Arne Engels has broken his silence after being hit by a coin thrown by a Rangers fan in last week’s derby.
The Celtic midfielder was pelted by a missile from the stands on January 2.
It was a disgraceful moment during the match where Gers fans seemingly could not even enjoy their side’s lead over their rivals in peace.
Pundits Chris Sutton and Neil McCann were disgusted by the episode which teammate Paulo Bernardo also condemned.
Belgian Engels hit the deck at the corner flag as the coin was passed by referee Don Robertson‘s officials to the police where an investigation is now underway to catch the yob in question.
Now, though, the player has spoken out about the issue and admitted he felt sore initially from the impact.
However, the 21-year-old acted with dignity when he met the media this afternoon before tomorrow’s Dundee United clash as he addressed the controversial incident at Ibrox.
Engels was pelted by a coin thrown by a Rangers fan at Ibrox
“In the beginning it was a bit sore but in the end it was okay,” Engels said.
“It’s not really nice to experience things like that, you just want to play your game and enjoy your football.
“It wasn’t enjoyable that night but it was not a really nice incident.
“Could I shake it off? You always need to switch on, that’s why you’re a football player you have to think on the next situation.
“What everyone is telling you, you need to think on the next situation which is what I did.
“You can look back on it and think it’s not nice, but you need to perform. It was in the last 10 minutes and you still need to play those 10 minutes.
“It’s in a really high level game so there’s no need to do it.”
Engels has never experienced the same in any other country
Engels was asked if he had ever experienced anything similar in other countries having played with Augsburg in the Bundesliga before his record-breaking £11m Celtic move.
And he added: “Sometimes you see things or beer is spilling but not really throwing things on top of your head.
“It’s never nice or good to happen in a football stadium. You’re there to do a job, you guys (press pack) will never experience something like it where someone will throw coins at your head during your work.
“It’s never nice to see it happen or experience it, but in the end you need to go through.”
We told you last week how big-mouth former Watford striker Troy Deeney inexplicably branded Engels “weak” for going down.
The Englishman claimed he would have stayed on his feet and that it was “just a part of rivalry”.
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