Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says he is disappointed to be losing Arne Engels to West Ham, but accepts it is a move he has to make.
The Hoops rejected a £25m bid from Nottingham Forest for the Belgium international in the winter transfer window and Engels was keen for a move to English football.
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Speaking at a media conference ahead of Saturday's Scottish League Cup second-round tie against Dundee United, O'Neill said: "West Ham wanted him to be available for the opening day of the season. Naturally disappointed, really, that he's leaving the football club, he's done very well for us.
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"And it's hard to dissuade him of that. If it hadn't come up, I think he'd have been happy. Even though the offer came in very late from Nottingham Forest in January, he never moaned about it at all.
"So it's an opportunity for him and it's really hard for him to turn it down."
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Arne Engels joined Celtic for £11m in 2024
Engels moves ahead of Celtic's Champions League play-off first leg against LASK next Wednesday but O'Neill understood why Engels was keen to complete the transfer, especially after Alistair Johnston suffered a leg muscle injury amid interest from Everton.
"Ideally, I'd love him to have stayed and maybe completed after the two games," said the 74-year-old, who is fully back to work after a medical procedure last week.
"It probably wasn't going to happen. You've got a concern, I suppose, with the fact that Alistair played for us when there was an offer on the table, hurt himself, maybe things like that there may disappear.
"I suppose Arne was probably worried the same sort of thing might happen. From a playing viewpoint, I probably can understand that."
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Alistair Johnston picked up the injury in Celtic's Premiership win at Kilmarnock
Canada right-back Johnston went off at half-time in Celtic's 5-1 win at Kilmarnock on Sunday.
"He'll be out for a few weeks," O'Neill said. "By the time he's fit, he'll be past the transfer deadline. He's been very stoic about it, really.
"It's a shame for him but it's not long-term. It's something that he'll get over and he'll be back."
Celtic signed Egypt winger Haissem Hassan and Germany Under-21 midfielder Mika Baur this week and O'Neill expects further arrivals.
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Mika Baur has joined Celtic from Paderborn
One could be Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo as a loan back-up to Kieran Tierney after the 18-year-old was given a tour of Celtic's Lennoxtown training centre this week.
"I think he's a really fine young player," O'Neill said. "Obviously we need that position covered. Kieran did exceptionally well last season, having been plagued with injuries at Arsenal. He came roaring back, which was great.
"And this young man has definitely got talent. He's got a bit of an injury at the moment. We're hoping that that will clear up shortly. And if it does, and I think it will, I'd love to have him." %!s()
Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group have sold a stake in Liverpool Football Club to a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The world's third richest person is part of the group fronted by former QPR co-owner Amit Bhatia. Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin is also part of the syndicate.
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Sky Sports Vinny O'Connor explains why FSG have sold a minority stake in Liverpool to the Bezos-backed consortium
According to Sky News, the consortium has agreed to buy a roughly one-third stake in the club in a deal that values Liverpool at more than 7bn (£5.2bn). Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
We take a look at some of the key questions surrounding what the deal could look like...
Who are Bezos and Bhatia?
Bezos is one of the most famous businessmen in the world and the owner of e-commerce giant Amazon, which he founded in 1994 out of his Seattle garage.
His other investments include aerospace company Blue Origin and venture capital firm Nash Holdings, which is the ownership vehicle for The Washington Post.
Bhatia is a 46-year-old British Indian entrepreneur, who has an investment banking background.
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Amit Bhatia is the former co-owner of Queen's Park Rangers
He currently manages a multi-asset investment firm called AyBe Capital which invests in range of diversified sectors including technology, media, property and real estate, consumer retail and health.
Bhatia is married to Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, who is the daughter of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal.
He leads and manages 1892 Holdings, the consortium that has agreed the minority investment in Liverpool with majority owners Fenway Sports Group.
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What are they worth?
Forbes estimates that Bezos' personal fortune is in the region of $281bn (£209bn), making him the third-richest person in the world behind Elon Musk and Google co-founder Larry Page.
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Sky News' Mark Kleinman discusses Amazon founder Bezos' involvement in the consortium
It's unclear how much Bhatia himself is worth. But his father-in-law, billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, is worth an estimated £23.2bn according to Forbes. That makes him the 72nd richest person in the world.
What are their sporting interests?
Bezos is a big American Football fan and has previously been reported to have explored bids for the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks.
He is not known to hold a significant stake in any other sports team or enterprise currently.
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Bezos is known to be a big American Football fan
Bhatia was just 28 when he joined the board of directors and became vice-chairman of QPR in 2007 after the Mittal family bought a 20 per cent stake in QPR, joining Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore as investors in the London club.
He spent five years as QPR chairman between 2018 and 2023 and stayed on as a director and co-owner until earlier this week when he transferred his stake in the club to majority owner Ruben Gnanalingam.
