Celtic Summer Exiles Shine in New Clubs
Celtic’s summer exiles are wasting no time proving they were ready for more.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate all left Glasgow with questions hanging over them – fitness doubts, form concerns, tactical misfits. A few weeks on, the narrative has shifted. Sharply.
Iheanacho catches fire in Turkey
No one has exploded quite like Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Nigerian striker has been reborn at Bursaspor, ripping through defences with the kind of conviction Celtic fans only saw in flashes. Six goals and two assists in his first five league games tell their own story. So does the remarkable detail behind them: he has scored in every single league match so far.
This isn’t a gentle bedding-in period. It’s a statement. A forward who looked stuck between roles in Glasgow now leads the line with clarity and confidence, his numbers already dwarfing expectations for his start in Turkey.
Engels finds his stride at West Ham
Arne Engels’ introduction to English football was far from smooth, but he has started to show exactly why West Ham were willing to pay big and why Celtic banked a record fee for a Championship club.
After a difficult debut, the Belgian has settled quickly. He supplied an assist in a 4-2 win over Wolves, then followed it up with a complete midfield display against Derby County. Six chances created. Eight recoveries. A 3-0 victory with Engels at the heart of it.
The numbers underline his influence, but the reaction tells another part of the story. West Ham supporters have been quick to highlight his quality online, already seeing the blend of creativity and work rate that made him such a valuable asset in Glasgow.
Hatate lights up Burnley debut
Reo Hatate’s move felt different. Late in the window, slightly surprising, and at £6.5m plus add-ons, it was a deal that raised eyebrows as much as it raised funds.
Burnley wasted no time throwing him in. The Japanese playmaker started immediately against Bristol City and did what he does best: he made things happen. Hatate set up Burnley’s opening goal, offering flashes of the vision and ingenuity that made him a fan favourite at Celtic Park.
Burnley still slipped to a 2-1 defeat, but Nicky Hayen liked what he saw. The new Turf Moor manager already knew Hatate from facing him during Brendan Rodgers’ first season back at Celtic, when their sides drew 1-1. This time, he has the midfielder on his side, and the early signs are that Hatate will be central to his plans.
A different kind of Celtic afterlife
Leaving Celtic doesn’t always work. Many players discover quickly that the grass away from Celtic Park can be far less forgiving, the expectations just as high but the surroundings less familiar.
This trio are bucking that trend, at least for now. Iheanacho is scoring for fun, Engels is winning over the West Ham support, and Hatate has walked straight into a starting role and delivered.
For Celtic, it reflects well when former players step out and thrive. For the players, it raises a sharper question: if this is how they’re starting, how far can they push it this season?
