Arne Engels has enjoyed a mercurial 18 months, during which time the Celtic man has transformed from a little-known youngster in his homeland to featuring front and centre in the Champions League.
Joining Augsburg from Club NXT, the youth wing of Club Brugge, in January 2023, he made over 50 appearances at the Bundesliga outfit before securing a record £11 million move to Glasgow this summer.
Four games into his Celtic career, Engels has notched two goals and two assists for his new club, sprinkling some stardust in Brendan Rodgers’ engine room as his reputation continues to grow.
With every passing appearance, the 21-year-old is emerging as a high-calibre option and has prolonged the conveyor belt of talent at the club amid his excellent performances.
Set to return to Germany with Celtic next week as they take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Engels has recounted his rise to prominence and how an early introduction at Signal Iduna Park sent him on the way to stardom.
Arne Engels prepares to return to Germany with Celtic
Per Mailsport, Engels has opened up on the whirlwind experience of playing at Signal Iduna Park in January 2023, where he claimed an assist in a 4-3 defeat against Borussia Dortmund, who fielded the likes of Jude Bellingham, Matt Hummels and Donyell Malen on the day.
He stated: “It was crazy, but it did bring the best out of me. Augsburg were already a long time in the Bundesliga. They were in the middle of the table or a bit below. So, it’s obvious that Dortmund was expected to win easily, but it wasn’t like that. It was a good game.
“It was a 4-3 defeat. Every time 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3. It was amazing to play in. Also, I grabbed an assist. It was a perfect night for me.”
Engels will be hoping to come out with some form of quantifiable result next week, even if the challenge that awaits is a stiff one for Celtic against last year’s Champions League finalists.
Arne Engels has cemented a place in the starting line-up
You would assume that Engels would go straight in as a starter due to his transfer fee, but it is still easier said than done amid the competition for places in Rodgers’ engine room.
Either way, Celtic have an exciting talent on their hands. Not only is he starring at club level, but the 21-year-old is now a fully-fledged Belgian international after making his debut for the Red Devils in the last international break.
In context, that is quite the achievement for someone plying their trade in Scotland. It is also an indication of the Bhoys’ ambition to attract players capable of making their mark at a higher level while in green and white.
This is just the start for Engels at Celtic. Hopefully, he can continue to develop at his current rate under the stewardship of Rodgers.
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