Celtic needed some big performances against Sturm Graz.
And thankfully, Brendan Rodgers got a few of them. After an abject start, Celtic looked much more creative in the second half.
A deft finish by Liam Scales equalised for the Hoops on the hour mark, before Benjamin Nygren’s header put them in front just minutes later.
In truth, the Swede could’ve had a hat-trick on the night, such was the level of chances that Celtic created. A red card for Sturm’s Tochi Chukwuani buried the Austrians.
Another positive performer was Arne Engels, who got the assist for Nygren’s equaliser with his typically devastating set-piece delivery.
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic’s Arne Engels against Sturm Graz
Engels started for the first time since late September, with Nygren moving to the right flank in place of Yang Hyun-Jun.
Having dropped out of the Belgium squad since the arrival of Rudi Garcia, Engels will be looking to get regular minutes if he is to be part of their squad for next year’s World Cup.
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Speaking at his press conference after the match, Rodgers hailed one ‘world-class’ trait that the 22-year-old has.
He said: “Arne Engels, I thought, was outstanding in the game, coming back in, gave us that energy and that fight, and his set-piece quality is really world-class, the level and speed at which he delivers. Overall, it was really pleasing.
“I think, in fairness to Arne, in all the European games, when you look last year to the Champions League, he was very very good in them.
“Sometimes it’s been in those games, where it’s really compact and really tight – his qualities, his athleticism and getting around the pitch – of course, if you’re playing against teams that are very tight and compact, then sometimes that can be a challenge, but that’s where he’s getting better.
“I just felt that we needed that triangle back again in midfield, and his response, his work-rate on the training ground, he’s got his reward for that tonight.
“Because I thought he was really powerful and played so, so well. So I’m really pleased for him, and he wants to stay in the team now.”
If Engels can nail down his spot in the first-team, his set-piece delivery will be a crucial weapon in the massive run of fixtures coming up for the Hoops.
Arne Engels’ Celtic career so far
Engels was brought to Celtic Park as the club’s record signing, at a transfer fee of £11 million from Bundesliga side Augsburg.
Understandably, this came with expectation. With Matt O’Riley having departed for Brighton, Engels offered a different profile of midfielder.
Of ten Champions League games last season, Engels started nine. His running power, strength in duels and – of course – set-piece delivery helped the Hoops especially at that level.
But not all Hoops fans are sold on him, after more than a year. Perhaps, with a run of games, he could prove his quality.
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