Arne Engels has started back-to-back games over the Christmas period for Celtic.
On the one hand, Brendan Rodgers is rotating his squad to keep everyone fresh, because of injuries and illness.
But he is also rewarding several Celtic players for their performances, as the competition within the squad increases, along with the team’s form.
After putting four goals past Motherwell on Boxing Day, Celtic did the same to St Johnstone to move 14 points clear at the top of the Premiership table.
This was aided by Rangers dropping points again ahead of the Glasgow derby at Ibrox on Thursday.
Given that Engels started the clash against St Johnstone, you wonder if the summer signing will keep his place in the XI for the Ibrox trip.
Pat Bonner doesn’t want Celtic fans to be ‘too critical’ of Arne Engels
Celtic have learnt from Nicolas Kuhn that patience is important with players because he went from struggling at first to transforming into a first-team gem.
Engels has also had a mixed time following his big-money summer transfer, but Pat Bonner thinks he performed well against St Johnstone.
The legendry goalkeeper thinks, in time, the Belgium international will transform into a ‘brilliant’ player for the Bhoys, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.
“He played well today, though,” said Bonner about Engels’ performance. “I thought he got himself into some really good positions inside the box. He had a shot in the first half that was well saved. That brilliant ball in there for Kyogo’s goal.
“I think he has done well. Young players will go through that (criticism). There will be troughs where they have to find a way to manage through it. That’s the manager’s job also.
“The fans can’t be too critical of young players because I think he has the potential to go on and be a brilliant player, as the years tick on.”
Engels’ stats for Celtic this season
Callum McGregor was rested for the St Johnstone game and he will come back into the XI for the match against Rangers.
You suspect the skipper will start alongside Reo Hatate, it’s just a case of who plays alongside them, with Paulo Bernardo pushing Engels for that starting spot.
One thing is for sure, in back-to-back starts, Engels has performed well and has taken his goals tally for the season to five.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Premiership | 15 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 794′ |
 | UEFA Champions League | 6 | 1 | 3 | – | 407′ |
 | League Cup | 3 | – | 4 | – | 142 |
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