Celtic Summer Exiles Shine: Iheanacho, Engels, and Hatate's Success

Celtic’s summer exiles are wasting no time proving they were never the problem.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate all left Glasgow with question marks hanging over them for very different reasons. None of them has started quietly.

Iheanacho catches fire in Turkey

No one has exploded quite like Iheanacho. The Nigerian has been reborn at Bursaspor, rattling in six goals and adding two assists in his first five league matches.

He has scored in every single league game so far. Every one.

For a striker whose Celtic career never fully caught light, this is a statement. The numbers are not just good; they are dominant. Bursaspor wanted a focal point and, early on, they look to have found one.

Engels finds his stride at West Ham

Engels’ start in England has been a slower burn, but the signs are now strong. After a difficult debut, the Belgian has begun to show why West Ham were willing to break the bank for a player sold by Celtic for a record fee for a Championship club.

He delivered an assist in a 4-2 win over Wolves, then followed it 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 tell one story, the reaction tells another. West Ham supporters have been quick to highlight his impact online, sensing there is real quality there. The composure, the work rate, the creativity – this is the player Celtic cashed in on, now bedding into the Premier League stage.

Hatate lights up Burnley debut

Hatate’s move was the surprise of the lot. Celtic agreed a £6.5m deal with Burnley, plus add-ons, to let the maverick midfielder leave on deadline day. For a player who so often changed the rhythm of games at Celtic Park, it felt like a jolt.

Burnley wasted no time. Hatate walked straight into the starting XI against Bristol City and immediately looked at home. He set up Burnley’s opening goal, showing the same sharp vision and weight of pass that made him such a key figure in Glasgow.

The match ended in a 2-1 defeat, but his individual display did not go unnoticed. Manager Nicky Hayen, who had faced Hatate during Brendan Rodgers’ first season back at Celtic when Burnley drew 1-1 with the Hoops, publicly praised the Japanese midfielder’s performance.

A different kind of Celtic afterlife

Leaving Celtic Park can be brutal. Players often discover quickly that the grass is not always greener once they step away from the intensity, expectation and rhythm of life in Glasgow.

This trio is bucking that trend. Iheanacho is scoring for fun. Engels is winning over a demanding West Ham support. Hatate has walked into the Championship and immediately influenced a game.

For Celtic, it reflects well when former players thrive elsewhere; it underlines the level they have been operating at. For Iheanacho, Engels and Hatate, the early message is clear: their careers did not stall in Glasgow – they were only just getting started.