Engels heads toward West Ham medical

Arne Engels is undergoing a medical to complete his transfer to West Ham United, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill confirmed to BBC Sport. The 22-year-old Belgian leaves the Scottish champions after rejecting a multi-million pound offer from Nottingham Forest in January.

O'Neill explained the circumstances: «I would imagine he's probably doing the medical at this moment. Naturally disappointed that he's leaving — he's done very well for us. It's hard to dissuade him when an opportunity like this comes up."

Hammers' deadline pressure

The Celtic boss had hoped to keep Engels until after the Champions League play-off against LASK (first leg next Wednesday), but West Ham needed him available for the opening day of the Premier League season. O'Neill also acknowledged that the injury to Alistair Johnston, his Canadian right-back, hastened the departure: Johnston suffered a leg muscle injury in Sunday's 5-1 win over Kilmarnock and will be sidelined for weeks.

«Arne was probably worried the same sort of thing might happen,» O'Neill said. «From a playing viewpoint, I can understand that."

While Engels departs, Celtic are strengthening: they've signed Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan and German U-21 midfielder Mika Baur this week, and are close to securing Landon Emenalo, Chelsea's young left-back, on loan as cover for Kieran Tierney.