Celtic are staring down the barrel of a midfield shake-up this summer, with as many as four first-team central midfielders on uncertain futures.

What’s driving the uncertainty?

The root of the problem is simple: Celtic don’t yet know which of their current midfielders will still be at the club in a fortnight’s time. Reo Hatate is available, but only if a bid meets the club’s valuation. Arne Engels will likely leave if the price is right. Paulo Bernardo’s position is shaky after Paulina’s recent piece flagging him as a potential departure. And Benjamin Nygren, now in his second season, has been linked with moves away despite limited game time.

If Hatate and Engels go, the gap is manageable. If Bernardo and Nygren also exit, Celtic suddenly need to overhaul the entire midfield unit. That scenario would leave the club scrambling to replace four players in one position - a logistical nightmare in a league where rivals are also reshaping their squads.

Why this matters for Celtic

Martin O’Neill’s talk of changing the team’s system only heightens the urgency. The new style demands a specific profile: a Neil Lennon-style ball-winner - someone who breaks up attacks, gets in opponents’ faces, and sets the tempo. Celtic haven’t had a player like that in years.

Even if only Hatate and Engels depart, the club must bring in at least two midfielders. The squad can’t afford to lose more than two without risking a midfield drought come August. Squad management isn’t just about selling; it’s about timing. You can’t press the “buy” button until the “sell” button is confirmed.

Who is likely to stay - and who might go?

Hatate’s future hinges on a bid matching Celtic’s valuation. The club won’t sell for less - and until that concrete offer arrives, he remains a Celtic player. Engels, meanwhile, is the most likely to leave if the right price is met.

Nygren, despite limited minutes, has no automatic right to a transfer. If Celtic decide to block a move, he’ll stay. Bernardo still has work to do to prove his place, but a thinner midfield could hand him more starts. That alone isn’t enough to guarantee his future, but it’s not a disaster if he remains.

What happens next?

Celtic need to act fast, but carefully. The club has likely identified targets, but can’t sign them until the outgoing picture clears. The balancing act is brutal: sell too early and you’re left short; sell too late and you overpay for replacements.

The most pressing need is a ball-winner. Without that profile, O’Neill’s system shift risks falling flat. Celtic must secure at least one such player - and fast - before the transfer window’s first deadline passes.