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We take a closer look at Amit Bhatia
Through AyBe capital, Bhatia is an investor in TGL - Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods' golf league which fuses golf and technology and features six teams with some of the best players in the world in a season-long competition.
His firm also invests in Switch Hitter, which is a media brand founded by Kevin Pietersen, delivering exclusive interviews and content with the world's top cricketers.
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Rajasthan Royals were one of the most sought-after IPL cricket franchises
Earlier this year, Bhatia's father-in-law acquired a 75 per cent stake in the Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League cricket franchise.
Why have FSG decided to sell?
FSG were under no pressure to sell but did indicate in 2022 that they were open to new investment in Liverpool, with the sale of a small stake to Dynasty Equity completed the following year.
Liverpool have enjoyed huge success under FSG, lifting every major trophy available to win.
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Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explains what a 'strategic minority stake' is
FSG may think it is mission accomplished somewhat as far they are concerned, and therefore were amenable to fresh investment. They also stand to make a huge profit on their initial investment, with the deal for a 30 per cent stake worth more than five times what they paid for the entire club back in 2010.
How much have the consortium bought?
According to Sky News, the consortium is acquiring a roughly one-third stake in the club.
What is the club valued at?
Liverpool are the fourth most valuable club in the world. The consortium's investment in Liverpool values the club somewhere in the region of £5.2bn ($7bn), making it one of the sport's richest-ever deals.
Who owns Liverpool?
FSG have complete operational control of Liverpool, but private equity firms RedBird Capital and Arctos Sports Partners hold minority stakes in the club. Dynasty Equity are also passive investors in Liverpool after injecting £164m into the club in 2023 in a deal valuing Liverpool at more than $4.5bn.
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The Anfield home of Liverpool Football Club
How much did FSG pay for Liverpool?
FSG were known as New England Sports Ventures when they paid £300m for Liverpool in October 2010 after a tumultuous period under former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillette.
When will the deal go through?
The deal - which was first reported on at the end of last month - has accelerated at a rapid pace. Now that everything has been agreed, the closing of the transaction will happen after regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions are met.
Who else is involved?
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and his wife Elaine are also part of the syndicate of investors. Saverin, 44, was part of a consortium which assembled an unsuccessful takeover bid for Chelsea during the 2022 auction triggered by Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. %!s()
The RFU has postponed the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday September 21 due to "concerns about player welfare and pitch conditions".
The RFU had already contacted clubs, schools and colleges, players and coaches to remind them of the existence of guidance surrounding the management of rugby pitches in drought conditions and the Natural Turf Pitches (NTP) Surface Risk Assessment to assess whether a pitch is safe to use and to mitigate the risks of injury.
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The prolonged dry weather in many parts of England has left many grounds across the country unsuitable for safe full-contact activity.
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After gathering feedback from representatives across different regions and discussing the options within competition committees, the RFU has decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season nationwide.
Sir Bill Beaumont, president of the RFU, said: "We know this decision will be disappointing for the clubs, schools and colleges, players, volunteers and fans looking forward to the start of the season, and we do not underestimate the impact it will have across the game.
"This has been a carefully considered decision. After listening to views from across the community game and weighing up the options available to us, we believe that delaying the start of the competitive season nationwide is the right course of action.
"While we recognise that not everyone will agree with this decision, making it now provides greater certainty for clubs, schools and colleges as they prepare for the months ahead.
"On behalf of everyone at the RFU, I would like to thank all those who have shared their views and contributed to discussions in recent days.
"Player welfare and readiness have been central to our thinking throughout, alongside our desire to give the season the best possible opportunity to begin on a fair and consistent footing across the country.
"We also wanted to provide clarity as early as possible to help the volunteers, staff and organisations who work so hard behind the scenes to plan and prepare for the season."
Formula 1 returns after its summer break as the second half of the 2026 season begins with a Sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix.
This is also the last Dutch Grand Prix as the event has not been renewed beyond this year, so the Orange Army will be out to support Max Verstappen racing on home soil for potentially the final time in his career.
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Verstappen is yet to win a race this year but could play a key role in the title race as Kimi Antonelli looks to remain in control of the Drivers' Championship.
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Antonelli leads Lewis Hamilton by 50 points and George Russell by 59 points but that advantage could quickly disappear, particularly if Ferrari continue to bring upgrades.
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The F1 Drivers' Championship with 12 rounds remaining
On paper, the Zandvoort circuit should suit Ferrari as it does not feature many straights but McLaren's Lando Norris won last time out at the twisty Hungaroring and should also be a threat.
Oscar Piastri won last year's Dutch Grand Prix, which is currently his last victory in F1, and the Australian needs to rediscover that form again in the second half of this season.
It is also a big race for Russell, who got engaged to his long-term partner Carmen Montero Mundt over the summer break, given Antonelli's superb recent form.
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Highlights of the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix from Zandvoort
Dutch GP circuit: Zandvoort track layout
Zandvoort is one of the drivers' favourite tracks thanks to its high-speed corners and banked bends at Turn 3 and the flat-out final turn.
