joel Mvuka | FC Lorient | Loan (Option to Buy) | Winger |
| Tuur Rommens | KRC Genk | Loan | Defender |
3. The £25m Stand-Off: Arne Engels Stays Put
While incomings dominated the headlines, the biggest victory of the day might have been a “non-transfer.” Nottingham Forest spent the better part of Monday aggressively pursuing Celtic’s midfield star Arne Engels.
The Premier League side eventually placed a staggering £25 million bid on the table. While the figure was undeniably tempting for a club of Celtic’s size, the board stood firm. Reports suggested that Engels was frustrated by the club’s refusal to let him speak to Forest, but with virtually no time to source a replacement of his caliber, Celtic’s hierarchy chose sporting stability over a massive windfall. Keeping the Belgian is a massive statement of intent for the remainder of the title race.
4. Strategic Flexibility: The Logic of the Loan
Critics might point to the lack of permanent signings on Deadline Day as a sign of hesitation, but there is a sophisticated logic behind the “Loan with Option to Buy” strategy. With a permanent managerial appointment expected in the summer, Celtic have avoided saddling a new boss with long-term contracts for players they might not want.
These three new arrivals are effectively on an extended audition. If they flourish under the lights at Celtic Park, the club can trigger permanent moves; if they struggle, they return to their parent clubs in June. It provides the Hoops with a safety net while giving the incoming summer manager a “blank canvas” to build upon.
5. The Missing Piece: The Midfield “Destroyer”
Despite the flurry of activity, one glaring omission remains: the lack of a defensive midfielder. Celtic’s engine room has often been criticized this season for being too one-dimensional—brimming with creative, attack-minded talent but lacking a physical “destroyer.”
Currently, the burden of defensive transition falls almost entirely on Callum McGregor. Failing to recruit a specialist to sit in front of the back four feels like a missed opportunity that could haunt the side in high-stakes European ties or physical domestic away days. Celtic may “limp through” until May with their current options, but the failure to address this “one-dimensional” midfield remains the only dark cloud over an otherwise productive day.