Celtic look to have won a watch with Arne Engels after acquiring the midfielder in a club record deal from Augsburg on deadline day.
Arriving for £11 million, the fully-fledged Belgium international has gone on to register two goals and two assists in his opening four appearances, making an immediate impact domestically and in the Champions League.
With Matt O’Riley’s record departure to Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, Celtic fans would’ve been anxious about their side being able to replicate the impact he made in Glasgow.
Engels has softened the blow and then some, adding a new dimension to the engine room that has left club captain Callum McGregor impressed, labelling the Dendermonde-born man a ‘powerhouse’ after sampling his bright start to life in Glasgow.
The former Scotland international isn’t the only one awestruck by Engels’ vast array of talent. According to pundit Stephen McGinn, he is beginning to gain admirers in high places.
Arne Engels earns rave review from Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, McGinn has revealed that Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans was ‘raving’ about Engels to his brother John after joining up with Belgium for their last international camp.
He explained: “I remember watching Matt O’Riley early into his Celtic career, and he almost looked too good to be true. Arne Engels comes into that category.
“Obviously, £11 million, you expect that Brendan Rodgers has done his homework and he’s going to be a good player, but I didn’t expect him to be this good this early.
“I think he only turned 21 a couple of weeks ago. I remember Youri Tielemans came back to Aston Villa from Belgium, and he was raving about him to John (McGinn). So it’s a brilliant bit of business from Celtic, and it might turn out to be a bargain at 11 million.”
Arne Engels is only at the beginning of his Celtic story
Celtic fans will be excited about what Engels could conjure up this season after his initial innings at the club. He looks to be a threat in both boxes, and you get the impression there is more to come from the Belgian talent.
Brendan Rodgers delivered a perfect summary of what he can offer long-term in Glasgow after his first start against Heart of Midlothian, stating: “He’s going to be a really good player. He’s tall and athletic. He can run, and his touch is good. He presses and counter-presses, I really like him and that’s why we brought him here and at 21 years of age he is only going to improve.”
Encouragingly, Engels also seems like he has plenty of goals in his locker. Despite having yet to score from open play, the 21-year-old has gone close on several occasions; it is only a matter of time until his late runs are rewarded.
For now, enjoy the beginning of what appears to be a Celtic spell that will continue to blossom over the coming months. Anticipation is in the air regarding the former Augsburg man; it is easy to understand why.
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