It can be tricky to overtake with only one long straight down to Turn 1 so track position is critical and we could see a similar race to Hungary last time out.
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Ferrari's Charles Leclerc pulls off an audacious pass around Mercedes' George Russell at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix
Dutch GP weather at Zandvoort
Cooler conditions compared to much of the European summer are expected for the Zandvoort race weekend, with temperature highs in the low 20s. There is also a chance of light showers.
Dutch GP dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1's live schedule
Thursday August 20 1pm: Drivers' Press Conference 4pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday August 21 11am: Dutch GP Practice (session starts at 11.30am) 12.55pm: F1 Academy Practice 2.30pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference 3pm: Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 3.30pm)
Saturday August 22 8.15am: F1 Academy Qualifying 10am: Dutch GP Sprint build-up 11am: DUTCH GP SPRINT* 1.30pm: F1 Academy Race 1 2.20pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up* 3pm: DUTCH GP QUALIFYING* 5pm: Porsche Supercup Race 1
Sunday August 23 9.35am: F1 Academy Race 2 10.50am: Porsche Supercup Race 2 12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up 2pm: THE DUTCH GRAND PRIX 4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP reaction
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
How to watch or stream the Dutch Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland
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TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from Practice on Friday afternoon to the Dutch Grand Prix itself on Sunday August 23 at 2pm
App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app - with the option to go onboard with any driver!
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Liverpool's owners have agreed to sell around a third of the club to a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The deal will see Bezos participate in an investor group of a syndicate which is led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal and until recently a shareholder in Championship club Queens Park Rangers.
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The deal installs some of world's wealthiest individuals as co-owners of Liverpool.
Key questions answered on consortium involving Bezos
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Bezos alone has a fortune estimated by Forbes at over £207bn ($280bn). This marks his first foray into sports ownership, although he will not join Liverpool's board as Bhatia will be vice-chair.
Their investment in Liverpool values the club somewhere in the region of £6bn ($6-7bn), making it one of the sport's richest-ever deals.
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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has an estimated fortune of over £207bn
'Investment will enhance objectives on and off the pitch'
FSG says the deal "supports Liverpool's long-term growth ambitions by bringing together experts from across global business, technology, and investment.
"The consortium partners will work with FSG and the club's leadership team to evaluate opportunities that enhance the club's objectives on and off the pitch
"FSG continues to retain majority ownership and operational control of Liverpool."
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Amit Bhatia (L) is the spearhead of the consortium buying a stake in Liverpool Football Club
Mike Gordon, FSG president, said: "Liverpool has always been built by thinking beyond one season and making decisions with the club's long-term interests in mind. That approach continues to attract interest from respected investors and business leaders around the world.
"As we considered this opportunity, it became clear that Amit and the consortium shared our long-term philosophy and appreciation for what makes Liverpool special.
"Their experience and perspective will complement the strong foundation already in place, and we look forward to working together."
Bhatia said the consortium was "proud to be investing in Liverpool".
Why the deal represents 'a long-term partnership'
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Sky Sports Vinny O'Connor explains why FSG have sold a minority stake in Liverpool to the Bezos-backed consortium
Analysis by Sky Sports News' Vinny O'Connor:
"This is a deal that we knew was going to happen. It values Liverpool at just over $7bn, with this consortium taking a stake of around 30 per cent.
"It's a minority investment and a long-term partnership. FSG will effectively retain majority ownership and operational control of the football club. So, there's no change to the leadership or the day-to-day operation of the club.
"Liverpool were not seeking investment out of financial need either. They look for opportunities when it comes to investment in the football club and it's the sheer calibre of the people involved in this consortium, which is why Liverpool have decided that this deal is right for them.
"There is no new or separate transfer budget associated with this investment at all. Transfer decisions and budget setting will continue to be led by Liverpool's sporting operation and within the financial sustainability model that they have got.
"So, the transaction does not change Liverpool's transfer strategy or football philosophy in the slightest."
Key questions answered over consortium
Sky Sports takes a look at some of the key questions surrounding the sale of a minority stake in Liverpool...
Who are Bhatia and Bezos?
Bhatia is a 46-year-old British Indian entrepreneur who has an investment banking background.
He currently manages a multi-asset investment firm called AyBe Capital, which invests in a range of diversified sectors including technology, media, property and real estate, consumer retail, and health.
Bhatia is married to Vanisha Mittal Bhatia, who is the daughter of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal.
Bezos is one of the most famous businessmen in the world and the owner of e-commerce giant Amazon, which he founded in 1994 out of his Seattle garage.
His other investments include aerospace company Blue Origin and venture capital firm Nash Holdings, which is the ownership vehicle for The Washington Post.
For more on why FSG want to sell a stake and Liverpool's ownership structure, click here.%!s()
